Kathi in PA

Hello everyone,

My husband and I decided to take a spur of the moment trip to Ohio this past weekend. He's a railfan and of course I quilt so we went to Fostoria Friday night and Saturday we got up and I googled local quilt shops near there and found The Door Mouse in Bettsville. So he took me there and he went to the Iron Triangle in Fostoria. What an awesome shop!!! The ladies were very helpful and very nice!!! Oh my gosh, the fabric was beautiful and lots of it. Wonderful selection of patterns!!! I spent 2 1/2 hours in there and got some items and fabric of course! What was really nice they put my purse in the purse corral and hung my coat on a chair so I would be comfortable looking at everything. Definitely a place I would visit again.... What trip wouldn't be complete without snow! We drove in it from nieces home in Howard to our home in PA!!!

feline fanatic

Sounds like it was a fun trip for you! I need a good (Fabric Acquisition Retail Therapy) at least a couple times a year.

quiltstringz

I keep telling my LQS that they need some place to put our purses when we come in! Sounds like you had a wonderful trip.

Nammie to 7

What a nice experience! Never thought about a purse corral but that is a good idea! I love going to new shops to see what is popular in another area. In April a friend and I are going on a shop hop to Denver. Can hardly wait!

tessagin

That is also a good security tactic for everyone. Sad to say there are a lot of quilters who like to pick up the pre-cuts and stuff them into their large bags. One quilt shop here has the smaller pre-cuts on a file you can look at. They have the large bolts on display (kind of hard to walk out the door with a bolt) but if you want a pre-cut of the same fabric the clerks pull it from the inventory, show it to you and take it to the front. Notions and rulers, tools are kept under glass display. After going through your satisfied purchase, you pay for it, go through a small gate that opens and are given your merchandise. Not as bad as it seems and who can blame the lqs. All machines are on lock down. You can try them out no problem. When machines are returned for whatever reason they check for missing parts. You don't get a refund unless all parts are included.

dmnorden

I'm from Ohio - the Door Mouse is about an hour drive for me. I LOVE that shop - the fabric selection is unbelievable! You're right - the staff is very friendly and helpful. Somehow they always seem to know if they have the piece you're looking for! I've even called them when I'm in need of a piece to finish a quilt (because I didn't buy quite enough), and they found it and sent it right out. Plan to spend hours there when you visit.

mighty

Sounds like a wonderful trip!!!!

sewbizgirl

Wow. I've never heard of such a thing. I can understand their reasoning, but have to say I would not be comfortable shopping in an environment where I was presumed to be a thief from the moment I walked in the door. Are you?

I like the purse corral idea, because it offers a level of convenience and security for the BUYER, without saying overtly, 'We expect you to steal something'. I like to see and touch in a fabric shop, not have everything locked away.

QuiltnNan

i have to say that i don't like the idea. i don't wear my glasses for most occasions, but want them near me if i need to see a close up. also, if i decide to take a picture of something, i want to be able to reach my phone... or if i need to write something down, i want to search my purse for paper and pencil.