Fabric shop question
 

I don't, but other do... in this economy quilting is a hobby and not a necessity. Lots of folks have to cut corners. Though to hire a long armer is not my idea of saving money.

I buy a lot of fabric at Joannes..I love when I can use a coupon for 40-50% off on it...Like anywhere you shop, you need to check the quality of what you are buying...I also buy fabric at Walmart..I.. have found a lot of the same fabrics in both stores as I see in the LQS...just make sure you are happy with it! If I had to buy my fabrics at the LQS, I would have to give up quilting..I live on a very fixed income..I recently was at my son's and saw my grandson dragging around a quilt I made years ago with $1 a yard fabric, and polyester batting..It still looked great...

so..I say buy what and where it makes you happy!

I buy most of my fabric at JoAnn's. It is a lot closer and I like the lower prices. The only fabric I have found to be a problem is some of the solid colors and the gingham checks. These both are very thin.

I do... I shop sales and use coupons, and I pick through the remnant bin. I won't pay their full asking price, at that point I would rather shop my lqs. I have 2 young babies and am ona budget, so have to shop wisely. Although I agree with the previous poster, that also means I can't even consider a la quilter. I would use as high quality fabric as possible if I were going to pay for quilting.

For me to go to JoAnn's, I have to make a 70 mile round trip. So....when I go, I have a preplanned list and use coupons. I get the coupons in emails, in regular mail, and on my smart phone, so I usually have quite a few. I never pay full price! I buy fusible fleece by the bolt and the coupons will make the final cost cheaper than WalMart. I am careful about quality, not everything I see will meet my expectations, but I certainly cannot afford LQS pricing. While I do shop there, they aren't my first choice because original pricing is too expensive, but if there is a certain shade I have to match, that is where I go.

I use Joann fabric a lot. LOL Like Buckeye Rose my closes Joann's is a long ways away, 120 miles, one way, so I only go once a month, on my guild night's. I know it is a long trip but it is the closest chain store that sells fabric, and the closest quilt guild for me. I too use lots of coupons and try to only buy with coupons or if it is on sale. I have never had a bad experance with them. I have picked up a couple of bleeders but I always pre wash so that is not a big problem, they only blead in the first wash. You do need to keep an eye on there fabric, I have seen some thin stuff but I just bypass it. I envy you members that have places like Hobby Lobby, Hancocks, ect. close to you. I do have 3 LQS within a 1 hr drive from me, one to the west, and two to the south. All great shops good selection but with my budget I just can not pay $12 plus per yard.

I used JoAnn fabrics for my first three quilts and I still use it for certain holidays like Haloween and July 4th. They have a nice selection and some of them are really good weight and quilt up great. You just have to watch for the thin stuff and weed that out.. Also they have lots of kids prints that are very nice for baby quilts. My friend just made a King sized quilt with all JoAnn, Hobby Lobby and WalMart fabrics and it was beautiful. All stars with white backround. Very affordable too.

I like and buy some Joanns fabrics -- I am just fussy about the feel of the fabric (nothing too thin or too stiff). I too buy only when on sale or with coupons. I have not found fabric at WalMart (I am hoping mine gets some nice stuff since I used to buy it there too) -- again I look for good feel. I also buy LQS fabric when I can afford it. I prewash all Joanns and Walmart fabric.