Has anyone noticed that alot of on line quilt shopes are closing down for good? In the last week I have got 4 shop letters saying thewy are closing.

quilting has become an expensive hobby and more people have had to go back to work. so there are fewer up-coming quilters than there used to be and the OLQS are suffering like everyone else.

it is a pity, though. just when things were really rolling.

I haven't noticed them closing but I have noticed the ones that I visit now have either free shipping or reduced how much you need to spend to get free shipping.

first of all, i apologize in advance. i didn't mean to imply that stay-at-home-moms weren't working. i meant to say that they were working for no money for the value of their time and effort. when times get hard, often they are the ones that must go back to out-of-home jobs for the income they provide.
that leaves little or no time for hobbies. and the same reason that sends them back into the workplace also prevents them from spending the money that hobbies cost.

so, i am sympathetic and i do understand and please don't be insulted by what i said. i'm very sorry if i stepped on anyone's toes.

I think it is an ever changing marketplace. This is a very challenging time, businesswise. There is less money to spend on hobbies, than usual, and as a result, those companies and shops that were just coasting along on the wave of interest in quilting, and sewing, are the first to fall by the wayside, when the belt gets tightened. I think it would be very hard to make it on a discretionary spending business model these days. What I will be interested to see, is how Bernina, with their new Series 8 machines, do. The thought of introducing a $11,000 sewing machine into this business whirlwind, takes a real leap of faith. I know that it took them a long time to develop this machine but I bet they were saying, "What were we thinking" when this thing hit the fan. Sure there will always be some folks who will spend whatever it takes to satisfy their needs to have fun with their hobby. But it is just that , a hobby. And I think that those people who might have bought those type of machine just got a lot fewer. The sad part is that we will all suffer with the shrinking of the marketplace.

John

I think we are just seeing a "correction" after 5 or 10 "boom" years. Many people and businesses overextended themselves for too long, and now things are going back to what the market can truly bear.

Agreed. But the market for garment sewing has diminished with the advent of cheap WalMart Clothes. And it is not taught in school to the same degree that it once was. The one bright spot, and the thing that kept the sewing machine companies alive, is quilting. Or at least it has been. I was just at my local quilt fabric store, and they have said their business has definitely fallen off. I don't think they are in any danger, but If they go under I will have to travel a long way to get any fabric. Not a good thought to ponder.

John

I do not think you stepped on any toes or insulted anyone. I read your comments just the way you intended them to be read and I think others will too. Don't lose any sleep over this one!!

i've believed this for quite some time now. wondering when it would all end. i couldn't sleep at night if i spent $11k on a machine for a hobby (let alone more than $28k for a vehicle to transport me). but i've never really been extravagant, pretty much just bare bones. i guess we're seeing that it's a 'thank goodness' that more people aren't/haven't been like me!

but then again you still see things like people paying $80 for a Martha Stewart Heart Paper Punch (for scrapbooking) that originally sold for $15 at Michaels.

things that make you go hmmmmmmm . . . .

I have not noticed that any of the internet quilt shops that I frequent have closed or changed their way of doing business. I do know that the economy is tough these days and that a lot of businesses, quilting and otherwise, have had to close their doors. It is a shame, but, luxury items are the first to go and if you are choosing between food for your table and quilt fabric--you are going to pick food. That means those smaller shops are hurting for business and that affects us all. We need to support our LQS whenever possible, or we will have no room to complain when they go out of business.

there's nobody near me except joann's and i complain about them plenty to anyone who listens.

So far no closings for me. Everyone I do business is still up an going. I know quilting is a little pricy so I let newbees use my tools at my house. That saves them a lot so they can buy more fabric. Eventually they will need to buy their own mats, cutters and rulers. I give them 6 months. After that if they are serious about quilting they need to have their own "tools".
Connie

Don't forget to hit the yard sales for fabric
Retirement gave me time for that and you would be amazed at how much you can find. Then again I end up with a stash and have to hit the stores for more to make something.
I hope our Bernina never hits bottom as I hit the clearance rack all the time.

Can,t say I've noticed - some good sale prices around though and free p&p offers

Yes I have. It is a shame but I understand cuz I havent spent any money this month and prob wont next.

Butterfly as a former stay at home I was not offended I knew the spirit of your words......It is a what it is when Moms have to get a job outside the home.

thank you to those who posted to me.

i'm a retiree now, but i was a stay-at-home until i couldn't be anymore, so i know what happens to 'extra' money. it's not extra anymore. especially if there are little ones.

Grateful to still be a stay at home mom although I miss work tremendously....it's nice to have co-workers who pat us on the back in addition to the paycheck. Not everyone can afford to stay home and I am so happy that my DH agrees this is best for our crew.

I don't think anyone is offended and I certainly appreciated the fact that you do see it as work (when done right :D ). I've not noticed online shopping changes as I have yet to make online fabric purchases. I just love the feel of fabric in the stores and I like supporting my local shops. Wishing all of you the very best in these difficult times and I'm thankful I have access to shops for now, although I've definitely cut back on my material shopaholic ways.

I live in a major metropolitan area and have seen several quilt stores close recently. I live within a 10-mile radius of 5 Joann's and three WalMarts. Joann's is still going strong but two of the WalMarts have stopped carrying fabric. I often shop online for fabric and have noticed an uptick in special sales from my usual vendors and more breaks in their shipping costs as incentives. This is a very tough economy.

do you think people are buying online just because it's easier than getting dressed, getting out, warming the car, driving over, etc.? i know that sometimes i do. unfortunately, that also sends LQS into a tailspin. add to that the fact that you get to see so much more than you do at any nearby store. i wish all my old LQS's were still here, but how could they possibly compete? also the online stores reach so many sewers that they buy in much larger quantities, and can pass along those savings plus sale prices. LQS's really can't compete anymore. so sad.