Naked in Houston?
 

My DH is off to Houston today for about a month on business - yippee! (oops *"I will miss you darling, come home soon"*). ;)

The 'naked' part is that I've given him strict instructions that he should throw out any worn clothes if it's a choice between that and fabric for the baggage allowance.:D

Anyway, as fabric is now $20-$22 a metre (39"), you can see why I'm excited! Priority Mail envelopes, which hold about 8 yards of fabric have just gone up and I think they're now $23.95 :eek:.

I'm planning having fabric etc sent to his hotel from the likes of Joanns, Fabric.com and Missouri Star, assuming I can get it sorted. He would also drive to a store to collect, but doesn't really have much clue about anything quilt-related. I'm particularly interested in backs for quilts as they're about $28 (or more) a yard here and batiks.

Are there any local quilt shops in West Houston that have a website too?

It's a shame you can't come with him. Good luck with your fabric purchases.

West Houston is fairly vague because it is so HUGE here but LQS that come to mind are Quilters Crossing in TomBall, Its a Stitch in Humble, Quilt N Sew in Katy, Quilt Works in Cypress--that is all that comes to my mind right now but its still early and I am sure there will be others that have more.

I agree with Irishgal--tisk tisk for not coming along we could have had a good time:-)


http://www.itsastitchonline.com/index.htm this store is all precuts now Humble
http://www.quiltworkstexas.com/ Good store kind of dark lighting but the staff is super nice Cypress
http://www.quilterscrossingtx.com/ My favorite LQS to go to Tomball
http://www.quiltnsew.com/ Nice lighting and staff Katy

Order from thousands of bolts for your quilt backs. Great quality and prices

Hancock of Paducah's and connecting threads have nice fabric at reasonable prices, look at the quilt kits too. Give him the dregs of old clothes (like pj,s undies and socks, exercise etc) to take with him, and not to bring home. Or have him wear 4 or 5 shirts, socks, pants on his trip back to lighten his luggage (hehe). An expandable carry on will help with fabric. Check the airline about number of carry ons and size, lots of fabric can be carried on. Did that a couple of years ago returning from NH.

No laws yet for fabric smugglers? (HEHE) that is from my dh.

That sounds so wonderful I hope you score big!!!!!!!

Ha, ha, ha. Poor man. He could wear yards and yards of fabric home too. Like a sarong or Sari (spelling). or a KILT? I can just picture him!

Might be worth having him buy an extra suitcase for fabric. You would probably save enough to pay for it and the extra bag charge.

If somehow he has a lot of fabric to bring back (ha, ha), he can always go to a discount store and get a very inexpensive suitcase to fill with fabric. Even if he has to pay for an extra suitcase, it is less expensive that postage. Have fun shopping, and have fun "unpacking" for him.
Sue

When I saw the title of this thread I thought maybe you were talking about the naked man quilt that was shown at the Houston Internation quilt festival a few years ago. It was quite the shocker of the day. :)

Christine
http://www.quiltdasher.blogspot.com/

As someone said, Houston is a very large metropolis. I live on the East side and not familiar with the NW side for quilt shops. Since he's going to be here for a month, GRS has a great selection of old and new Moda fabrics, plus a few others. Lots of luck getting your fabric home. Might have to leave DH there for an extended stay, :)

I keep forgetting how big y'all are :D. I live in a city of 220,000 and on a Sunday could drive from one side to the other in about 15 minutes (which is why we have only one LQS :hunf:).

Last time I was there I didn't quilt :shock:, just knit. DD was pregnant with our first GS. Had to buy an extra holdall - it was like dragging a body bag, I had so much stuff in it.............

I just tried to pay for a pattern ($4.95) and $2.38 tax and shipping but even though I can pay in dollars, because I have a UK PayPal and therefore email address, it keeps defaulting to $23.95 shipping :mad:. I've emailed them to see how I can get round this.

Definitely an extra suitcase at $50 or $60 is worth the extra fee if you can get him to fill it with the full 50 lbs. Of course, filling that 50 lbs will be pricey....

We always come back to Poland at full limit. Actually 50 lbs of fabric is quite a bit, and will give you a bit of sewing for some time. He can have the carry on space. :) That's what we do with our kids. We tell them they pack their own carry ons with the clothes that they want for the month or two that we are in the states. I use the rest of the space. Occasionally they do need to give me a few things to put in the big suitcases. But it works out well as then they don't have a lot of excess clothes in the U.S. as we always end up getting more either given to us or finding (usually at thrift stores). Plus, then I can plan what goes into the suitcases that we bring back. it pays to have newer suitcases or strong duffel bags that are light weight, so you aren't using up precious weight with the weight of the luggage itself like some of the older ones suitcases are.

I live in a SW suburb of Houston. Two of the shops I like are Quilter's Emporium (Stafford, TX) .and Quilter's Cottage (Richmond, TX). I think it's fair to say that most of the new, full price fabric at these locations is $11/yd.

Are you on the Joann's mailing list so you can use coupons??

