*Note* Comments are now closed. Winners announced on 4/24/11 post.
Cal and Just One More Thing
Last week I received an interesting Anonymous comment.
Originally I was going to write up a post thanking my anonymous commenter {aka AC} for their comment.
It certainly opened a can of worms in my mind. I read flickr and twitter on the topic.
But first here's the comment:
"The quality of Joann's is just not the quality of Moda. The fabric designs are cute, but your local quilt shop has great fabrics by great designers too! Check out Denyse's fabrics at your LQS!! "
There are several thoughtful issues.
First of all, Why did Denyse Schmidt choose to release her designs with JoAnn's?
I'd say "to make a living".
IDK, I like the prints. I will buy them where ever they are sold!
{Do you see anyone getting up in arms that April Cornell (formerally/currently with Moda) and
Debbie Mumm are found at JoAnn's now? nope}
AC also suggested I look for Denyse Schmidt at my local quilt shop...
Hmm....
I traveled 72 miles one way on Friday to a local quilt shop (JEllen's House of Fabric),
which then begs the questions...
How local is local?
Shouldn't it be "within driving distance quilt shop" aka WDDQS?
Wouldn't it have been more cost efficient to buy online and pay shipping?
With gas being $3.88 a gallon here...
It cost me at least $23 to drive round trip to one of my WDDQS's !!
It was worth my time and money.
{Joyce, thanks for the lovely fabric and Kate Spain sneak peek...you rock!}
But honestly, 72 miles one way....I just can't do that every week.
Third AC, the quality of this fabric is near the same as Moda (sorry it just is).
My suspicion is that JoAnn's, having been bought by venture capitalists that own Whole Foods, is trying to gain a market share in the premuim quality fabrics, and keep with the overall concept of the companies that represent the venture capitalists. {whew that's complicated}
I could really go on and on and on.
Instead, I decided to share my Denyse Schmidt loot.
It occurred to me from reading the threads on flickr that there are many that don't have LJS's (local JoAnn store) or their JoAnn simply didn't get the fabric.
Would you like to win a fat 16th bundle of Denyse Schmidt's 21 new JoAnn fabrics?
A fat 16th is 9" X 11".
If you leave me a comment I will stop using all these acronyms like LQS, LJS, WDDQS, IDK or AC.
Promise.
Just leave me a comment....
What's your favorite website for quilt fabric or favorite "within driving distance quilt shop".
If you shop online, give me your fave website.
I'll randomly select 2 winners on April 24th.
321 comments:
«Oldest ‹Older 201 – 321 of 321Hi, I'd love to win dome DS fabric. I e-order almost all of my fabric because I have to use a walker and have pain when walking. I do miss fondling all of the fabric, though....sigh..
.8-) I buy from Etsy, and various other places. I tend to be a comparison shopper, even online, and look around to see who's cheapest including shipping. Right now Fabric Shack has their shipping 1/2 price, and they have some good bargains, so I buy what I can from them if they're cheapest.
I don't have a LQS. So, I scour thrift stores & the few odd estate sales for fabric. I also shopped for fabric at JoAnn's for the first time last year when I went to Florida with hubby for a convention. And I get to go back this summer. Yahoo!! Otherwise I purchase fabric online on ebay. I wish there was a fabric store closer than 2 hours away!
What a great post! Apparenty Denyse Schmidt is also releasing 10 prints to Australia only....I have been asked if I can do a swap when they come out here which is not for another month. They are coming to Spotlight (Joann's equivalent in Australia) which has the same reputation for lower quality fabric. I think they might be picking up their game to be more competitive.
I would love to win some of the DS fabric!
We don't have a LJS's and I usually travel miles and miles for my fabrics. Thing is many times I buy too little and then I need more - where to go???
Gina
http://gina-catswhiskers.blogspot.com/
I live in a country where there is no Joanns or any other national chain of fabric shops. I also live in a country where LQS are few and far between. My nearest is 30 miles away and this is in a country where petrol is $2 a LITRE. Online is my only option. I'd kill to live near a Joanns, especially one with Denise Schmit fabric...
I love a lot of the online shops, but www.cottonpatch.co.uk is my favourite. (P.S. if you check it out, try not to faint at the high price of fabric in this country - a charm pack is $16!! and this website is cheap!)
