cashs_mom

We have tons of independently owned quilt stores here in Texas also. I don't think I've looked at fabric in a big box store in 20 years. We own our own business and I've developed an affinity for small businesses whether they are quilt shops, restaurants, dentists or any other supplier. I support the small businesses that, GASP, listen to what I want and will even special order for me.

BellaBoo

I rarely shop in a mom and pop store. Don't care for them at all. I grew up with only a mom and pop store and the customers only had a choice of what they wanted to stock. Ask for newer updated items and mom and pop had a choking fit. I'll take a big box store, the bigger the better.

Inez Ruth

A few years back, when JoAnn's stopped letting you use their 40% off coupon on sale items, a clerk told me that the original JoAnn had passed away and her sons took over and were all about the money, money, money. They had tried for years to get their mom to stop throwing money away, but she was all about taking care of the home sewer. Men just ruin everything!

Neesie

I don't mind supporting M & P stores, IF they make it worth my while. By that, I mean treat me with friendly respect. The last several times I went to a particular LQS, I don't think the lady even smiled at me. Maybe she wasn't feeling well or was just tired (both times) but the experience simply didn't make me feel happy to be there (even though I did buy 2 yards of fabric). I probably won't go back, unless I get desperate for a particular fabric.

nhweaver

I used to live and work in Bedford NH, wish I could get to BF's sale. They always had a great selection! But, connecting threads and hancocks of paducah carry nice fabric, and have great sales. I shop alot on line - closest fabric store doesn't carry a big variety, and then the others are 20-30 miles away. At 2-3 gals a trip, it gets to be expensive, especially as I overshop when I am near a bunch of stores. I hoard more than just fabric. (HE HE)

quilting nurse

I am looking for fabric (1997) linda brannock for moda ...it is muted steel blue with small crescent moon and stars ? Does anyone know where I can find this.I figured that the Quilting board would be the best place to get the help I need in finding this material.Thanks!!!!!

Neesie

Sorry I can't help you but someone else may have seen it. You'd have better luck getting responses, by starting a new thread with your request.

katclock

I am all for shopping local and do as much of it as I can...that said, when I shop local I expect to be greeted and waited on in a timely manner...you want to wait on your friends first, then I will go away and won't come back. Also if you expect me to pay substantially more money, it needs to be better quality than I can get at the mega chains. It really irks when a small business wants me to pay double for junk...just because they are a small business.

I think I'm still irked from several years ago when a local business, notorious for lousy service and poor quality, managed to get on a local news station and whined about how the "big box stores were putting them out of business".

Bneighbor

My husband owns his own business (almost 40 years, wow went by fast), he owns a truck/semi-tractor trailer shop. If I need a particular service, I check with him as to which of his customers I should call. He works on many "trade" customers. I have called his plumbers, window repair, electricians, etc. My thought has always been that these business support us and we should support them. Almost all of them have been wonderful, prices reasonable, service techs polite, work done timely. After the job was done, I would tell them that we repair their equipment, and most were surprised why I called them to do our work, happy to be used for that reason. One thought I was looking for the job for nothing (absolutely not) or that I was tricking them. I shop local and support local....but the big box stores are also "local". We do repair their equipment, so I do shop their too. If you get to know the employees personally, on a friendly level, you will get the service you are looking for. By the way, those employees at those big box stores are you neighbors. Their children go to school with your children. Pay property taxes, buy groceries, enjoy living in YOUR neighborhood.

Weezy Rider

We lost Ben Franklin years ago, Joanne used to be Cloth World, and our Hancock's was Northwest Fabric. We also had So-Fro and Woolco sold fabric, so did Michaels when it first opened.

I won't shop at Wally World. They weren't too good on animal care when they first opened and the fish suffered. So I've boycotted ever since.

I guess a lot of complaining brought the fabric back to Wally World. About 10 years ago they started shutting down fabric departments. This hurt a lot of people that were miles from another store. Looks like they have brought it back.

At one time, couldn't shop at any of the fabric and craft stores. Strong smells from the candles and pot-pourri used to make the kid miserable and give me a headache.

The one thing I really hate about all the stores, including independents is lack of choice. They all follow the same color schemes if not the actual fabric. And all the chain stores are fleece, fleece, fleece. I hate the stuff unless I'm making outerwear. It's hard to find good sweatshirt fleece and ribbing anymore. It's also bad enough with dye lots. Kids gave me a Gutermann case of sewing thread. The thread was all good the year it came out, but now there is enough difference in dye lots that the color is off. This year's burgundy might have more red or blue in it. You have some fabric you really liked and bought extra, and the next couple of years there is no color that really goes with it. I waited about 10 years for a certain shade of aqua and brown mix. I know they need to carry what sells, but if people want something else, don't complain if another section of the country has what you want and you shop online.

This site has listed a lot of good stores, and if I can get what I have in mind - whether it's a closeout or local preference, I'll start buying online. I "see" an item in certain colors and having to "settle" drives me crazy.