I tjink the economy is causing not only quilt shops to close but many other stores to I'm thankful that I started both a fabric stash and pattern stash years ago so I can still sew but the young raising families cannot afford the speciality stores and neither can ones on fixed incomes and yes I have seen quilt shops in my area close

I'm in the Raleigh area and one of our favorites just closed last month. However, we've had another to open up so we are happy about that. I think the quilt shops are having a hard time right now so we really need to support them. Fabric is very expensive these days, in my opinion. With my shameful stash, I find myself sewing from my stash and only picking up accent or border fabrics from the LQS.

I think it is a sign of the times. People are having to save money or have no money for some extras and they are cutting back on spending. Quilt shops have beautiful quality fabric, but it is very expensive. People are having to buy at less expensive stores to do their hobbies. It's sad that small businesses can't make it now.

Three that i shopped at closed and then two more opened. I really miss the one in my town that closed. Now everything is a half hour drive away.

Katey: were you able to get in on their sales when they closed ? I found some fantastic material for quilting. I have only been in their new store once.

Yes it is sad to see some of our favorites close. As I look at the price for a yard 36inches of fabric then divide it by the $12.75 thats how much per inch or approx $.35 per inch then you think you have to "square up" and throw that amount in the trash Mmm. The shops have no control over the price they have to pay for that fabric and it's pretty much cash on delivery usually 30 days so each bolt has 15 yds or so X $ X how many bolts to a line. It staggers the mind. The old addage charge what the market will bear, well for me I think some of these manufacturers should be taking a look at this but when you think that all the fabric is printed in other countries not here, no we chased the textile mfg out of the U.S. a long time ago. So how many times has that bolt of fabric been shipped across the ocean and back? Travel isn't cheap that stuff is traveled better than I am!
I love quilt shops and my hat off to them that can keep going their margin is so low - so love a quilt shop today!

Just curious Does anyone know what the mark-up is at LQS? 50%??

I think it depends on how much fabric turnover and other business overhead expenses they have. My LQSs are marking the new fabrics at $10.99-11.49 a yard. When I travel with DH to Lancaster (I get to tag along on business), The Old Country Store in Intercourse, PA has the same new Hoffman Batiks under $9.50 and new cotton lines at $8.75-8.95.

I was told that "crafts" have a 5 year span. 2 years on the upswing, 1 year really hot, and one year on the way out. This has been true of many crafts. Knitting, crocheting and quilting have been around for centuries but they too have had ebbs and flows. Knitting and quilting are hot now but these may be heading downward because of the cost of materials.

I live SE of Houston and we lost KMART several years ago, our Walmarts no longer carry fabric and I only know of 3 LQS besides Hobby Lobby (fabric never seems to change) and Joanns is 20 miles away. I have better luck online, and fortunately (knocking on wood) I have been pleased with what I have purchased online. I cringe at the thought of paying more than $5 per yd. I watch clearance sales and coupons.