Well we don't have Joanns where I live so highly unlikely that I will get my hands on these fabrics. My local quilt shop is a 1/2 hour drive away but very expensive so I generally by online which is cheaper even with the shipping costs. I think it's great that Joann's is trying to get a better quality fabric and going with a well known designer.
I live in SOuth Africa and Quilt shops here are as rare as hens teeth. My local is about 20 min drive away and they are awesome ladies. Not a huge selection but usually there is something for every one there.
I do on the rare occasion order on line using Fabric.com and Fabricworm.com. I don't normally buy online from anyone as the cost of the postage gets expensive and there is no tracking numbers on US post - and SA post can be very unreliable and you often don't get your packages. this makes me very sad.
Cleo
cleo(at) techgear .co.za
i go to spotlight...lol...xxx but i am beginning to think online is the way to go soon...
Love, love, love Jellen's. Very local, can be there in about 7 minutes. Also love Quiltz in Phoenix, AZ. Online I adore Hawthorne Threads. Fabulous layouts, love that they show complete collections, also like the color matching they include. Reasonable shipping and great selection.
It's an hour's drive to our closest Joanne's so I never go there. I frequent our LQS which is 40 min away and where I take classes--Patchwork Plus. But my two favorite online shops are Burgandy Buttons (have gotten lots of good sales there) and Fat Quarter Shop (love how they package their fabric and the choices)!
My favorite LQS is about 40 miles away and with gas prices climbing, I just can't do it on a regular basis any longer, so I've been buying on-line. Hawthorne Threads, Crazy Quilt Girl Fabric Shop, Green Fairy, and Fat Quarter Shop are my favorites. My local JoAnn's didn't get in the entire line, only about half. Thanks for the chance to win!
I hate it when people leave comments under the vail of being anonymous! If you have something to say, say it as who you are! I think if you find fabric you like, buy it, end of story.
I am very lucky to have three good fabric stores within 20 miles and two sewing machine shops. Lots of quilters around here...I do shop at Joann's whenever I get to USA, which is often because I live right on the Can/US border.
There's a fabric store in my town with about one shelf of fabric, about 1/3 of it Noah's Arc prints... hahaha... but after that, the nearest shop is 70 miles. :/
My favorite shopping spot is JoAnn...since they have begun to upgrade their fabric and always have coupons it they give the most bang for the buck!
When I shop for fabric online, I usually go to quiltshops.com and do a search and then do price comparison before ordering. It's a great place to find fabric. I also sometimes order from Hancocks of Paducah although I used to visit the store when I lived closer.
Interesting post. I love my LQS, Lonestar Quiltworks. Very lucky to have them in my neighborhood!
Hum, JoAnns is close and is a new beautiful store. 2 quilt shops are not all that far away. Online I like fabricshack.com and some of Connecting Threads fabrics. I buy fabric based on what it is going into. (Kind of.) I use JoAnns often for backing. I tend to stay away from the calico wall as I am not as thrilled with that fabric. I also quit buying anything that feels stiff from them cause it usually remains stiff. I prefer to buy from my local quilt stores but sometimes I hit the online concept -- and save myself a little money. Love the fabs you have to share.
I have a LQS but don't like going in there much - it feels kinda spooky for some reason. I generally purchase destash fabric off of etsy from various sellers, buy kona solids from local Hobby Lobby, and shop fabric depot for kona as well, and Z&S fabrics remnants online. Can't 'feel' the fabric when shopping online, of course, but I have only been disappointed once.
My favorite website for quilt shop if "A Thread of Red." My favorite local quilt shop used to be "A Scarlet Thread." I say used to be because I had just moved. So, I am still looking for one locally and haven't found one yet. Hopefully will find one soon. Thanks for the chance; I love the fabric!
I have shopped only at my LQS before.. Joanns and Hobby Lobby. I figure I am the one laying under the quilt.. and if someone down the line lays under the quilt.. they will have NO idea where I bought the fabric.. if the fabric isn't up to their standards.. they don't have to use the quilt!! DH doesn't like for me to put our credit card numbers online.. he is very leary of theft.. so I can either buy a prepaid, or shop local..those are my choices.
