They told me when I ask; their fabric and thread and books are made here in the U.S.A. with U.S.A. products. They do their best to keep all low but not go out of business. This was a few years back.

If buying in bulk keeps the cost down then Fat Quarter Shop must make a killer profit. I love their site, the variety of fabrics the ease of finding what you want but have to be 'can't live without' if I am going to buy, especially a given series. I don't think Connecting Threads quality of fabric is any less than FQS. CT's is my very favorite for affordable series and ease of ordering. Have access to lots of local quilt stores but usually only buy markdowns.

A fellow quilt guild member told me she was rather disappointed in CT's fabric quality but she was pleased with the prices of their threads.

One day at a time I find acceptance is the key!

If you go to their website and read...this is not true. Their fabric is not made in the USA anymore.

I think there's enough wonderful opportunities around for us all to enjoy and spread the so-called "wealth". CT is wonderful, as is 1,000 bolts and many other online shops. That being said, there's still nothing like a local QS to see the fabric quality and color as well as feel the fabric, especially when you are looking for something special. Their guidance and helpfulness is worth its weight in gold. A large chain store such as Joann's is wonderful for books, batting and notions, especially with 40% off. We are blessed to have so many choices to fulfill our creativity and still keep our credit cards from melting. Safe to say most of us are feeling the financial pinch and it's important to stretch that hard earned dollar as far as we can.

I guess I won't be buying from CT anymore if they have moved their production out of the good ole USA.

DD and I was at Joanns last Sat. and I saw several fabrics Wal Mart use to sell. Same quality, they did have some very thin fabrics. Higher prices too.
I have bought fabrics from connecting threads that is very thick and heavy compared to LQS, Wal Mart, Joanns and Hobby Lobby. I would buy from any time. I don't care where the fabrics are made, nor where they sell them from. We also went to LQS close to us and the prices are outrageous. We had a 20% off coupon on total sale and I had gift cards for Joanns. We only bought fabrics on sale and on clearance at LQS. I see no sense in throwing money away to keep a high priced place in business. I have three times more fabrics then I will ever be able to sew up, no more buying for me.

I am shocked at the absence of quilt shops in the area. I live minutes from Mobile, AL. The only quilt shop that I am aware of in the area is 1 hour to the east in Pensacola. So shopping online is much smarter for me because of gasoline prices, but I soooo miss going to a quilt shop to see, feel, experience the fabric, tools, patterns & notions.

All things new quilters need in abundance!!

I think their fabric is thin and grainy and I no longer buy from them. I bought once from them and never again. I buy from www.ThousandsofBolts.com because they have beautiful brand-name fabric like Moda, Kaufman, Fassett, etc., and I love the quality. They may be older prints but I don't care. Their selection is HUGE!! Also knowing production of fabric has been moved out of the US doesn't make me at all happy. I know a lot is made outside, but when a company specifically moves out to go to foreign production, I'm out for good.

I am with you 100%! I know when I go my LQS I will get a personable smile and thank you from behind the counter. I get the one on one that is really important to me. The other day I wanted to know about a particular sundress pattern and they looked online for the yardage etc. after I gave them the site and what to look for. They did the surfing and searching while I shopped. It was great! Money is tight everywhere, but I plan my purchases around their sales, and they will order what I need or am looking for and bring it in for me. I run errands anyway, so the gas money to go a few blocks out of the way is no big deal. I do not like paying shipping, which is why I will shop Nancy's Notions and other shops online that offer this with actual codes or purchasing a small amount. Just as other online stores do, my LQS sends emails and fills me in when sales are coming up in the future-I can plan and budget for it. My LQS sells quality fabrics and thread, the same notions, books, and patterns as elsewhere in addition to hard to find items, and give back with their friendly service and knowledge. I have used Connecting Threads, and so far have been pleased, but hands down in my opinion does not compare to a LQS.

