There are 8 quilt shops in the area. One is in a private home and she has great prices. She is just around the corner from Quilt Bugs. Maybe we could all get together and do a shop hop.
The shops are:
Hertha-private home
Quilt Bugs
Quilts Ole
SW Decoratives
Ann Silvas
Quilt Works
Quilts from the Heart
Busy Bee

I'm in.

If you buy fabric and other quilting items from that store, then go ahead and sew there.

If they don't already have classes you may start a trend for them to do so. It is to they're advantage to have you there. You help them show how much fun quilting can be and thus help them sell more fabric and such. You also show others how much the store personnel will help them if they need it. You become free publicity for them.

If you still feel awkward ... take them a homemade cake or something you all can share.

A LQS without any quilting activity is usually a store I would avoid.

ali

There's one i didn't know about,selling from her own home wow.I wish i wasn't hours away.Connie in CO

I didn't know about it either and I live here. Most of these shops I only go to during the yearly hop. I always feel like I have to buy something and there's always plenty I want to buy. LOL

Hi Ree Ann,
I'm not too far from you, but I'm a beginner too, so I don't think I can help you too much, but would be willing to try or at least share my experiences.
I have found the ladies at Quilt Works to be very helpful and friendly.

I'm going to have to try and check out the private home store. I didn't know about that one! If you guys do a shop hop - I would love to join you.
Donna

Oh-oh! So will I. Can you PM me a list? I'd like to do a meet up with anyone in the area if possible. DH & I are participants in the fiesta and we'll have hoards of people with us as well so I'm not sure how much time I'll really have but I'd love to make it work!

Donna we will have to get together and maybe we can help each other out. Connie in CO sounds like you need to tell us when you can do a shop hop then we could plan around that. Are you going to be here with a ballon or as a vender?