My FAVORITE shop is fatquartershop.com. I have one local one and their prices are $2-3 more than anywhere else so I prefer not to go there.
I love those fabrics!! The colors are terrific and I have been to the JA's and felt those . YUMMY. yes please put my name in the drawing We all have a limit on our budgets for sewing and crafting. I think all fabric dealers have some inferior fabric. I look for price and quality. I do not expect my quilts to last forever or make it to a museum. I want them to be used and loved, not to be stored and saved for a special day. Everyday is special If you wake up that is a blessing and so use my quilts wear them out Love them. I am not making heirlooms just giving of my love for quilt making and the sewing together fabric and for their enjoyment. Thanks
Quilter000
Beautiful fabric! I love Denyse Schmidt!!! My local quilt shop is Uniquely Yours in Rineyville, KY, just about 25 minutes away and she has the most awesome selection of Moda, Free Spirit, Marcus Brothers - anything I'm looking for, Mary has. And, she does mark downs and I get these very prints for only $4 or $5 yard! I wish we had a Joann's though - I love their fabric selection, too.
Thanks for the chance to win!!!
gale
galew417@comcast.net
I shop at Joann'S !! I enjoy the store & the variety it offers
Thank you so much for giving this great fabric away. I wish some of these negative independently rich people would give some of us poorer people a break and let us get what we can at Joann's.
I love my JoAnn's store. Especially their 50% off coupons. They are so great for picking up new rulers, blades, etc :) I also love when their threads are on sale. I stock up!!!
I buy fabric at Joann, Hobby Lobby and any place I see something I like.
My favorite on line shop is Delta Patchwork. I buy what I like and think everyone else should do the same.
Loved your post! I drive about 30 miles each way to my favorite LQS and it's about 5 miles from the closest Joann's. So I go to both. It's true that Joann's quality isn't always the best, but that's why they have a range of prices so there is something for just about everyone. And lately they are offering more high quality fabrics. I also do too much shopping online and have found a bunch of great online shops. Couldn't even begin to pick one favorite.
I go to JoAnns alot to buy fabric. We have 2 local quilt shops that I visit a few times a year. Their prices are high for me ($15 a yard and up) but I also walk away without buying much simply because they do not have what I am looking for. I also buy from Connecting Threads online. If I need something specific like civil war fabrics I check out etsy to see what I might find.
How very interesting! I don't have a local quilt shop and even if I did I think the pricing would drive me away (Canadian prices are huge!). We do not have JoAnn stores in Canada as far as I know. My favorite on-line shops are hobbyhill and stitchesngiggles and also fabricdepot - all of these shops have great sales and some sell individual fat quarters which makes it easy to build a stash or make a coordinated project. Great question BTW! - Marlene
I've got a 45 minute drive, one way, to get to fabric at all. There are 2 LQS in the same city as my LJS. Do I purchase from them? On occasion but it's just a couple of fat quarter here and there and small cuts because frankly, I can't afford more. I can print out and use a coupon at Jo-ann's and the LQS's don't stock apparel fabrics. Most of my sewing is clothing.
Really this kind of snobbery is demeaning for all involved. I think it's great that people are sewing at all. That people can find the time, funds and where-with-all is awesome and I hope that it continues to grow and expand into this ever evolving inspirational story that we can All be woven into, regardless of where our fabric came from or if we wear guess jeans or eat out of the anthropolgy catalog.
In the end, is your progenitor going to go around saying, MY ancestor bought all of Their fabrics from a LQS and This is from fabric designer blah-blah and because MY ancestor used these things, I'm better than you. Nope, they LOVE those homemade things because you cared enough to spend your time making something Just For Them. Things fade and go away, feelings and experiences don't.
I think that the closest LQS is at least 30 minutes from my house. Add that to the fact that I don't normally get out of the house at all, much less getting out of the house without my three kinds (all 2 1/2 and under) so I do normally buy my fabric online. Thanks for the giveaway!
I have 2 LQSs about 10 miles away in different directions but we all know they can't carry everything. Recently I've ordered from 1 Choice for Quilting (2.95 shipping) and Sew Lux Fabrics. For greater variety either fabric.com or the Fat Quarter Shop.
