I would love to support my local quilt shop. Her material went up from $10.95 a yard to $17.00 and up a yard. I'm now retired and I mostly buy her material when on sale or drive to R.I. to purchase some material. I just drove to RECO a factory outlet in Mass and there material starts at $10.00 a yard. I just bought some flannel material at 50% off, $3.00 a yard at JoAnnes in Mass. Not bad.

Has anyone on the board worked with flannel for a quilt? I was told to pre-wash then spray starch then press before I use it because flannel shrinks. Need your comments, please.

I worry about my LQS. I am doing the Christmas Tree BOM through her. The price comes to $180. Hancocks/Paducah had theirs originally for $189, now it is down to $129. I know they can lower their price because they are big, but how are the little shops supposed to compete? I want to touch my fabric before I purchase and I want the local shop to succeed!

I agree and also wish our LQS would offer some classes and some good sales. Our closest shop is 20 miles away and she never offers good sales. The next closest shops are 50+ miles away. The shops in that area offer some good classes and good sales. That is where I take my money when I need or want fabric.

Ladies we all do our best to support our local shops even if it is with a small purchase and be sure to know that the owners do appreciate all.
Peggy Anne's is closing the store in Concord,NH but she is opening a new store in Candia,NH where they will sell and service Bernina sewing machine just as they have in Concord. They are taking the rest of the shop online for a while as her father is ill and she needs to take care of him. She does say that in time she will open a new shop but her father will be the guiding factor as to when that will happen.
The Little Lamb is closed now in part due to the economy, the owners health and that there are some places close to all these shops that sell fabrics and many times the price is below wholesale.
These are the same fabrics that the LQS buy and sell but they are purchased in such quantities and ends of rolls that they get a much different price.
Checkerberries I had not heard about but I am sure she will try to stay in business. I will admit that I do not frequentther shop often due to the limited parking in her drive. I will not park on the shoulder of the road and it is a very busy main route in NH(Route 4) and you are taking a BIG chance by parking on the shoulder of the road as well as this is illegal to do so in the state of NH.
Sometimes if you call a shop and ask if they have what we are looking for they will ship it. I have done this at times as it is cheaper to have it shipped then the 45 minute ride to and then back never mind the gas used.
People say it will changed when is uncertain but in the meantime we should just try to do the best we can to support the local shops.

I have one quilt shop in Keene, NH and have bought lots of fabric from them over the years.
I have a stash larger than some shops, so when I buy I'm looking for specific types, prints, country of origin etc. Keene Mill End doesn't carry any fabric like I want.

I did in April buy some novelities on sale for my Guild's Charity Day. We were making quilts mainly for kids in Newport's Womens Shelter.

I absolutely love mine too. Some things may cost a bit more, but what I get in return is so much more. If I want advice, opinions, etc, I know I can go there and get great opinions and information. I occasionally buy something elsewhere, but rarely. I appreciate that the shop is local and I so appreciate that the shop is wheel chair accessible. You have no idea how many quilt shops are not!! And yes, even my LQS is cheaper than therapy!

:thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:

is Peggy Ann's the one on Main Street. I was there with our quilt group bus trip in May.

I don't buy much online because I want to see & feel the real thing before I give up my hard-come-by money. I shop every fabric shop in the area. While we may not like big box stores, they do pay wages to more local people than the small businesses do. Small businesses tend to "keep it in the family", which big box stores can't do (nepotism). That said, I dearly love the fabrics at my area LQSes, so I shop their often. Right now the owner of one of them is vacationing in Italy. No, it is NOT a business trip. If I could afford a trip to Italy I wouldn't be counting pennies when I go to her shop.

Personally, I would love to shop at the LQS but can't afford to do that all the time. I am going to a Shop Hop in a couple of weeks and know I will come home with a lot of great stuff...books, fabric, etc. This will be my second Shop Hop..it was great fun. I am trying to use my stash as much as possible..I do have a large one..it takes great discipline and inside the shops mine flies out the window!

Yes, she was located on Main Street. Her new shop is on Route 27 in Candia,NH but it is only for sewing machines right now

I agree. One of the two quilt shops in Moses Lake, WA, near where we live, just closed. Very sad.

