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Amen sister, I agree 100%

they always have what your looking for when you can't find it anywhere. And at that point you need to be picky.

I do shop at Walmart or at times at Joanns but generally quilt stores have way better and nicer fabrics.

Walmart has no fabric.Better selections.help and ideas.Can answer your questions.

Quote:

Originally Posted by KarenR

Why do I go to the local LQS:
I go for the Block of the MOnth club.
I go because I like to feel the fabrics and lay them out to pick the colors.
I go because they have a great Bargin Basement.
I go because I pick their brains.
I go because I really enjoy talking to them.
I go JUST TOO HAVE FUN!

Ditto! Plus I prefer the quality, unusual prints and camaraderie. I believe it's a "Sister-hood".

The ladies at my lqs waited for me to come in when I called them just after they closed today. When I got there I told one lady what I needed - she pulled my fabrics for me while another lady cut -- I was out of there in about 5 minutes --
At Walmart if I am lucky enough to find someone to cut my fabric they very seldom are able to help in finding anything.

I go to the local LQS 'cause of all the reasons listed above and one more, I feel "jazzed about quilting" when I leave.

I totally agree!

Quote:

Originally Posted by PaperPrincess

Often, but not always, the LQS will have fabric of a higher quality. You also should be getting some additional help and direction from the staff at the LQS. The cutters at JoAnn's and WM may not have any quilting experience, let alone sewing experience! I've gotten lovely fabrics at all 3.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maureen

.... plus quilt shops will help if you need it, Mine even lets me use their big table to layout my quilt for sandwiching, etc.

We’re a little “Mom & Pop” Fabric Shop in rural Oklahoma, and have/use an old antique cutting table that once was in the local TG&Y Store here in town. It’s one of the old 6-ft square tables with scissor channels and brass yard measures on two sides, and it stands higher than normal tables. There’s no telling how many (free) “pinning parties” that we have had around that old table. My wife always helps pin, and I have even gotten in on one or two myself. Once in a while, the pinning has to stop to measure fabric for another customer, but most likely, the other customer will just join in to help get things pinned, and wait to have their fabric cut afterwards.

The cutting table will handle the larger quilts by moving it around after the center portion has been pinned. The next-best place for pinning would be at one of the Church activity hall rooms, on multiple tables pushed together, but that requires more work. Our table is always set up, and you even get free helpers!

There’s usually fabric in the quilt that didn’t come from our shop, and sometimes there may not be any part of the quilt that came from our shop, but that’s ok. We get to see and feel fabrics that we may want to include in our inventory in the future. Besides, it can bring up interesting stories about how and where they came up with some of their fabrics or blocks. It’s kind of like an impromptu quilting bee.

CD in Oklahoma

That is really so nice of you. You can't get that at JoAnn's.