Such a generous giveaway--thanks for the chance! I get a lot of fabrics at Joann's (which is super close), and just about 8 or 9 miles down the road is Gina's, my very-lucky-to-have local quilt shop that has many designer fabrics.
Although, I will say, I haven't seen this new line in either one of them!
We have a Hancock's and Joann's within driving distance for me, I shop at both of those :)
Thanks!
kimberlybreid at hotmail dot com
I think some Joanns fabric feels like cardboard, but I pretty much always use their premium brands like Heidi Grace and Stonehill for backing (when it's on clearance for like a $1 or 2 half off). I think of Joanns as Old Navy and my LQS as Banana Republic.
Thanks for the giveaway!
I buy fabric a walmart too!! Ahhhh LOL some people would cringe if I told them that, but sometimes the budget can't handle a $10 a yard fabric!! And if you choose right you can get some good ones for a good price. I also shop at Joannes a lot. My favorite website is Green Fairy Quilts.
i shop at Spool in Philly!
I'm a BIG DS fan from way back and was excited to hear out this new line - even if I was a bit out of touch and just found out about it this yesterday.
Fabric quality varies and there is good to be found in even "cheap lines". I buy fabric for my aprons (momomadeit.com), and to sell in our shop(thestockroom.etsy.com). The French General's Christmas line by Moda was printed on a poor quality grieg cloth. I was totally disappointed with it. So for me, it's a matter of touch and feel, and if I like it, I'm going to buy it.
so.. that's my rant about buying strickly from "quilt shops"...
A quick trip to my JoAnn found about 8 bolts still in plastic on their incoming racks.... so I'll be watching for more.
My favorite place to shop is my closet. I always seem to find something there that I forgot I got! :)
joan
I love Whittles on line. Their fabric is cheap...often $4.50 a yard. The fabric isn't always "the most current line" but I am not a gal that needs the latest and greatest. I am not a quilt snob. Everyone can sew with whatever they want whenever they want. Why do people feel the need to constantly be judging others....Let's just celebrating the process and let individuals determine the product.
I have always shopped at JoAnn Fabrics myself but last year I started reading all the quilting blogs. There I found a new world of fabrics and all these designers that make gorgeous fabrics so I've been buying more online now more than at JoAnn's. I find myself buying from www.fatquartershop.com more than any other so far.
I've visited local shops and haven't found one that I like yet for one reason or another. This year however, I was able to finally find one that I do like and the women there are fantastic. They will pull every bolt off the racks to help you match fabrics if you are unsure what looks best. And then when they cut your fabrics they print a little sticker out for every single fabric purchased as soon as it's cut. ON that sticker is the name of the fabric, their stock number and the amount I purchased so that if I need more I can call to see if they still have it in stock and they'll even pull that one and cut it so it's waiting for me too. How awesome is that? That store is called Acorn Quilts. This is their site although their site is not very good but it does give some stuff that was enough to make me go there and I'm very glad I did.
http://www.acornquiltsrockford.com/
I keep seeing so many talking about Denyse Schmidt's fabric and then pics just like yours of all that gorgeous fabric they bought already when they went to JoAnn's. I'm getting worried that by the time I can get down there it will be gone. ack.
I agree with everyone you said on this topic. It's true that the quality of the fabric at Joanns wasn't good years ago, but lately it's improved a great deal. Their sales are important to many quilters who try to build a stash on a small budget. If Joanns were closer to me, I admit I'd shop there more often for the sales. At least, my shopping would help keep the local employees in their job. We had a Joanns in my city and it closed-so those women lost their jobs.
I wholeheartedly support local businesses owned by individuals; however, we don't have a fabric store of any kind. My favorite quilt shop was (and is) Common Threads in CT, but unfortunately the owner is closing after 10 years in business. It's 25 miles from me--and yes, the gas adds up, as you mentioned.
I rarely buy fabric online, but when I have, I've always found excellent service and fabric.
Thanks very much for your giveaway and sharing your fabric. And thanks for writing about this topic.
We have wonderful LQSs along the coast, the closest being 30 min away, another 50 min away and a LJS 90 min away and I shop at all three. Sure I wish stores were closer but it's a beautiful drive!
