I always shop in a store, either lqs, walmart, etc. When I do the shop hop, you have access to a gazillion online sites to buy fabric. I have only ordered fabric twice on line. Only because I was looking for something specific and wasn't in a local store.

My question is, how can you choose the fabric/store? Most of the stores have generally the same lines of fabric (example: Moda) Do you usually just find a favorite store and stick to that? I start looking at the fabric and there are sooo many choices. All I can think is that thank goodness I don't have the room or unlimited budget :lol:

What are your thoughts??

For me it's been word of mouth and I won't buy anything with excessive shipping- that really turns me off!

When shopping for a particular line of fabric I search at quiltshops.com to find the best price. I've used several online stores that I found there and haven't had any problems.

i shop by price and typically that means fabric.com (coupons and free shipping), thousands of bolts, quilt fabric closeout, whittles, etc.

if i'm going to pay $8-$11 a yard for fabric online (basically retail but still cheaper then local) i use equilter because they donate money to a charity of your choice from a list.

i figure if they all have that price might as well give it to the online company that does outreach work.

I very rarely buy fabric online. When I know I'm headed to Fabric Shack, I will submit an order with "pick up on store on XX date" in the instructions. They'll hold it in the store for you :-). Otherwise, I only buy online if I win a gift certificate someplace or I'm looking for a certain fabric. I use the multi-store search that Fabric Shack belongs to and choose the store with the best price, provided of course that the shipping is reasonable. I hate buying fabric unseen and don't trust the colors on my monitor to be exactly true to life.

I love Connectingthreads.com...and I also have had good luck on Ebay, and here! I don't mind not getting to see in person, and touch the fabric 1st...it is like Christmas when it comes in...I can't wait to tear into that package! That being said, I have some friends who really want to see it and touch it 1st...just a preference thing...what ever makes you happy, I say! When I do order online, I check the ratings of the seller, and I also like to get best deal on shipping...
K

I have recently bought several fabrics on line and been very happy with them. I was looking for fall colors, both prints and blenders. I bought some from Quilters roost, Moda, Henry Glass, Thimbleberries, etc. All were $6 per yard and on sale for 20% off so I got them for $4.80 per yard! They are beautiful.
I would only buy name brand fabrics on line. I have also had good luck with fabric for Missouri Quilt Co. I only buy on sale and often if you buy $35 or $50 you get free shipping.

I have made stock in Connecting Threads go way up!! I love their line of the Quilters Candy.

I signed up for the Fab Shop Hop a while back and discovered many places new to me. Some I liked, some I didn't for various reasons (high shipping, slow or not good customer service, etc.) I have my favorites I shop at, and still try new ones sometimes. I shop ebay if the deals are good. Most times you can find better deals in the online quilt shops. I have my favorite brands and am often looking for something in particular. I have only once been a little disappointed in my choice, but that's nothing considering how much I shop online! It will get used someday, probably for a quilt back.

if you are looking for a particular fabric, start with a good search engine, such as:

http://www.quiltshops.com/

I go to Advanced Search, and click on Thumbnails so I can quickly search to see who has the fabric in the color I'm looking for. Then I check the prices, shipping and decide from there who to buy from.

Our local quilt shop does not cary Civil War reproductions any more or 1930 reproductions. Also their sellection is limited and often when there is a key fabric from a certain line it is gone before I can get to it so online I go.