Abby.....time is flying.....gotta get that quilt done......you can get it done in 30 days, but if you're like me....I don't get anything done when I'm on this board!! :) :) :)

We have a sewing machine/fabric store right next to Joann fabrics and they put a sign outside that said they would honor my 40% off coupon from Joann's on any one item. I always went there first!

I was just at my LQS yesterday and bought some fabric. I agree with you that we need to support our local businesses. If we don't they will disappear. Imagine the prices you will see at the big box retailers then!

My FAVORITE LQS went out of business two months ago and I am soooo sad about it. I had taken a Twisted Bargello class at her store years ago and never completed it. I went back two years ago to see if she were offering another class and she said, "Oh come on down and I'll show you how to do it." That was the beginning of a WONDERFUL friendship. I quilted there rather than at home because another woman came almost everyday and, while I couldn't go everyday because I still work, when I could get there the three of us just quilted and visited. It was wonderful. We'd order lunch at the Bento Box a few doors down and after eating, would return to quilting. Can't do that at Joanne's!

You know, I buy so little fabric lately that I feel guilty about not supporting our little local shop which is really struggling. I've seen so many of them close and worry that the time will come when the only option we will have is on-line purchasing.

I've read 4 pages of this thread and agree that we need to support locally owned businesses as much as we can. One little thing I try to do when shopping at a locally owned business is to pay cash rather than whipping out my plastic. I know the percentage a store has to pay the credit card company is not very much and probably won't mean the difference between make it or break it, I figure every little bit helps.

Just got the email from one not too close but she is closing. Can saymthat i tried to stop in about a week ago. Was waiting for 20 min after opening and she was still not there. Kinda hard to shop when the shop keeper doesn't keep her hours which are posted.

Here, Here! I absolutely agree!
I try to stop in every so often and buy something even when I really don't need anything. I would hate it if they closed. I loved the personal touch and all the help they offer.

I can't even afford Joanns most days. I hafta buy my fabric 2nd hand. I did find a LQS in a town 15 miles away, and bought a walking foot there. Now I need one for my Singer and Domestic, so I'll be back, but I can't really afford the $10+ yrd fabric there.

What a shame that shop doesn't welcome little ones! A couple in our area have play corners to keep children amused while mom browses. My grandson loved them when he was little and headed straight for them whenever my DD and I shopped.

i can't afford to support my LQS and most of my guild can't either.

they do not have honest pricing and the only way we can show our disappointment is to not shop with them any longer.

they have fabric on the shelves that are at least 8 years old and every year the price of these bolts go up along with everything in the shop.

they closed the shop for 2-3 days and they raise the price on everything in the store not just new inventory coming in.

a yard of fabric from the 8 year old bolts used to cost me $5 a yard and now its $14 a yard.

i am very happy shopping online for my fabric/notions and see absolutely no need for a LQS.

Actually, it does make a difference. I always use cash too for the same reason. I spoke about this with my local sewing machine dealer (very nice man) and he said it does make a difference, and that he appreciates cash customers so much. ;)

I also would love to shop in LQS but at the prices I can't . Yeah I also am on disability and since there has been no COL increase in the past 2 years I am struggling to pay for what I need too. And I am better off than a lot since I live with my brother. (not that I could afford not to)
I will however get what I can when I can there. I just found one here. But needed to get my hair cut. LOL choices choices.

All of our comments really point out that we need to be careful shoppers. Some quilt shops are good, some are not. We have to get what we can afford. It would be silly to patronize our LQS if they do not do business fairly or if we can not afford their merchandise. Takes all kinds to make the world, and apparently not all LQSs are the best places to shop. Next time I travel I will ask members of this board for advice on where to stop!

Ditto. I know there are some lines that are less expensive and the fabric is lovely. One of them is Blank Fabric, but finding it in a LQS is like looking for frog's hair. froggyintexas

I definitely do my part...typically a hundred at a time.