I find that if you are careful about your selection, you can do very well in Joann's. There is one about 35 minutes away. The closest LQS is only 20 minutes away, but I do not like their selection or service. Other quilt shops are at least 35 minutes away, but most are closer to an hour.
I find myself buying online to get exactly what I want. I like to check out Missouri Star Quilts "Deal of the Day." I like that you can have anything else you order shipped for $5.00 if you buy the Deal of the Day. I also like the prices, service and feeling of community that is found at Green Fairy Quilts, 1 Choice 4 Quilting, and The Fat Quarter Shop. These 3 shops offer many giveaways and donations to online charity quilting challenges for worthy causes. 1 Choice 4 Quilting offers free shipping for orders of $50 or more.
We live in a rural area so time and gas to drive anywhere is a consideration. We sometimes visit our flavor of a LQS - very high prices, Wal-Mart (35 min drive) when we buy groceries, and JoAnn's when we travel to the big city (hour drive). I buy online if pricing is reasonable (incl shipping) or enter contests (LOL). From what we've uncovered, there is no DS at the nearest JoAnn's location. So, would love to win. Thanks for the opportunity!
OH Vickie, I wrote a post about my LQS vs my LJA *wink* and it went away, I'm too tired to write it again but to paraphrase, I usually buy from my LQS, very close to home, or occasionally online from Shabby Fabrics, but only if it is on sale). I am really bummed because my local Joann's doesn't carry DS new line and said they didn't order any. I love the prints and I can't get them unless I want to spend the $3.78 a gallon to drive a 90 mile round trip and as you pointed out,that sort of puts a damper on the fun. They didn't even carry their own brand fabric when they came out with those beautiful prints (were they called Legacy?) a year or so ago, and carry only small bits of Debbie Mumm. I don't know who does their ordering or how they get by with it but it has been like that since I started quilting 3 years ago. I wish they would carry the fabrics they advertise at my local Joann's *sigh*. Thanks so much for a chance to have some of DS's new prints. Hugs....
The closest store to me is Joann's so that is where I shop.
slrdowney at hotmail dot com
LQS=12 miles, WDDLQS=50, Joann's=120 miles. And I shop at all of them, looking for whatever I need/want. I don't buy online as I really love touching fabric and seeing the colors and values for myself. I don't buy in fabric lines but like to put fabrics together myself, shopping first in my stash and then filling in at the store.
Thanks for an awesome giveaway! My current favorite shop (we move frequently with the military) is: http://www.serendipityquiltshop.com/
Just found them on JoAnns website!
http://www.joann.com:80/joann/search/searchall.jsp?keyword=Ds%20quilt%20fabrics&catPath=All%20Products////Product%20Home////UserSearch1=Ds%20quilt%20fabrics&_requestid=93539
I do not have a local JoAnn's. I loved this fabric, though! I have a little quilt shop that is stuffed with fabric about 15 miles from my house. It is called Mama's Log House because it is in an actual log cabin! I love browsing there, but like most local shops, she doesn't carry everything! This is why I have branched out to online shops. I have browsed several, although I have yet to commit to a purchase because I can't make up my mind. There are alot of good ones on Etsy, though.
Hi Vickie I share allot of your view..basically my LQS is about 30 minutes away or such and I hae had a hancocks and hobby lobby closer to me than that for a long time. Now if I am going that way toward my LQS and I can afford to splurge a little bit I will go there but we just had a Joanne's open up recently in Chattanooga and I find there fabric lines to be just as nice as moda, or close to it and it is good for whatever I need at the time. So yes I do buy and Joannes and hancocks allot of the time because with the price of fabric going up also I have to conserve when i can. And thanks for the heads up about the fabric being at Joannes but it is not at the one in Chattanooga so I am bummed but appreciate you letting me know..
My favorite online fabric store is fabric.com. Their sales are sometimes amazingly low, and you only have to spend $35 to get free shipping.
As for brick and mortar, I am lucky enough to live within driving distance of the Marshall Dry Goods. None of their quilting fabric is over $4, and I've gotten Amy Butler, Joel Dewberry, and other designer fabrics there.
While I understand that the small scale shops need to turn a profit, I do think the standard, non-sale prices are little high when you can get 2 or 3 times as much fabric for the same price if you wait for sales or if you don't get pre-occupied with popular name brands. Comments like AC's just make the quilting community seem a little elitist, which I don't think it should be.
