Which is Less Expensive for Fabric?
 

I have never bought fabric online. Which is cheaper, online or buying from places such as Jo Ann Fabrics with the sales?

Online can be cheaper if you watch for sales. I use eQuilter.com and Fabric.com and get some good deals...and there are lots of others as well.

If you buy from a reputable online site, it will probably be more expensive but will definately be better quality than JoAnn's. If you can catch online sales and free shipping the fabric would be much better than the Joann's which has really gotten progressively inferior over the past few years.

Connecting Threads has some awesome sales, some of the lowest prices I've seen anywhere. If you purchase $50 worth of fabric, shipping is free.

I try to support my LQSs, but I understand that the Joann's in my area is carrying better quality fabric now. And their sales are amazing.

JoAnn's does indeed have some higher quality fabric now, and some of the lines they always carried are very good, others not so good. As with almost anything else, I find that you can get all kinds of prices (high or low) and all kinds of quality in all kinds of places. Some of the most expensive fabrics I've seen have been on eBay, but some of the most reasonable also. And sometimes you will find a tremendous bargain at a LQS, which has the added benefit of letting you touch the fabric and ask questions.

There's a lot of quality fabric at low prices on Etsy, too.

Joann's if you catch a sale or use coupons...Mail order if free shipping...Try Melindasfabricshop.com...I just discovered her and she has great quality and great prices even on kits.

there are many good deals- and much better quality fabrics available searching on line simply because you have access to shops all over the country---and prices vary all over the country---watch shipping costs though- a great fabric price can easily become a very expensive purchase if the shop charges large shipping/handling fees. also, watch the specifics of the listings---one time my daughter (thought) she was getting a really terrific deal (5.50 a yard- this was 8 years ago) she ordered about 15 yards of fabric...recieved 7...the shop sold their fabric in 1/2 yard increments- so if you ordered (1) you received 1/2...daughter did not notice-pay attention to that...+ there were shipping fees---we wound up paying almost $200 for that 7 1/2 yards of fabric!
I love to shop at places that give me free shipping (my favorites are fabric.com- free at $35 level & Connecting threads- free @ $50) there are many with either free or very reasonable charges- but you need to ofset the fabric cost and the shipping cost to see if you are getting a deal- 99% of the time it's going to be better quality than joannes or walmart though...so in my book- worth a little more.
fabric.com has great sales-including a $1.95 a yard catagory...and free shipping when you spend just $35 hard to beat them i think

Here is my favorite on line shop, never have to worry about the quality of the fabric http://www.bnpquilts.com/
I have bought some other fabrics on line...keepsakes have very good quality. Joanns...haven't been thrilled with some others were fine. I also found some great deals on ebay for a few fabrics that I was looking for. I prefer to go to a shop and feel and see the fabric vs on line