Seriously, we are definitely about to lose our small businesses. They cannot carry a reasonable inventory of quality goods without pricing higher than a chain store. Remember as small businesses, they still have expenses like the rest of us: utilities, rent or mortgage, plus personnel, bank services, advertising, cleaning, tax servicing, landscaping, insurances, snow removal (in 50% of the U.S.).

Plus you get personalized service where people try very hard to remember your name, ask about your project, and answer questions about machine quirks, sewing techniques, new products and suggest easier ways to do something, or alternative pallettes for a quilt. Many LQS employees have also been sent to special training (such as "thread school", digitizing, etc.)

Each purchase helps keep them going; so even if you pay 20c more for thread, it will keep an LQS in your area.

I agree. I either pay cash or write a check!

I recently had a conversation with a LQS owner about her business. We were chatting, I asked how business was(it's a fairly new shop). She was trying to stay positive but said she has not had a paycheck in over a year. She was considering more sales and other ways to get people into the store. I explained why I purchase on-line and go to sales. I told her I would prefer to shop with her but have to watch every cent. Unfortunately, quilting is a luxury hobby, not a necessity. We parted smiling but her heart wasn't in it. To make things worse, our local Walmart has fabric again.....it is frustrating.

True, true, it DOES matter. Credit card companies take anywhere between 2.5% - 3.5% of the total sale. Figuring that 50% of the sale price was the cost of the fabric... that means the credit card company's "bite" is 5% - 7% of the store's profit.

'Course it matters! Wouldn't you like to be earning that 5% - 7% on your checking account? I sure would! :-D

In addition to Quilted Threads (which is a good size quilt shop) - The Quilters Workshop in Newport NH (a small shop) has just opened an online store. In this day and age it will be the only way that any small businesses stay viable. They can no longer be only a brick and mortar store.

Such an important message for all of us who love our LQS to hear and heed! Thank you!

Times are tuff everywhere. I support my favorite lqs and occasionaly some others where I can, especially when I am traveling :)

Although it is not my responsibility to keep anyone in business, I certainly believe in spending my money locally. I am very fortunate in that my LQS is very friendly.

Yes, the prices of fabric have gotten very high. So has the price of books, clothing patterns, thread, buttons, etc. I remember when a dress pattern cost $1.75. Now they're up to $13.00 or more. The worst part about that is the pattern pieces are printed on tissue paper!

If you have your choice between using a debit card or using a charge card, use your debit card. The percentage taken is much lower.

We have an LQS in a neighboring town, about 25 minutes from here, and they have been in business for 43 years I heard the owner state on the phone yesterday while I was there and still going strong.

There prices are less than any other LQS I've ever been in, customer servcie is great, and always a great selection of fabrics. Also if you go in there and ask them for a certain brand fabric or type they will research and get it for you.

I use to buy my fabric at WalMart but quality is bad anymore so seldom will buy there anymore unless I find a piece that seems good quality for the price and I use to frequent Hancock's and JoAnn's but there prices are as high if not higher than this LQS has it and alot of there fabric is not much better than Walmarts for the most part so I travel in the opposite direction and buy most of my fabric at this LQS.

This LQS has folks traveling from surrounding towns and as far away is Jacksonville, Fl and some places in SC, AL to buy from her.

She is also fair to her customers. For instance if you pick up a bolt of fabric and you want 1 yard and there is say 1 1/2 yards on it or even 1 3/4 yard she will give it all to you for the price of a yard. She also has 3 areas in her store where she moves higher priced fabric to make room for new fabric and reduces it from $1.98 to $2.98 a yard from $5.95 to $8.95 a yard. She sells her quality high end fabric about $4 a yard less than other LQS.

I can buy a yard of fabric for $5.95 that is high end and Walmarts sells there's at that price and a much lesser quality fabric. I can buy a yard of the $7.98 a yard at this LQS and other LQS online and other areas have the same thing for $12.98 on up.

No wonder she has been in business for 43 years.......her prices are fair and they give great customer satisfaction. Yes even in these economic times she is doing well because she keeps her prices lower than other places therefore she gets repeat business. Also word of mouth brings in folks from out of this state to shop there when traveling. She was telling me recently that she sometimes gets phone calls from folks in other states wanting to buy and she ships it to them and she doesn't even have a presence online with the exception of folks like us telling others about the place.