Thanks for the giveaway!
I'm in the 7th largest US city and am spoiled by having a few JoAnn stores, a few Hancock Fabrics, several Hobby Lobby stores, and just within the city limits, at least 5 LQS's that I've been to. My fave---hard call, but I'd say of THOSE stores, my favorite is Sew Special San Antonio. I think. They are all good in different ways! If I buy online, I like Fabric.com for the sales.
I definitely buy fabric at J's, and if I can find the same quality, then it's better for me there. Why? Because J's has coupons & I'm a stay-at-home-homeschool mom living on just my dh's income. I'd LIKE to be able to buy just from a LQS to support them, but you do what you have to do. When I sold "kitchenware" for a direct sales company, I would tell people to buy quality & that USUALLY meant the stuff I sold. However, IF they could find the same item for less with the same quality, I'd say go for it! Just my 2 cents.
I go to JoAnns for all basic supplies, my favorite LQS is a great place called Country Manor - she has a great selection. My favorite online shop is Green Fairy.
I think you said that very well. This strikes me as being similar to the "dumbing down of quilting" issue. In the end, does it matter? Some are lucky to have fully stocked LQS right outside their doors (like me in SLC), others' LQS is 72 miles away... We're all doing something we love, we ought to celebrate great fabric design, purchased from JoAnns, LQS, or a millend store.
I usually go to Sew Fun here in Atascadero. We don't have any of the chain stores here, but sometimes when I go south, I stop in.
I can't afford to be a "fabric snob" -- literally. I love fabric and will use it from any source. I do buy at JoAnne's (shame on me) and I frequent a wonderful thrift store that has fabric, fabric, and more fabric. Especially terrific if you are doing a scrap quilt.
No Joann's here in western NC, though we do have a Hancocks, and 2 LQS. I usually order from the Fat Quarter Shop. Would love to win some of that fabric.
I spend loads of time, $$, & coupons as joann's. I like the FatQuarter Shop and etsy as well.
I live in south of France and there is no quilt shop just close to me but an ugly fabric store...
So i order in american website like Fabricworm .
Lise
Wow what a generous giveaway! I think Anonymous comments should be outlawed! If you can't stand behind your own words what's the point! Sorry if that's too honest!
I really love shopping at Joann's in person but it takes me 35 minutes to get there and gas here is $4.13 (and that's the cheapest!) so I do love to shop online. Besides Etsy, The Fabric Shack, The Fat Quarter Shop and Ebay I shop at:
http://www.christaquilts.com/
http://www.fashionablefabrics.com/
Christa has great deals and fun freebies!
sorry, not a fabric snob here either. If I like the design and it's not really crappy fabric, I get it! I've had some pretty nice stuff from JoAnn's. And I'm sorry to your AC--but not all quilters can afford to buy EVERYTHING from a LQS--if there is even one around. I have two close to me and neither one carry Denyse Schmidt fabric--or any other fabric that's my taste. I wonder if your AC turns her nose down at people who buys their jeans at Kohl's and not Macy's?
Ok, off my bandwagon...I'm with you..if you like it, buy it. And I want some of it. My local JoAnn's doesn't carry DS either. :(
I'm very fortunate to have 3 quilt shops within 5 miles. They each have their own personality and stock so the variety available is good. For online shopping, Burgundy Buttons and Quilt Taffy are wonderful.
I do half at my Local shop Material girls or pine Needles in Salt Lake City and half online. Hawthorne Threads and fat quarter shop. Thanks for the giveaway!
I have a local quilt shop, but it is over 30 miles away, but so is my Joanns. I generally buy my fabric on line. I like to buy my fabrics for backing at Thousandsofbolts. I don't normally shop for fabric at Joanns because I leave the store with a bunch of extra stuff I really didn't need. I love Denyse Schmidt designs. I have found some great designer fabrics at Joanns in fat quarters with the selvages cut off.
I've sewed for over 50 years and unless I'm doing something I want to treasure rather than use. I don't have a lot of designer loyalty. I've seen lots of fabric stores close and then have to scramble to find the same fabrics at another store. I really enjoy what's available on line now, although my favorite thing to do is run fabric through my fingers. It's not the same feel on the computer screen. We got a JoAnn's in town this December. I feel so lucky. WalMart was my default location.
