A quilting friend introduced me to Marden’s Discount Store a year ago and periodically we make the trip to go and stock-up on fabric together. There are several locations throughout Maine however; we shop at the one in Sanford. They have a very large selection of quality fabrics at great prices. Their website says this in regards to their fabric:

“Fabric: To Marden’s fabric team, fabric is not just material. Fabric represents friendship, community and a way of life. From our fabric buyer and distribution employees right through to the associates in store that help customers one on one, hundreds of times a day, we love fabric!”

We shop for fabric 108” wide to back our quilts in just one solid piece of fabric. Most 108” wide fabric, 100% cotton, at Marden’s sells for $7.99 a yard. Although I just bought one fabric that I just love, 108” wide for just $4.99 a yard! I live in Laconia NH, but it is well worth the trip to shop and stock-up on fabric.
:thumbup: :thumbup:

I am planning a trip to see Maine in July - I think that is one of the shops that was recommended to me!

No I haven't but friends that shop there have told me about Marden's. I hope to shop at one of the Marden's on our next trip to visit grandkids in Mass, we can come home via Maine just to shop there. May in Jersey

Yes I have been to Marden's. What a wonderful store! It was years ago, and I remember coming home with tons of stuff. Great store!

nope guess it up father then me....

Our quilting group that meets in Avon usually sponsors a trip there at least twice a year. Let's say I have spent quite a bit of money on fabric there. Its wonderful!! It's worth it.

do they sell online?

We haven't been to Maine in 4 or 5 years, might need to make a plan for a visit!

I've been shopping there for years and it is wonderful. Marden's is a huge supporter of Project Linus, and they host a yearly event for us. When customers donate a blanket to Project Linus, Marden's gives them free fat quarters. They hang the donated quilts, afghans and fleece blankets up on all the walls of the store, and then they give them to the Coordinators at the yearly event. Each year I receive hundreds of blankets for my chapter.

The have a website, a facebook page, twitter, and sell on eBay, but they do not sell the fabric on eBay. They are a surplus store, and sell everything from furniture, flooring, clothing (great buys on name brand shoes). Here is a link to their website: http://mardens.com/

I have not heard of that shop. I have got to venture out from behind my sewing machine. Have to talk DH into taking a road trip. I am still on a fabric moratorium and have cut way down about 85%. Will never be addicted again to random buying again. I'll buy what I need, though.
That backing sure sounds god. Always need backin

Oh thanks! My mom goes to the one in Sanford quite often, she lives in Dover. I might need(lol) her to pick me up some goodies as there is no Mardens in Il.

I really don't know but you can Google ‘Marden’s Discount Stores ME’ and get all their information. They have 14 locations. I have signed up to receive their sale notices by email.
And....if you get a small group of six friends to go and buy together you get an additional 20% off your fabric purchases. They also cut there fabrics very generously!

In Sanford ME they have two separate stores in the same strip mall: Marden's Discount Store and Marden's Surplus Store. The Surplus store carries furniture etc., the Discount store is where I buy my fabric. I do not know if the other locations are the same. You should check to see if the Marden's near you carries fabric.

In the Sanford location, does anyone know if they have solid backings in the wide size? I think I might need to make a list for my mom lol

It is hard to say if they have the solid backings...they might have them today, and they might be gone tomorrow. The Marden's buyer picks up bargains from store closeouts, out of print fabrics, etc. You never know what is in stock, as it changes daily. If you are going to make a list for your Mom, I'd provide her with plenty of options/substitutions.

Mardens is my second home LOL

Thank you Maureen. She goes there quite often, so it will be great to ask her what to look out for. Now I know where to go for fabric when I go back to visit!

my gf lives there she says its its the best!!!

Was just at the one in S. Portland yesterday although I usually go to the Lewiston store since it is closer. I heard that the one in Sanford has best fabric section but haven't been to that one.

I didn't know that 6 shoppers = 20% discount. Thanks for that info. Will have to find out if it is at all stores or just Sanford.

Can't beat their prices. :)

I think I want to move to Maine :)

robin

Not all Marden's have fabric so best to check before going
I know Sanford does and Ellsworth Falls.

My DH's family lives in Maine and we always make sure to stop at Marden's at some point during the trip! :)

Kinda far from Minnesota, but I checked out their website.
Thanks for the info!