We have an LQS in a neighboring town, about 25 minutes from here, and they have been in business for 43 years I heard the owner state on the phone yesterday while I was there and still going strong.

There prices are less than any other LQS I've ever been in, customer servcie is great, and always a great selection of fabrics. Also if you go in there and ask them for a certain brand fabric or type they will research and get it for you.

I use to buy my fabric at WalMart but quality is bad anymore so seldom will buy there anymore unless I find a piece that seems good quality for the price and I use to frequent Hancock's and JoAnn's but there prices are as high if not higher than this LQS has it and alot of there fabric is not much better than Walmarts for the most part so I travel in the opposite direction and buy most of my fabric at this LQS.

This LQS has folks traveling from surrounding towns and as far away is Jacksonville, Fl and some places in SC, AL to buy from her.

She is also fair to her customers. For instance if you pick up a bolt of fabric and you want 1 yard and there is say 1 1/2 yards on it or even 1 3/4 yard she will give it all to you for the price of a yard. She also has 3 areas in her store where she moves higher priced fabric to make room for new fabric and reduces it from $1.98 to $2.98 a yard from $5.95 to $8.95 a yard. She sells her quality high end fabric about $4 a yard less than other LQS.

I can buy a yard of fabric for $5.95 that is high end and Walmarts sells there's at that price and a much lesser quality fabric. I can buy a yard of the $7.98 a yard at this LQS and other LQS online and other areas have the same thing for $12.98 on up.

No wonder she has been in business for 43 years.......her prices are fair and they give great customer satisfaction. Yes even in these economic times she is doing well because she keeps her prices lower than other places therefore she gets repeat business. Also word of mouth brings in folks from out of this state to shop there when traveling. She was telling me recently that she sometimes gets phone calls from folks in other states wanting to buy and she ships it to them and she doesn't even have a presence online with the exception of folks like us telling others about the place.

I sure wish I could help keep the LQS in business! But when I see the same item at Joann's (with a coupon or not) for alot less it only makes sense to buy it cheaper. And I refuse to pay the high prices for a yard of fabric the LQS is asking. I can drive to garage sales, or look on Craigslist, Ebay, Joann's or Walmart. Plus, at this time I have enough stash where I really just don't need more unless I sell some then replace later. My LQS does not have good sales nor coupons. I just drop by to drool, then wipe myself clean and go where I can afford to buy.

I agree! Our LQS has tables for sales stuff from $1.98 to $2.98 a yard and it's good quality fabric which was selling upwards to $8.98 or so a yard.

You don't have to buy large quantities but just keep going back and get a little of this and that.

Even I would not pay $15 a yard. I'll pay up to $7.98 a yard if I really like what I see and want it. I also like to use coupons in stores that allow them (don't thinK LQS have coupons) but they do have sales areas.

As far as children goes now that I think of it can't say I've ever seen any in JoAnn's , Hancocks and even our Walmarts here when there are children the workers tell parents to control there children if they start pulling out fabric or touching it and such. And in the LQS I've never seen any child in there in all the times I've been there with the exception of my 8 yr old GD who loves to sew. I don't think children are forbidden in there.

These women that come in there are serious quilters and want there space and probably why they don't bring there kids or grandkids if they have any. It's like there heaven away from home. :-)

I did see at out local Walmarts the other day when talking with the department manager where a woman had two toddlers in her cart and they were just messing with the fabric pulling and tugging at it and one of them had chocolate all over her hands. The department manager pulled the brand new bolt and asked the lady if she was going to pay for that piece of fabric her child had just messed up with her chocolate. The mom was busy running her mouth with some other lady and not paying attention to her child. NOT SAYING EVERYONE'S CHILD does this kind of stuff because many parents do tend to there children but alot more don't so perhaps this LQS has had a bad experience in the past and reason she is not allowing children in her shop. It's usually not personal to anyone just a policy they have in there shops. Let's face it there are just some speciality stores that children do not belong in and reason for the policy.