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

joAnns is the only local shop with fabric near me. I agree that their selection is getting worse and less all the time.
Nothing but bad flannel and fleece. Very disappointing.
peace

Online you can find almost any fabric that is available. At Joann's you are stuck with what they have. I don't have a Joann's and have only been to one twice. I didn't care for it.

I like my LQS. I don't want it to close down so I always buy something there, whether I need it or not. Dang online stores are closing LQS. I know they have more to choose from and lots better prices, but you don't get to know the owner and the people who work there. They don't know what you like and can't suggest projects for you. They don't make classes especially for you because you need them. I am guilty of online shopping.

I buy from my LQS owner as much as I can. She is 45 minutes away. She hasn't gotten in new fabric in a long time. I feel horrible. She has a shop out back that anyone can go quilt on Tuesdays and Fridays and it's always full, but they don't buy from her. They just take advantage of her space. I know it's hard for her to stay open in this economy. I wish she would do an online store. I told her my son would set one up. He does that for a living, but she said she would have to monitor it too closely. Well, she could make a lot of money.

I hope she changes her mind.

I just sent an order in to Connecting Threads today! With the batting on sale at 30% off, it doesn't take much to add up and get the free shipping....LOL...I love their fabrics, never any problem....and always at a reasonable price. I end up ordering about once a month ;)

Whittles has top quality fabric and Great prices. I am not affiliated with them in any way other than being a good customer. LOL

Try this site, prices start from $3.99

http://www.marshalldrygoods.com/

Also, go to retailmenot.com for coupon codes for fabric.com and others.
I have been pretty happy with Connecting Threads fabric. Batiks are a little lighter weight and sometimes quality and texture of fabric can be a little inconsistent. Fabric lines are turned over fast. If you like it and want more, don't wait.

The prices at Joann's have gone up so much in the past couple of years. For the money, I'd rather shop online and get better quality fabric for similar prices. I have found many shops I like through the Quiltshops.com linked below. When you find a place you like, you can sign up for email alerts of sales. There are many that have good sales and great service. If you know exactly what you want, you can search and check out each store that sells it to get the best price. I have shopped at many of the shops listed on their website and always had great service and quick shipping.

http://www.quiltshops.com/index.html

Some places have low prices everyday on the brand name fabrics. They don't usually have the newest collections, but have great first quality fabrics, some as low as $4/yard or so for the same fabrics you'd find in a quilt shop for $10-13/yard. Thousands of Bolts and Quilt Fabric Closeouts come to mind.

http://www.thousandsofbolts.com/inde...5&redirect=yes

http://www.quiltfabriccloseouts.com/...tore/store.cgi

My other favorite go to places are Over the Rainbow and Stitch-n-Frame. You can often get the newest collections cheaper than the LQS and they have great sales/service.

http://www.overrainbow.com/cgi-bin/Store/store.cgi

http://www.stitch-n-frame.net/cgi-bin/Store/store.cgi

If I calculate petrol cost into buying material from a shop and parking charges, this way is more expensive.

The problem with on line is that computer screen does not always show. Good colour . When they arrive you are disappointed. Online is also very good for specific fabric ie bugs, transport etc which small shop do not stock.

I go on line a great deal. I also buy some of the sale cheap end of bolts to use as backing fabric. A lot cheaper than £12 a metre..

I use http://www.oldcountrystorefabrics.com/ they have some great sales and if you are looking for current fabrics have some of the best prices. Starting at $8.70 per yd (cottons) $9.00 per yd (batiks). I don't remember what their shipping was

Either option can be cheaper. It depends what you are planning on buying and when.

I tend to shop mostly online.

These are the two I use also and they also have sales. After a while Joann's fabrics start becoming predictable (perhaps any place would be that way). I still buy fabric from there when it hits me with a "wow"! but usually go just for batting and other supplies. Actually, if you look at the way Joann's (ours in Rocklin, CA. anyway) does it is that they put and keep everything on sale so you can't use your coupons the way you used to. I asked a clerk if there was ANY quilting fabric not on sale and she said, "Not much. On the back wall there are about 20 bolts on sale." They were all very drab and it was pretty obvious why they were on sale.

So, taking that into account, prices from the on-line stores, especially the two mentioned above, can be cheaper than Joann's, and if you buy over so many dollars they will ship free. And their sales can be outstanding. I don't find I am buying more by buying on line, but you need to find a place that has the kind of fabric you really want. eQuiter.com also has a wonderful search element which allows you to put in your current interest (kid prints; animal prints, batik, ocean....) and you will get hundreds of hits.

I can't figure Joann's out. They are certainly not customer-friendly. We were discussing Joann's and their policies at our last non-guild meeting. One of our members took her coupon and wanted to purchase an entire bolt of batting. The employee refused. She insisted it had to be "cut" in order to qualify for the coupon. So my friend had her open the package, measure all the way to the end and cut 6 inches off. The employee said she'll never allow that to happen again.

What is wrong with these people??? Are there no quilters or sewers (sewists?) working in Corporate? I don't have a problem with them making money, but they should simply price their products so they can make money, and not do all this monkeying around with the blankety-blank coupons, and bait-and-switches with so-called sales so you can't use a coupon. It's extremely frustrating and they're LOSING CUSTOMERS because we're sick and tired of their stupid games!

