online fabric stores
 

I am thinking of using Thousands of Bolts. I live in Canada and wonder if there are any charges that I should be aware of. It seems like their prices are too good to be true. Is there quality to their fabrics? Fabric is sooooooooooo expensive in Ontario that I am every shade of green envy towards the ladies that live in the US. The couple of local quilt shops start at $18.00 per meter. FabricLand can go as high as 25.00 per meter for basic quality cottons with few choices available. Online fabric stores in Canada charge very high shipping fees along with the high prices.

I've used Thousands of Bolts and have always been very happy with the quality of their fabric. I mainly use them for backings but sometimes have found a specific line I need to match. My success rate with matching colors when ordering online isn't very good unless I know the fabric line. That being said, I do a lot of stash building when I see something I like. I subscribe to their newsletter and get notified of specials like fat quarter bundles (which aren't always available) and other special sales. Don't know about charges for Canada.

I also have purchased from Thousands of Bolts and have always been happy. I, like quiltsRfun usually stick with fabric for backings or purchase several fabrics in a collection so I know they will coordinate. I would suggest you email them and see what additional charges there are.

I would not hesitate to use thousands of bolts. Their fabric usually is last seasons line, but it doesn't appear to be seconds. I don't know if there are any other charges for Canada, though! Good luck!

Hopefully you'll get ton's of great ideas. I have used a Thousand Bolts and it was a good experience. I have also ordered from the following online shops with good results. Connecting Threads and Keepsake Quilting might also be good. Of course there may be extra charges for Canadian shipments.

http://www.bearpawquilting.com/cgi-bin/Store/store.cgi
http://beautifulquiltfabric.com/Patr...FcqDQgodnCwAcw
http://quilt-kits-online.com/products.php?cat=35
http://www.equilter.com

Per Thousand of Bolts website, they do ship to Canada.

USPS Priority Flat Rate to Canada

1-6 yards = $20.95
7-9 yards = $21.95
10-30 yards = $41.95
* All calculations based on regular width cotton or batik fabrics. 1 yard of flannel or WIDE quilt backing calculates as approximately 2 yards.

If you order 6 yards, I'd go ahead and find 3 more.

If you want more than 10 but less than 30, I'd find some friends to share the order.

I am in the US but I have ordered from Thousands of Bolts...it's just older fabric, but all quilt shop quality. I buy fabric more to suit my needs for a particular quilt rather than buying in collections or because of the print...so for me it's great. If you are into collections or having the newest fabrics, then you might not like it...but otherwise I think they are wonderful! ;)

I wasn't happy at the overcharge of shipping from 1,000 Bolts. I prefer Fabric Shack. Take a peek because I know they have shipping charges displayed on their website to Canada. Batiks on sale for $6.99 gets me shopping there at least once a month. Just received my order last week from when the entire store was on sale 10% off.

I've ordered from 1,000 Bolts many times. Have always been pleased and have never found them to have hidden agendas. Connecting Threads is excellent too. Right now they have all their already low fabric at 20% off for a week. Also think their batting is on sale until the end of the month. Also, there is a special shipping rate to Canada believe until the end of this month too.

Connecting threads may be another option for you. I would love to place an order with CT and know they ship to Canada. They also charge the local taxes and say they ship to the border and then Canada Post takes it from there. But how much are the brokerage fees? That's where we may get stung! When I ordered a book from USA, I paid the price of the book plus to ups for brokerage etc. making the item extremely expensive.

You may wish to look at 'Sew Sisters" in Ontario. Their shipping charges are very low and fabrics are quilters quality. Also "Hamels" here in BC. Hamels have a sale of 20% off at least once each month and free shipping over $200.00.

If a Canadian on this form who has ordered from connecting threads can let me know how they made out, I'd very much appreciate it.