New LQS
 

Yesterday I went to the Grand Opening of a new LQS about 20 miles from home. I was impressed with what they had to offer for a new business and their willingness to help my sister with a fabric they did not have in store but were willing to order for her. She also said depending on demand she would be willing to make available LA machine to rent by the hour. I hope this comes about. For me 20 miles is a long trip since I rarely go that distance from home anymore. How far do you drive to be able to go to a LQS. I understand there is another one in the other direction that is about the same distance. I am curious on just how far you are willing to drice to a LQS. I had a wonderful morning and I couldn't sleep thinking about all the fun I had. I didn't buy a piece of fabric, though I was tempted. I did buy some rulers for ruler quilting that I want t o learn how to do.. It was a lot of fun.

I really hope that all business owners can survive.

Basing on my activities/spending - not many of them will. I have reached the point where I am looking for ways to un-accumulate instead of adding to my stuff.

I can now understand why businesses aim their marketing efforts at younger people.

But - back when I was buying - I would travel many miles and make many trips in search of fabric(s).

I love road trips, so I have no problem driving a distance. I go with a friend and we make a day of it, stopping anywhere that looks interesting, and have lunch. Usually 75 miles or so.

I live in rural Idaho so driving is a way of life, but We have a wonderful LQS just 15 miles from here. She is set up on her own property and we call to be sure she is open. The next one is about 30 miles and then 86 if desperate! My favorite is the 1st one, her choices are amazing and seem to fit every ones taste.

I am hoping that she will carry Accuquilt before to long. I hope she will be able to stay in business. We don't have to much out this way I am grateful right now that I live equal distance from both of them. I don't think I would drive much further that 20 miles.

Before I moved two years ago, I drove an hour to hour and half to visit quilt shops. I didn't mind but it was hassle when I ran out of fabric color I needed right then. Now I have three great shops less then ten miles from me. I'm in them all the time to see what is new. I love my new town. We loved living rural when raising our family. The kids got the outdoor upbringing, but now that DH and I are getting old, it's nice to be more in town.

Living in rural Pennsylvania I have always driven to get to quality quilt shops. Not withstanding a trip to the Quilter 's paradise of Lancaster County, I have driven as far as 90 minutes one way to get to a good shop.

A new LQS is always exciting! I was thrilled when my LQS was purchased when it was for sale instead of closing. The new owner has made lots of changes and it is so nice to them. It is about 1 1/2 miles from my house so I can and have walked to it.

How nice to have a new shop close to you. Great customer service will keep them busy and successful. Perhaps you can take a class or teach a class there.

I have 3 LQS that I frequent. The one that sells and services my machine has two shops. One is 27 miles to the the south in the next county. I drove there Saturday to pick up my machine. I purchased the upgrade and a new magnetic hoop too. The sister store (same owners) is 22 miles to the north of me in the county. There were 3-5 classes each month that I attended there. Classes are on hold for now. I am happy to be halfway between both stores. They are like home.

Saturday I also drove to another store again in county to the north. I needed a fabric line that she carried for a BOM quilt. That purchase was for fourteen plus yards. The owner does the LA quilting for me on my quilts. A place just like home too.

Yes, I will drive for great customer service from them all.

There is one shop 30 miles from me, but the owner has a terrible personality..she criticizes your fabric choices and rolls her eyes if you tell her what you're working on! There are 2 shops, 60 miles away, one east and one west, and I'd rather drive there than go to the one closer!

The closest LQS for me is 80 miles, then for right now, there's 2 more 20 more miles, unfortunately the one I reallyyyyyy like is closing her shop and moving to Idaho, to be closer to her kids, her dh was killed a little more than a year ago, I really like her fabrics and her prices.

I guess I am really lucky. Local quilt shop is about 1 mile from my home. One west of me about 32 miles, one south of my bout 30 miles. But a couple of friends of mine and I think nothing of making a day trip and travel 200 miles or so to shop several shops, depending on which direction we go. I live out in the middle of nowhere in north west Kansas. Lucky me. Oh yes, there is a small quilt shop that is open for 3 hours 2 evenings a week that is about 6 miles from me. The girls here in town, are very accommodating

I have a LQS about 35 miles to the north of me, which is my favorite. She has a great selection, great personality, and I am always happy when I leave.
i also have a LQS about 40 miles to the south of me, it is larger than the north one, but I am not as taken with the fabric selection, I have left the shop more than once empty handed. The ladies that work in the shop are very helpful and always happy to see you which is why I return to look even if I don't buy.