I am lucky... I have 6 Local Quilt Shops (read less than 15 minute drive from home or work) AND two JoAnn's within the same distance. I could walk to one of the LQS and to one of the JoAnn's.
I shop at all equally. Not intentionally, it just works out that way. They each have their strengths and their weaknesses.
I do not generally pay full price for fabric, I buy on sale, or I wait. Unless I find that PERFECT fabric for a WIP or a WIW, which rarely happens.
Great Give Away... I'd love to win!
Paul
www.OutnumberedQuilter.blogspot.com
My neighbor has a quilt shop in her basement. It's very dangerous. Thanks for the chance to win.
My LQS is owned by a women who has been rude to me several times in the past. All the Joann's store near me (3 in all) have the nicest staff...guess where I shop? Especially since most of my quilts are for charity.
I would love to win your collection.
Vickie,
I have 3 Joann stores, each about 35 miles away, so I only get there about once a month (and do like to use coupons :0) who doesn't.) My favorite local quilt shop is Unique Stitches Quilt Shop, it is only 5 miles driving distance. Thanks for sharing, I love to check out your site to see what you have been busy working on - to inspire me to get busy!
Thanks, Margie
I count myself lucky I have Joann's about 20 minutes away, and less than 10 minutes away is The Quilt Place in Rockledge Florida. I go there sometimes just for inspiration, and the atmosphere. I feel fortunate to have these places nearby, and visit as much as I can! Marianne
My closest quilt shop is 45 miles away , but it is very small. I love hawthornethreads.com. Great selection and a huge variety.
Every time I see your dotty dresden, it makes me smile!! I shop anywhere I can get quality fabric. I have even found some very nice pieces of fabric at a thrift store! Most of my stash has been purchased at local quilt shops, JoAnn, and even Walmart.
I live near the Dallas-Ft. Worth, Tex. metroplex and we have so many options for fabric. I guess my favorite quilt shop is Cabbage Rose. But I also shop at the local JoAnn's. I am like you, get the fabric wherever you can, closet driving distance. Thanks for the giveaway!
Cute fabric! I like to look at fabric online at Fat Quarter Shop and locally in Louisville I like to feel the fabric (& buy it too) at the Among Friends Quilt Shop.
I rarely have the opportunity to shop for fabric other than online. One of my favorite places is equilter.com. Their selection is huge!
I love JoAnn fabrics and shop there several times a month. It is about a 35 minute drive but I usually make a lunch date with my cousin so it's worth the trip. I don't recall seeing this fabric at our JoAnn's store :(
There is also a Quilt Shop in the mall near there and sometimes I will stop there, but honestly I can't justify paying so much more when JoAnn fabrics are just as good IMO!
My favorite shop is Hancock Fabrics. I stop in and pick up enough to complete my project.
That said, I'm coming to understand the difference in quality of fabrics. And while I can appreciate a really good cotton fabric, found at my LQS, which is closer than 72 miles, it's not as close as Hancock or enroute to anywhere I'm going.
Depending on the project, I'll make the extra effort to reach my LQS, but for my pocket book and my projects so far, Hancock is just fine.
miscstadra at hotmail dot com
We don't have JoAnns here at all in Germany. So I would be pleased to win ;)
I like to shop here:
www.fabricdepot.com and http://www.stitchesngiggles.com
Bye
Susanne
I will go whereever to chase down fabric. I like to buy "local," but local may not have what I need. Thus my fabric and notions may be found in yard sale, local quilt shop, Joann's, or my favorite online fabric shops. I buy based on what I need and getting a good deal, not where it is sold.
I love the accessibility of the DSQ fabric at Joann. Great design for the common (wo)man... or something like that. As for the topic of where I buy my stuff, I'm all over the place. My LQS is 1.5 miles from my house, although my favorite LQS is in my hometown in another state. I shop online at etsy, eBay, fabric.com, zandsfabrics.com, hawethornethreads.com, fatquartershop.com, or anywhere else I can get a good deal. I also get fabric from Joann and Hobby Lobby.
My favorite quilt shop is about an hour away, and yes, with gas prices what they are, once a month is all I visit.