ARE YOU LISTENING, JOANN'S????

Whew. I feel a little better.

If you don't live close to JoAnn's or your LQS you save on gas by buying online. Check out the places that have free shipping if you purchase a certain amount and you save more. Also, look for sales and discounts. Fabric.com is great. I like Over the Rainbow too. She will return any shipping money not used. I may find a fabric I like while out shopping, then check online for price comparison. With fabric prices as high as they are, I try and save where I can.

Connecting Threads has great prices and even super prices if you buy on clearance from them. I like equilter too.

I order a lot from online sales, but the shipping costs really bump up the price. I've gotten some really nice fabrics from JoAnn's. Used to buy from Hancock's locally, but the quality and selection has gone down. The LQS has the good stuff, but I usually look in the clearance fabrics first.

I know everyone is trying to save money, but please think about buying from your LQS first. Watch for their sales, sign up for their emails. When our local shops are gone, where will you go to check out REAL fabric and see true colors? I have nothing against online shopping, and for people live far from a shop, online shopping is a necessity. Sometimes online can help if you are looking for a specific fabric not available locally. But please try to support our local owners so these LQSs stay open. (Disclaimer...I do not own a shop, but do teach in one.)

It's tricky. If you know the pro's and con's of different brands you can get deals on line if you watch for sles on the items you want. Our Joann's doesn't carry a lot of the cakes, charms, jelly rolls, etc that you can find on line and in your LQS. I watch what I buy at Joann's as some of their fabric is pricey but not good quality. Love fabric.com and connecting threads especially when they have a sale!!

I have 2 favorites for online buying right now - Connecting Threads and Green Fairy Quilts. I'm not affiliated with Green Fairy Quilts at all but they have the best prices anywhere on the newest fabric collections.

It's nice to see someone else complaining about JoAnn's coupon schemes.

[QUOTE=Peckish;5785778]I can't figure Joann's out. They are certainly not customer-friendly. We were discussing Joann's and their policies at our last non-guild meeting. One of our members took her coupon and wanted to purchase an entire bolt of batting. The employee refused. She insisted it had to be "cut" in order to qualify for the coupon. So my friend had her open the package, measure all the way to the end and cut 6 inches off. The employee said she'll never allow that to happen again.

Interesting. 2 years ago I bought an entire unopened roll of batting. They really are killing themselves.

I goofed in my remarks yesterday... I was looking for fabrics NOT on sale (so I could use my coupons).

I have no local quilt shops. Even Hancocks is 50 miles away - one way. Connecting Threads has VERY good prices and I've never been dissatisfied with anything I ordered from them. I do have a WM 30 miles away that has a very good fabric department with reasonable prices. With gas prices so high I can save money by buying on-line and paying postagle.

I like Favorite Fabrics they have Awesome material Great Customer Service . I know i have ordered a lot from them. If in doubt on item pick up the phone call them they will do all they can to help you . Quick turn around on orders just Great Sewing & Quilting Employees. If for any reason not satsified call them they will take care of the problem . Great Customer Service.

Depends on the cost of the fabric and shipping.

I've only ordered online a few times and found that the quality was rather hit or miss. We have one little store here that sells most of their fabric from $3.99 to $5.99 a yard and it is good, quality fabric. I try to buy as much as I can there. The other LQS is a little higher, but I still love to feel the fabric before I buy it. Most of my fabriv shopping is from the smaller stores. However, I did make quite a haul at Hancock's last week on Christmas fabric. My goal is to put Christmas quilts on every bed in our house and our kids houses!

My favorite LQS has wonderful, high quality fabric but nothing under $9.99/yd. and higher. Best bet; shop around.

my favorite online fabric store-my favorite store period!! is todaysquilting.com-Nancy is great and she gives great service and is very quick in shipping. Love her fabrics. I also use fabrics.com but have gone away from them as I like Nancy's selection better.
I also buy from MSQC-some of their per-cuts are very nice.

I have had best luck with online fabric. Sometimes JoAnn doesn't have the yardage you need or it has faults in it

You can get better quality online. I watch Hancocks of Paducah's web sales pages. You can pick up some great fabric for a great price - you just have to be patient and watch for it!! Order it quickly if you like it though - it sells out fast sometimes!

I just received an order from Melinda's Fabrics and it arrived so fast. Good quality and name brand too. I use Beverly's fabrics too. They are located in California and their online fabric is automatically 30% off. Fat Quarter is nice too and they often have the whole collection of fabric design. I love Paducah's catalog but have never ordered. What I actually do is google the name of the fabric I am looking for and then shop for the best price on the fabric and shipping. You have to figure in shipping in the cost of the fabric because sometimes that's the deal breaker!

I have no LQS close to my house, and the closest Joann's is about 20 miles away so I don't go there often. I shop at a variety of online stores, but most of my quilting fabric tends to come from Fabric.com. I like to wait until the fabric I want is either on sale or better yet on clearance, and if I am really lucky, I have a 15% off code to use combined with their sales prices. Shipping is free if I spend more than $35 which is always the case. When you register with fabric.com they send you "valued customer" discount codes several times a year besides the ones they publish often on their site. Also I found that about half the time, If I put fabric in my cart (make sure to log in first) and then don't finalize the order for a for a day or two, they will send me a reminder that I have items in my cart along with a 10% discount code.