Quilting Angel

I agree. I would love to shop at Joanne's or Walmart, but I don't have a Joanne's near by and our walmart doesn't carry fabric of any kind. The only place for me to shop is Hancocks, and they are VERY expensive.

TootieAnn

Better quality fabric, great customer service, classes, friends! Also the LQS appreciates my business and Wal-Mart couldn't care less. My Wal-Mart no longer sells fabric but when they did it was almost impossible to get anyone to cut it for me. Maybe if they'd had better service, they would have sold more fabric. I don't know. I also like the displays and books found at a LQS and I like to see how each shop is different.

rusty quilter

I agree. No, it isn't usually "cheaper" but you are supporting your local economy, and as you say--I can't lay out 5 fabrics when I am shopping online and see how they play off of one another. Also, I can't always get quality thread at JoAnns or other quilting notions that are unique.

malindaann

Being new to quilting I have found that the ladies and gents in the smaller stores will actually talk to you, give advice, and help you find what you are looking for. They will also often, depending on how frequently you shop there, offer impromptu discounts that will rival Joann's or any other bigger, less personable craft shop. They've even offered to let me make and appointment to meet with them for concentrated assistance as Saturday morning at 11 am is not the time to be asking a thousand questions when the shop is hopping.

suebee

I have found fabric at the quilt stores are usually of higher quality and better selection of prints.

klc

I agree with all of the above. I love the friendship, the classes, the knowledge and expertise the other quilters willingly give. I buy to support them when I can. I appreciate having a LQS nearby. I shop at JoAnn's for batting and other supplies. I look at JoAnn's first for material and try to only buy the better quality. Then I go to my LQS for the material I couldn't find at JoAnn's. I am not a Walmart shopper for sewing supplies or material even though we do have one nearby.

Irene Frohreich

I go for the quality of the fabric, friendlness of the people, and to support small business in America.

JanTx

ALL of the above - and yes, I'll shop at Joann's or Hobby Lobby, I buy lots of things online - if shipping is free and the bargain is too good to pass up. But at my LQS I walk in wiht my latest project which needs some matching something-or-other. They ooh and ahh and everyone in the store comes to look. We "show and tell" each other's projects. The workers KNOW their stock and can put their hands right on the exact fabric which will complete my work.

I may have to wait to have my fabric cut, but while I do I can admire the project of the lady getting the fabric cut. (I waited 20 minutes for Pellon to be cut at WM today. With no one to talk to and no pretties to admire.)

There's a 3.99 bargain shelf and a $4.99 one. They take their leftover pieces and turn them into 99 cent fat quarters. They have a loyalty card they punch each time I buy - I have $25 credit on one now.

Fun, friendly, knowledgable, encouraging ... sometimes I just need that fix.

tjradj

I go to the one LQS because I absolutely love her shop and she's a gem. She has the most amazing quilts on display too.
I go to another one a bit further away because it's a destination store. You go there just to go there. Even the dog greets you. The store is in an antique home and every nook and cranny has fabric and notions. It's an amazing experience and "Shirley" is an encyclopedia of quilting knowledge. We go with a group for a road trip and then go out for lunch :) which is always fun!
The third shop I do attend often is an hour's drive away but she has the cutest fabrics, I always find something new there.
My local fabric chain store does however get most of my fabric purchases just because of their prices. And their sales. I can count on a good sale every month - so that's when I stock up.
I've only started using online stores, the prices are good, but I'm always nervous about the quality of the fabric because I don't get to 'pet' it first.

3incollege

Why go to LQS, because of the quilty of fabics, MODA fabric are there, you can get a line of manufactures. The friends you make at classes, inspirations galore and shop hops. Walmart and Jo anns have gray fabrics. Why not support the LQS. You get what you pay for.
If you can't afford the prices, just buy less. We all have alot of stash.