I don't like that they moved production out of the US. Makes me rethink buying from them! My SIL has been out of work for 1 1/2 years. If everyone would bring the work back to the US, we wouldn't have the unemployment we do now. I know things would cost more, but so many more people would have jobs and the US isn't the hot spot to live like it use to be because of the job situation.

There is no US manufacturer left to make fabric. If you know of fabric that is produced in the US please let me know.

The last mill closed a couple years ago.

This is where CT gets their products manufactured. http://www.kaltex.com

This is correct there are no mills left in the US..most fabric is coming from China..

All the posters that claim not to buy fabric not made in US. You must not be buying any fabric at all.

I have purchased kits from them in the past and have been a little disappointed in the quality/feel of the fabric. It just has a coarser feel to it. I try to support a quilt shop at the coast (where we have a second home) because she gives the local quilters a discount on fabric. I know that she is always there to answer questions for me too. Our local quilt shop owners need all the support they can get.

seems to me they have there prices so EVERYONE can pretty well afford to buy from them. Always thought if you have lower prices in the long run you will have more people buying there for more profit.

I am in complete agreement with all those who have said please spend your money at your LQS. When each of these mom-and-pop stores has been put out of business by online companies, where will we go to touch fabric, ask questions, take classes and meet like-minded women? I have nothing against CT or any other company, but just be aware that you are voting with your wallet each time you make a purchase, and it is a real shame to be putting small business owners out of business. I do understand if you are 90 miles from a LQS and need to use the internet, but for the rest of us, let's try to support our local small businesses.

[This sounds good in theory, but I make all my quilts to give away, and I can't afford to do this when I have to pay $11-$12 a yard. I can get equally nice fabric for under $5 online. Paying LQS prices for much fabric is just not a wise use of my money.

QUOTE=Gabrielle's Mimi;5089028]I am in complete agreement with all those who have said please spend your money at your LQS. When each of these mom-and-pop stores has been put out of business by online companies, where will we go to

I buy most of my fabric on line and on sale from Hancocks of Paducah, Quilt In A Day, Connectiing Threads, and a few others. After over five years of quilting I finally feel that Im good enough to use more expensive fabrics and harder patterns. As a beginner I just would not spend the money for expensive fabrics.
I will still buy sales on line but will go to the local quilt shop for more expensive lines of fabric for special patterns.
It just depends on what I am making and for who.

Go to Ocean Springs, MS...they have Janet's Quilting Bee...that's where I went prior to moving to FL. It's a lot closer to Mobile than P'Cola is.

I am waiting on my first order from them. Should be here on Wed. I glad you like their fabric as I ordered about 50 yrds of 29 different fabric. They had some on sale for $2.48 yrd. Couldn't pass that up. If it isn't really good quality, I'll use it for quilts for the nursing homes in my area that I make.

I just got an order of several of the new line samplers from CT. They have a nice feel and drape. Their designer fabric seem to me a better quality feel then the blender fabric. I like all of their fabrics though. It's my fabric of choice for backings. If it's on clearance for under $3 I buy a lot of it. I have my favorite fabric brands like Northcott, Kauffman, Marcus Bros etc and buy those fabrics when I find them on sale. I rarely buy fabric from a LQS but I do buy notions, threads, tools, and patterns from them.

I know that when I put the fabrics that the LQS sells (Benartex, Moda, RJR, Hoffman, etc) up against the fabric from CT - CT fabric is one of my last choices. I see a definite difference in the quality, colors, design, etc. I have a friend who has an internet business and I know that her wholesale price is above what CT is selling fabric for. Additionally for large pieces (backs, borders) I hit my LQS yearly sale, granted a lot of the frabrics are in large yardage 5+ yds, but if I want to use it for a back it might be just enough. If the piece is larger and I like it I can use it for the back, borders and binding. We also go in a group so if several of us like it we can split it when we get home.

Those of you who have LQSs to shop at should consider yourselves very lucky. We have none in our area closer than 50+ miles. I will sometimes buy from a shop in Shipshewana, IN whenever I visit my son and family in northern Indiana. Otherwise I have to buy online or at Joann's or Hobby Lobby.