I had in my hands a $10 gift certificate to Borders, so there I headed. I knew $10 wouldn't get me far in the books section, so I headed to the magazines. I found an issue (the second one, I think) of Quilt Life. I am a big fan of Ricky Tims. Not so much of Alex Anderson, but I respect her for her work at Simply Quilts. Not so much for her own work, but for finding new faces and so many different techniques. Oopps, I am off topic.

I picked up the issue and went home. I have been reading it for two nights and have still not found a single article worth reading. There is nothing new, nothing interesting, just same old stuff and a lot of ads. Have I said that I hate ads? I am happy I didn't get a subscription.

Am I the only one who thinks like this? What is YOUR opinion?

yes, lots of magazines now have tons of ads and not worth buying,

can you take it back and exchange it for another quilt magazine or book, worth a try!

I love magazines, but hate it when I get home and there is nothing good enough to take 5 minutes of my time reading it. At Border's, it is ok to read the mags and books - they encourage it! and have the mag section right next to the cafe - so I often just take time to look through the ones I think might be good, and if they catch my interest, I buy them. That way I can weed out the duds. I almost always find one I like...

My LQS sells old magazines for $1. I enjoy picking them for that price.

bought a subscription to Quilt Life. Figured since it was Ricky Tims and his books are awesome that the new mag would have several intresting things. With Alex Anderson her books are so helpful that they might have some tricks up their sleeves.....needless to say I'm very disappointed.

I just keep seeing the same old quilt patterns and blocks labeled with "new" names and really nothing that inspires me. I find the quilts posted here give me much more inspiration.

I get almost no mags anymore. Same problem. Nothing new.

Well, I got a great recipe for green enchiladas out of the first issue! That is about all. Didn't even buy the second one.

When I see a new magazine hit the stands my first instinct is to buy it. But I have a new rule -- the magazine must have 3 patterns that I absolutely love or it stays on the shelf. I have the same rule with new books. I just don't have enough space to buy books and magazines on impulse. And I've saved a lot of money this way. Trade, lend and borrow magazines with your friends. Look for books at the used book stores. Don't be disappointed by another book or magazine.

This is why I have cancelled my subscriptions :(

I have let most of mine lapse. I do still get Quilt, but it was $10.00 for the year :wink: I always flip through a magazine before I buy then , and lately nothing has been worth buying :cry:

My favorite LQS, Threads of Time in Danville, Il. has couple of spots in the retreat center where people bring the quilting/knitting magazines they no longer want and leave them. If you find one you want you just take it. When you're done you can bring it back or keep it, no one cares. Just another part of their great customer service.

I stopped buying magazines last year as they were so repetitive and so many ads. I had 7 magazines regarding quilting and I canceled them all. I find I look thru the old books and find patterns that are great to use.

I am letting my subscriptions run out little by little. although I do enjoy Quick Quilts........

I just started McCall's Quilting but I can't say that I am very impressed....

didn't get the first issue......called and they told me that they couldn't send me one but they will extend mine by one more issue...

I placed my order in March and with the subscription, I was to receive a pair of small Stork scissors....have called three times and have yet to receive them........oh well, another one that won't get renewed......

I'm letting mine run out too. McCalls has akways been my favorite, but they're becoming very repetitive. IN FACT.. COVERS ALL LOOK THE SAME. Wouldn't you think they could at least change the front of the mag?

Do not buy a magazine unless I have gone completely though it. I am getting to feel the same way about the magazines. I get Fons and Porter, Quilters Newsletter, and believe it is McCalls. But will give them up when time to renew.

The stork scissors aren't worth the phone call. I have them. I do not have large hands (size 5-1/2 ring) and the scissors are so small that my thumb and finger get stuck. I'll keep my Gingher embroidery scissors nearby. I am now making it a habit to grab a quilt magazine on my way to the checkout line in JoAnn's. They never have enough cashiers and the line is usually long, so I read their magazine for free and just leave it on the counter when it is FINALLY my turn to check out. I'm going to let mine expire as they run out in the next year. The don't excite me anymore.

I'm sitting here realizing I'm not alone. I have about 250 quilt magazines I've been trying to get rid of and can't get anyone to haul them away. I'd be happy to send all or part to anyone who will cover the postage.

We have a senior citizens center here and there is a group that meets and quilts a few times a week. Do you have anything like that where you are? I am sure they would love to get a donation like that. I would drive to pick them up for the center in our community, but Yosemite is a bit far from Michigan.

Yes, there are lots of ads in magazines. They make the magazines affordable. Mail and printing costs are sky high. Basically, putting out a magazine is like publishing a little book. If there weren't any ads, a single copy would cost as much as a book.

I love the Quilt Life magazine. It concentrates on quilters and on different topics that would interest quilters. The recent issue was chock full of interesting bits. There were had articles on two male quilters with unique perspectives, Joe Cunningham and Eric Wolfmeyer. Another article described the Peace Quilts project in Haiti, women helping themselves through quilting. And there was another article by Laura Fisher about a quirky antique alphabet quilt. I was fascinated.

The article of most interest to me was a challenge that they gave to 5 different quilters- a plain yellow and blue star quilt- and asked them to quilt it. The array of quilting styles was astounding!

I find the Quilt Life refreshingly different from other quilt magazines, in that it doesn't concentrate on patterns. If I live to be 100, I will never use all the patterns available to me. I have every copy of Quilters Newsletter since 1969. I have dozens of quilt books.

With the internet, the patterns are infinite. I don't need to see another pattern for a 9patch, log cabin, or pinwheel quilt. I love these old standards but I can do these myself with no help, no pattern, in a dozen different settings.

I'm more interested in people and their creativity.

my subscriptions are all running out now;i've decided i am not going to renew...i really get an attitude about more adds than content, seems like the cost of subscription plus newsstand pricing should about cover costs plus i get so tired of 5-15 little subscription cards falling out of ever magazine...seems like if you already subscribe you should receive the mag without the subscription offers...
but that's just me i suppose. i loved Fons and Porter for a long time but even that one leaves much to be desired anymore so now, if i see a new mag on the shelves at the store i will pick it up and browse it but if there is not something new and i just have to do it the mag goes back...they have become so expensive and to just take up space ... i'm trying to be more ... cost consience (sp)and find ways to cut back...magazine subscriptions and random purchases are an easy way to cut back.

Cancelled all 5 of mine, am now downloading from websites or using old ones. I have so many patterns-so little time

I agree with ckcowl, they have gotten so expensive. I try to get them used, I bought some really nice ones from a gal here, or rummage sales. I admit I love looking at quilting magazines though..they inspire me!!!!!!! But, I can come here and be inspired too!