Hand Quilting and the LQS
 

Shopping at quilt store is not a happy time to me. Since "all" I do is hand-quilt, I haven't had much of a need for them. And to me, it's like shopping at Victoria's Secret. I know there's stuff in there that can make me better, but I rarely step over the thresh-hold...
I have decided to try one of those Aunt Becky quilt-tools, so, I went to the quilt shop to buy one. I think I walked in on a class, because there were about 10 ladies on machines. One of them came to help me, but had never heard of the Aunt Becky (how I wish there was a better name than that!!) so she asked someone else, who knew they didn't have one but would be happy to order one for me. I told her they were just a few bucks off the internet so I'd order one. She didn't care. I thanked them both and left.
I did order two of them when I got to the office. It was quick and easy and I'll have to wait a week or so, but that's ok. When I get them, I'll take them to the same shop and show them what I was talking about. I don't think it will matter. I just feel that they are fat quarters, quilt books, and machine sales stores. I'm not saying that's *all* quilt stores, but I think one of the reasons hand-quilting is a "dying art" is because there's no support in the quilt stores, because there's not much profit to be made on "hand quilting".
I bought my Aunt Becky's on that Connecting Threads website. I figured since I was making an order, I'd look at their thread. So I searched their site for "hand quilting thread" and they showed me some pretty colors, but I didn't see where they were coated for handquilting. Then I searched "hand quilting" and "handquilting" and they showed me the Aunt Becky, some fabric, a pack of needles, some tutorials... and quilting gloves.
I hate to say this... But I guess I'll stick with Joann's and Michaels, AC Moore and Hobby Lobby for my tools and batting and what I can't find, I'll purchase off the internet. I'd love to support the "little guy", but when the "little guy" can't support me, I give up.

Sorry you had such a bad experience :-(

Ashley, I'm so sorry that you seriously aren't supported in your hand quilting. And you're right, I think that all of the stores go where the money is and the money is in the machine quilting....faster turn around= selling more fabric and quilting supplies.
May I just add that I so admire anyone who does hand quilting. I've never tried it, but keep thinking that I will. I, like the majority, want fast results, so I got a long-arm. Sometimes I feel that we all need to slow down and enjoy the quilting process a little more instead of hurrying through it.
Please show us some of your work. I, for one, would love to see it.

Thanks. It wasn't a bad experience, just a waste of time

My favorite LQS is where I learned to hand quilt - it is a small store owned by Mrs/Mr but I get all the attention I can ask for. I am so sorry that you encountered a group that did not think beyond their machines.

It is practically impossible for one shop to have everything for everyone.

Hope you can find a place that supports your passion.

I agree "Aunt Becky" is not very descriptive.

How do you make the thing stay on your finger?

I want an "Aunt Becky" too. Where did you get yours?

I'm really sorry you feel that way about shopping at a LQS. My guess is that they have to base their in-store items on what they think will sell best, and if the last quilt show I attended is any indication, not many people are hand quilting any longer. I think the fact that they offered to order an Aunt Becky for you is a sign they are willing to support your interests. But from a business standpoint, if only one person in 500 (I'm just throwing that number out - it's not statistically reliable!) wants one, it doesn't make a lot of sense for them to keep them in stock.

I like an LQS that is willing to do what they can to accommodate the buyer. Last year I was looking for two Fairy Frost fabrics - my LQS didn't have those two colors, but she offered to order them for me, even though she knew I planned to buy only one yard of each. As it turns out, I bought three yards of each, so I felt better about it, but for all I know, the rest of each bolt is still sitting on her shelf.

I do love Connecting Threads - I've ordered from them in the past and been very happy. Recently I ordered a large ruler, and when it came, it was broken (the packing left something to be desired!), but they immediately sent me a new one at no extra charge and, if I remember correctly, I didn't have to pay for the return shipping on the broken one. It's a great company!

I think it really depends on your LQS. One shop near me does longarm quilting but also supports hand quilters, including having one staff member who is available to help those of us who are learning, at no charge. They carry supplies for both machine and hand quilting.

The other shop in the area is set in a historic village and very often you go in and they've either got a quilt on their frame with several ladies hand quilting or they are marking a quilt for hand quilting. At the same time, they give all kinds of classes, from hand quilting to machine quilting.

I know that I've bought hand quilting thread from Connecting Threads. I believe it was YLI, but I'm not positive. I see that they only offer YLI silk right now, but maybe they are just out of stock.

I understand the frustration,however I had to laugh at the thought of What may have been the look on the ladies face when you asked it they carried aunt becky.

I seldom go into a quilt shop because there really aren't many around me. When I have traveled to one it seems the focus is on what I call "loud" bright modern prints from top name designers, Just not my thing. The closest shop to me is the fabric shack in waynesville,and I am lucky they are fantastic.