I didn't know about the 20% discount for 6 friends. Must keep that in mind.

I was at Mardens in Brewer last week and came home with 44 yards of fabric... I Love that place for getting fabric to make charity quilts. Most brand name fabrics are between 2.99 and 4.59 per yard. You cannot reorder fabric, so be sure to go with your pattern requirements and buy all that you need.

:lol:

It varies - Sometimes they do - but I have been there when thay did not have much a selection.

The Sanford one has the best selection in quilting fabric from my limited experience - they have increased their prices recently (from a low of 2.99 to a low of 3.99/4.99 - but the last time I was there, they had bins of 1.99 fabric as well!!)

I was in Mardens in Ellsworth on Sat. They had a sale and I got many name brands for $1.00 per yard off the bolt and Thimbleberries for $1.99 a yard off the bolt. You had to look for the good brands but I got a lot of fabric!! I live in Lisbon and frequent all the stores. Love all the Mardens and feel lucky that they are mostly not to far from me and have brand names!!! Can't beat their prices.

Peggy

Their jingle is "Shouda bought it when I saw it at Mardens" Here today could be gone tomorrow. I shop at Waterville and Lewiston and Ellsworth and Gray all of the time, I heard that they might stop the fabric at Lewiston but that was long ago and they still carry it. You won' t be sorry by going to Mardens.

[quote=Nancy Ingham]A quilting friend introduced me to Marden’s Discount Store a year ago and periodically we make the trip to go and stock-up on fabric together. There are several locations throughout Maine however; we shop at the one in Sanford. They have a very large selection of quality fabrics at great prices. Their website says this in regards to their fabric:

“Fabric: To Marden’s fabric team, fabric is not just material. Fabric represents friendship, community and a way of life. From our fabric buyer and distribution employees right through to the associates in store that help customers one on one, hundreds of times a day, we love fabric!”

We shop for fabric 108” wide to back our quilts in just one solid piece of fabric. Most 108” wide fabric, 100% cotton, at Marden’s sells for $7.99 a yard. Although I just bought one fabric that I just love, 108” wide for just $4.99 a yard! I live in Laconia NH, but it is well worth the trip to shop and stock-up on fabric.
Never heard of it ,but boy I sure wish we had one here in good ole Kentucky..Thanks for the info.]

Thanks for the reminder! Marden's has a large selection and it is always fun to poke through what is available. They increase inventory by buying out shops who are going out of business, thereby being able to offer fabrics at a considerable discount.

I always enjoy a trip to Maine. It doesn't hurt that there is a Bonanza Steak House just down the road a piece from Marden's (spoken like a true Yankee).

Do you know if they sell on line?

It takes me 3 1/2 hours to get to Mardens but I make the trip about 4 times a yer and stock up. They have great fabric.

I love, love, love Mardens.........great selection of good quality fabric at cheap prices. Whenever i travel back home, I make sure to make a stop at Mardens...it is a must!!

JuneC, no they dont sell online. bummer huh?
But I live only 20 minutes away, so its very convenient for me. I go at least once per week.

That is a real bummer - that they don't sell on line - UGH

go to the one in Portland they have a lot and its worth the trip!

Kathios answered dasmith's question perfectly. I was last there the weekend before last and they had solids in the 108” width fabric in many colors, but that doesn’t mean that they do today? The woman that cut my fabric said that they had another 1000 bolts of fabrics to put out. Again, what was the width size of those bolts…I don’t know. Myself, I prefer a small print for my quilt backings and when I go I buy a variety of colors that would to match most any fabric. This last trip I bought white on white, soft beige on beige, brown, black paisley, red, and gold. Another quilter on this Board was right regarding discount/clearance bins; I bought some darling red lady bugs on yellow fabric to make a quilt for my granddaughter at $2.49 a yard. Marden’s also sells pieces of varies sizes including fat quarters, books and accessories (again always changing). Good Luck!

We stopped into Mardens on our last trip to Calais,Maine. They were selling fat quarters for $0.75!

If you are coming to Bar Harbor, there is a Marden's - huge and brand new in Ellsworth which you have to go through to get here.
If you are coming here, PM me. We can meet. There are two other nice quilt shops here also. One you have to pass by as you come and is after Mardens and the other is right in town. She is moving to a new shop in a couple of weeks and it is going to be wonderful.