Twenty miles is not that far to me... I love supporting LQSs and being able to see and touch fabric in person. I hope your new LQS does well.

The LQS I go to the most is about that far away. My shop has Quilt Clubs which are a fun way to keep motivated. So 20 miles is worth it to me.

I hate shopping in stores. Would much prefer to shop online, so for me Missouri star Quilt Company is my LQS. LOL. When I do need something right away I go to Hobby Lobby which is about five miles away. Their fabric and sewing department is fairly decent.

I love road trips, so I have no problem driving a distance. I go with a friend and we make a day of it, stopping anywhere that looks interesting, and have lunch. Usually 75 miles or so.

I have quilt shops close to me but sometimes I get the urge to go to Marshall's which is about a 2 1/2 hour drive and off I go. Usually about every two months I decide to go. Sometimes I get an urge to be overwhelmed with quilting so I leave on Thursday to drive 8 hours to Missouri Star and come home on Sat. I'm going where I want when I want before it comes a time I can't. I use to drive to Paducah quilt show every year but since covid it has gotten a little less awesome to me. Less events in the town during quilt week as there use to be. Missouri Star birthday bash is more fun to me.

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I have a quilt shop 3 miles from me - the owner and I don't agree on several things, but I can live with it. I'm there to get fabric, not make a new best friend. She was horrified that I prewash fabric and one time she let me know my color choices weren't what she would pick. Such is life. Another one 12 miles out in the country. Friendly owners and great fabrics more to my taste. JoAnn's is 47 miles. Hobby Lobby is 3 1/2. So, I guess my preferred distance is 12 miles. That's not far in a rural area.

One shop owner told me my fabric choices were too clashy and would not look good in a quilt. I told her okay you choose a better selection and give it to me free or let me buy my selection. She shut up.

I literately laughed out loud. Love it.

Janey - Neat people never make the exciting discoveries I do.
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My LQS is only 7 miles away from me and they are wonderful. Employees are always helpful and greet me by name. They offer a wide range of classes and have retreats and open sews and specials for us all the time. When store was closed during COVID they offered online QALs. The owners father and son even delivered online purchases free even when I had paid for mailing (which they refunded). If you are ever in the Seattle area I suggest you visit Quilting Mayhem in Snohomish about 25 miles north of Seattle. I know shameful plug but I love these ladies and this store.

I go as far as my computer keyboard. I find better prices, better sales and so far have had no issues with any of the fabric I've order from different sites. Saves a lot of time to be able to grab a cup of tea and just browse through the sites. I can put items in my cart to compare as I surf the site instead of wondering back and forth down the aisles in the LQS (s) hoping that I saw everything and compared what I did like, before I decided or didn't decide because I was too tired to think straight anymore.

It is fun to get out and touch, but with covid and now being used to doing it via the computer. I find it more relaxing and I make better choices to do it from the keyboard.

Where was the new store? Maybe I need to go see it. Love sister time.
G

Even though I live in the 'burbs of a large metropolitan area, until recently there were no quilt stores closer to me than 20+ miles. I drive a little over 20 miles twice a month to go to a quilting bee at one. There is a new store that is only about 10 miles from my house. Even though I don't have a lot of money to spend right now, I'm trying to buy the things I do need from her to support her business. She had a long arm business before she opened the store and so has 3 long arms and also just bought a laser cutting machine. I'm so happy she's doing so well. She's a wonderful lady.

Since moving to Iowa in 2011, I very seldom get out and drive to LQS. The closest is over 20 miles from here, and I hate driving on intersate 80 to get there. When I lived in Missouri, I knew my way around and could drive forever without a problem or getting lost. Have been down-sizing lately, but I do sometimes order fabric on-line.

One of my favorite new things to do lately is to take back roads everywhere. My husband and I have seen some amazing, gorgeous scenery this summer, and haven't had to deal with traffic at all. It's been so much fun!

What you can do is set the navigation system in your car, or whatever map app you use on your phone, to NOT use any freeways.

I did, too Janey!