Most of the shops around here do it. When it is during normal hours and you are just using their space, it is generally free. If it is an evening or weekend and a person there to help, I think it's about $10, which seems fair enough if you need help plus you are using their irons,etc. I have done it a couple times but I generally get more done on my own,

We have once a month Fabric Therapy - but my husband likes to call it Stitch and __itch. :D Sorry, guess the capital "B" on my machine isn't working! It's costs ten dollars and you get pizza and beverage and lots of fun.

At least one of our local shops has this offering - I've never gone as I seem to get much more done on my own. I sew at least 4 days a week at home so get a lot done. When I want to socialize then I go to a guild work day for the company. Guess I'm more of a loner!

I live an hour away from a shop and thankfully my favorite shop has a UFO day - last Wednesday of the month from 10am to 10pm They serve us supper. They will answer our questions and offer help as needed. There is no charge and I can guarantee it comes back to them 10-fold in business. It is a great day that I hardly miss and I know several of the other ladies who feel the same.

A few months ago, I was whining that I wanted another day and my husband offered a building that he takes care of. (Masonic Lodge) We don't have the amenities as the LQS such as the fabric, thread, tools etc. but we are now doing an all-day sew (ADS) in my town. It has had a wonderful response. It goes from 9am to 10pm and I offer supper for $5 with husbands welcome to stop in.

This is central California.
If the open sew time is during regular work hours, some stores charge and others don't. We do use space, AC, tables, chairs, electricity, iron and board. If it's beyond regular business hours there's $10 chg as they also pay an employee to work those hours. She also helps with questions and sells merchandise. The stores allow eating on the premisis, but don't provide it. During group sew-ins, the space available for each participant may be limited to 1/2 or less of an 8ft table. Some stores have design wall space, others don't. Sewing projects need to be planned to stay within the space available. The space is being rented by the business to contribute to their business. They need to make a profit to stay in business.

Sometimes there are "finish with ____________" then there is a charge for the instructor.

Occasionally there is a "sew for charity" and there's no charge.

Most LQS have "down time" in their classroom space and will let patrons use it upon arrangement (may or maynot be a charge) to use large spaces for design or sandwich a quilt.

same here, our LQS invites anyone to join Friday evenings to work on any project, whether it's quilts or knitting, just a time and place to network with others...and no fee.

I am going to suggest it to our LQS. Wonderful idea. I have so many UFO's that I can attend every one of them for the rest of my life.

My quild has one once a month. We call it Stitch In.

One of the local shops in my area has a Quilt till you wilt, every couple of months and it is free.

I can understand if the LQS charges, especially if it's after hours. How would anyone like to stay after work for a few more hours and not get paid while they're helping others with their artistic endeavors. Put yourself in their shoes because yes the way costs of utilities are going up, some one has to pay for it. Comraderie is one thing but business is still business.