Okay, so hubby loves you dearly and your wish is his command? Right? Does he have the experience to "shop"? I am on GRS & Quilters Crossing websites/email, but I would not be able to order from what I have seen....maybe just me. Both shops have wonderful sales clerks and/or owners who will help everyone find exactly what they need. I frequent them both...as regularly as I can. So.... does hubby have a list in his pocket? Do you need solids, prints, wild & crazy, Texas, backing? Do you need particular colors? Do you want yardage or pre-cuts? Or do you want him to surprise you? I think you could call Deb at Quilters Crossing and tell her what you want and you could trust her to completely satisfy you. She is just down the street and around the corner from my home....way too close....LOL. Most of her fabrics are about 1/2 the price of yours. FYI-Everything is neat, clean and organized in her shop too. OOPS, gotta go.....I think I need to go over there....just finished my last quilts....LOL

All the local shops folks have mentioned are really excellent. If he wants to take a drive one Saturday, tell him to check out the Painted Pony in La Porte. It's a drive, but it seriously is worth it. And the ladies there will be happy to help him make fabric selections to take back to you. I have frequented every single one of the local shops mentioned here, as I am currently in the NW section of the county, but I grew up in La Porte, and my folks still live there, so I make it to PP fairly often; it's my favorite LQS in Houston!

When in calif. I went to gooddwill for another luggage. Got a nice one and filled it full. So much cheaper then postage. Enjoy, post pic.

He should go to a resale shop or thrift store and purchase a huge suitcase, then put all the "goodies" in it and bring it back as an extra bag. Extra bags on airlines generally run $25. It is much cheaper than shipping. Last time I made a trip, I purchased so many goodies, that's what I did, I purchased a huge big extra suitcase and filled it to the brim with my goodies!

Thousands of bolts is a great place to shop on line for fabric, especially backing. They take pay pall and you can have different shipping and billing addresses. Before check out, thousands of bolts tells you how many yards you have left to order before you hit the next level of shipping charge. It is worth paying for shipping with them because the quality of the fabric is great and prices are low. Good luck!

Lets us what kind of goodies you get!

Knitette, I just thought of something.. why not call some of the local quilt shops that the ladies have mention here and give them a list of things you need with your credit card number etc... and have your husband go by and pick up the package... they would love to "shop" for you!! LOL!! Don't forget quilting supplies.. or books..
Wish you could come visit our country with your hubby..
big hugs
Quiltinmama

Connecting Threads just announced flat-rate shipping ANYWHERE in the world, and it's pretty reasonable, as are their fabrics and threads (sorry, I must ahve emptied my trash bin, I can't find the e-mail). They don't have a huge selection, but they do come out with new lines fairly often. You have to shop right away, as their last line sold out fairly quickly. So, when you run out of the stash your naked hubby brings, you can still shop. have fun with all your goodies!

Ok - I have to say that your title did grab my attention - lol. I had visions of a DH in his skivies wandering through the streets of Houston.

I am always amazed at the dry goods prices elsewhere. Sounds like the DH is a keeper - can not wait to see what he brings you home!!

Hancocks Fabrics has batiks on sale right now. http://www.hancockfabrics.com/ If you choose the quilting button you'll find lots of batiks, backings, etc. I watch that store for the batik sales, the fabrics are top quality.

Wow what fun. It's going to be like Christmas. Be sure and let him know how much you appreciate it because it is really going to be a LABOR of love.

I visit Houston a few times a year and this shop hands down is my favorite to visit...of course I haven't visited all the Houston shops mentioned here so may have to include those in my next trip =)

I live on the East side of Houston and my favorite shop is The Painted Pony in LaPorte. They have lots of fabric including a great "Sale" room. Their prices are not too bad and the friendly ladies there would be more than happy to help your husband out with choosing stuff for you.

Have hi buy a suitcase or two in TX and put your fabric in them if he can't get your fabric in his suitcase. No law about having more than one suitcase, right?

Good luck and enjoy your month of alone time to quilt!

Wow I don't blame you with those prices! I would have sent an empty duffle bags.

Your DH is definitely a keeper!

If I lived in Houston, I'd shop for you!! You could tell me what you want and I could deliver to your sweet DH! It would be fun to have another connection to another part of the world! Sadly, I'm in western Oklahoma where the "blizzard to remember" has just begun... wish I could help!!

He can get a good used suitcase at Goodwill. I would also only let him take 5 outfits. The hotel will have laundry and cleaning facilities. I think I'd just have the fabric and goodies shipped to the hotel. I know I wouldn't trust my DH to pick out fabric for me. LOL. He's a dear man, but not a fabric shopper. Can't wait to see what wonderful goodies you get!

He certainly is! Nearly 33 years :). He's quite used to trailing round knitting shops, but quilt shops are a new domain for him. He'll adapt ;).

Thanks for all the tips ladies - you never fail to amaze me with your knowledge and friendliness :)

If hubbie is not a shopper maybe one of the Houston quilters could meet him and help him shop.
Just a thought.

My DH is often my 'fabric mule' when he is working in the US. I order from any US based online fabric site and have them ship the stuff to his hotel. Unfortunately (for me) he's been working from home for the last 6 months! Lucky you!! Lots of sites have great sales right now. Just check out the list of shops from www.fabshophop.com.

there is a lsq in Spring TX which is NE of ? 35, and Tomball is NW of ?35 what ever that highway is that runs thru Houston., also lots of antique shops at both places, and great restraunts in Spring, oh a great desert place in Tomball. Hope he has fun, he will eat at the wonderful BBQ place in Houston I'm sure. Tell him to yell Howdy to my sister in Spring. lol

I like www.thousandsofbolts.com. Good prices, huge selection, lots of quilt back fabrics. There site search feature isn't very good. Have fun shopping.

Connecting Threads has the best prices.