I have read with interest the comments about Likes/Dislikes in Quilt stores and one of the 'likes' was lots of samples around the store.

So I am curious as to what samples other quilters like to see in quilt stores, what your LQS has on show, do they change their samples regularly, does the LQS sell the 'samples' after the fabric range is gone, etc

My LQS has a nice selection of completed quilts an some bags but they don't change for maybe months on end. I know it is hard for a store to keep up with samples, but do you want to see large completed quilts, or does your LQS just have some quilt tops sewn so you can see the fabrics / pattern.

I have heard comments from quilters that they really like the quilt / pattern shown in a LQS but wouldn't buy it because they could never do the 'beautiful quilting' as shown. Are the 'samples' shown in your LQS way out of your skill level and does this tend to put you off buying that fabric / pattern?

I've purchased kits or patterns and fabrics to recreate samples, lots of times! One of my favourite LQS has kits made up of many of their samples, and some of their others samples are from their classes - a good way to cross-promote both the fab/pattern and the class :)

If I'm worried about how that pattern goes together, most times the staff are all too happy to help me understand the pattern / instructions.

I don't like it when I go to a quilt shop and see a sample that I really like and they tell me they no longer have the pattern or the fabric. I don't care as much about the fabric, but I think once the pattern is no longer available, they should take the sample down. In our LQS they have samples from all skill levels so that isn't a problem for me. They also have classes for most of their samples so you would have some help making the quilt.

I agree!

I also like samples. I really like to see different color waves. My LQS had a pattern that the picture was awful. They make a quilt with a popular fabric they had and the pattern sales took off. That's how much a sample can sell the pattern.

My LQS has wonderful samples - and they change through the seasons - I think most of them are available for purchase when taken down. They have great prices on the finished product. If I see a quilt I like - the owner can help me get the fabric and usually gives me a free pattern - I love it because I get inspiried by the samples and I can get all the materials in one place.

My LQS changes their sample quilts and projects almost weekly. I am in there every Tuesday morning for an ongoing quilt class. The quilt instructor will help with any pattern we bring in or purchase there, unless it is being offered as a special class. Then she waits until after the class is held to help us on our own. If I see something I want to eventually make, I will purchase fabric and pattern and have her help me later if I need it. Unfortunately they have way too many samples of projects that I want to make with so little time and not enough money!

They do make a lot of their samples available for purchase too.

Sometimes they're out of my skill range and other times they just inspire me. Threads of Time in Danville has many, many sample pieces and display them beautifully. They have things that employees have made specifically for display, vintage quilts, and some things that customers have made. My spiral table runner is on display there now. If a customer wants to purchase something that's on display, the shop calls the creator of the item and asks if it can be sold and the price.

What I find the most frustrating is when you see fabrics in the quilt on the wall and they don't have the fabric any more. That makes me crazy. Or even the smaller shops that never had the fabric or the pattern. Yes, I like to see them change at least once a month.