That's the same problem I have - I see the colors I want first before even looking at a pattern. If I can't find the right colors, it's hard to change a vision - so I don't buy. I like desert southwestern colors mostly.

$5.00/yard
 

There are some of us who are still pricing quality fabric at $5/yard although I am paying more for it wholesale than that in some cases...

It is sad that so many quilt shops are closing. We have a couple within a 200 mile radius that have stopped using the punch card on purchases and lower the cost of the fabric. When we go on a shop hop guess what shops sell the most.

Yes I know you pay a bit more at you local LQS but if you continue to buy at Jo Ann and Walmart what are they to do. They have bills to pay just like we do. I have had a shop in the past but just could not compete.

5 shops in all
 

I was stunned to hear about Blessings closing. BBS was closing due to health problems? Not sure why Patches is closing. The Quilted Garden says she is redirecting her focus to her design business. And Fabric Noshiere is up for sale due to family considerations. That's five shops in the metro area, but they're not all economic reasons.

Wondering what the shop hop will be like. I stopped by the new one east of Manchester & Lindbergh yesterday, Janie Lou, cute but small, very nice owners. Carries French General, other Moda including the solids, and some Free Spirit, some laminates, some precuts - not exactly modern, a little more contemporary.

My favorite one closed in Carthage.....really loved that shop and it really only took me 3 or 4 hours to get there...was a nice day trip!!

I am near St. Louis, but my daughter just bought a house in Overland Park. I LOVE some of the shops near you and when I visit always find the time to check some of them out.

I was also told yesterday that the Hen House was closing but I have not confirmed this yet. Where are you located. I live in St. Peters

The only LQS in my county is closing so the owner can travel. However, when I shopped in there I didn't feel particularly welcome, the fabric style was definitely not my style and when I asked about machine applique I was told that "Real quilters do needle applique!". Obviously I am not going to personally miss it but I'm sure others will.

I think this has been the "perfect storm" , a high cost of fabric, high unemployment, high anxiety over the economy in general. Additionally, the realization amoungst many quilters that they have accumulated years of quilting making supplies. As consumers .. we might have gone on as we had accumulating , but the conditions in the market , that I mentioned earlier, prompted many to apply the breaks on spending. Lets face it for most of us our consumption rate ( fabric purchased) never matched the production rate. When you consider making a bed size quilt can cost $250 or more using top goods... its becomes apparent our loved hobby is an expensive one.
Sad to see local businesses shutter their doors.