Great blog post with very reasonable thinking!!
I enjoy our local fabric shop because I can touch and swoon over the fabric - Barrington Bargain Centre. I am just addicted to fabric and I feel that this may be contagious and that there is no cure. rpshandATnsDOTsympaticoDOTca
I know a lot of people turn their noses up at Joann's fabric, but their quality has improved quite a bit over the years. I judge a fabric by its feel, not by where I bought it. I thoroughly enjoy the experience of shopping at a quilt shop, but I have no problem getting fabric at Joann's.
Wow, whatt a collection of yummy fabrics! Would love to own them.
Deb S.
I really like Pink Chalk Fabrics, 1Choice4quilting and the fat quarter shop although I would prefer to use UK based shops as the shipping can get quite expensive! Don;t have a lqs but 'Treadles' is quite nice, not aa whole lot of 'designer' fabrics though :(
Caro~
I'm a proud JoAnn's shopper. When I shop online lately it's been through quiltshoppe.com.
I use to buy online my fave shop is Fabricshack.com lot of beautiful fabrics, great discounts on shipping and a wonderful customer service :) Have a look at it they have tons of cute fabrics
Thank you so much for this chance to win, I really like the new DS's collection
I really like Hawthorne Threads and Fabric Shoppe. I do have a LQS, but they don't really stock any designer fabrics other than Amy Butler. There is a more stocked one some 45-60 minutes away, but that is just too big of a trip to be my primary source of material.
One thing that bothers me about the whole attitude that you should never shop at Joann's is that not everyone can afford to shop elsewhere. Think how making comments like that to someone where that was the only thing they could afford would make them feel? What if even Joann's was mostly out of their price range and they bought from Wal-mart instead?
It's one thing to want to only by high quality - it's another thing to make someone else feel bad for where they shop. For most of us it's a hobby anyways, people should feel free to shop wherever they can get what makes them happy.
I am a loyal JoAnns customer. It is only a mile away from my house, and the women there know me well. They don't even ask for ID (if I pay with credit) anymore! When I see the quality of fabric our quilting ancestors used, and I see how long many of those quilts have lasted, I really do not get all caught up in the quality of fabric debate. I won't pay the high prices in LQSs when I can find something I like just as well with a 40% off coupon at my LJS!
I've heard from shop owners that Moda fabric has declined in quality in recent years. I bought some of the new J DS fabric - it felt soft and silky though a bit flimsey - like lawn. Thanks
Locally I like to hit up Joann's. It's familiar. I just moved to AZ and haven't had a chance to check out the local quilt shops yet. I like ebay for deals on fabrics...
i usually go straight to etsy! it's all very reasonably priced (compared to fabric in australia!) and there's a huge selection too.
Bek
dreamfctry.blogspot.com
I recently discovered fabricshack.com
for online shopping, a great range and shipping is very cheap. :)
I shop at JoAnn's but am very picky about what I purchase there. I did just relocate and discovered a LQS that is delightful. It is Busy Bee Quilt Shop in Calimesa, CA.
Ok second try first post would not post. Joann fabrics has both some good quality but you have to be careful as there is also some cheesecloth weave in there too. Its my pet peeve that the fabric section is the smallest section of the store.
I am fortunate to have alot of LQS here in Orlando, Cornerstone, Sewing Studio, The Cove, Fireside, Materialgirl, or we pop over to the beach in Ormond to Byrd's Nest our fav. When we are traveling though we always plan to hit Maryjo's outside Charlotte NC, we will be there in a couple of months on our way to a quilt retreat in OH. www.maryjos.com
I have to admit that I do a lot of shopping at fabric.com I know it's not so personal and not supporting the little guy but it is so reasonable and free shipping. I do have a few fave shops on etsy that I consistently order from, especially Whipstitch and Cotton Blossom Farms
Thanks,
Erin
emstone28@gmail.com
My favorite LQS is a $15+ round trip visit, but I still visit it frequently and also order online and buy at JoAnns. Yet I do feel their is frequently a difference in quality of fabric in a high quality quilt store vs JoAnns. So it just depends on what type of quilt I'm making. JoAnns definitely has its place in the quilting world and I'm glad they are there.
Still, I do recall a quilt that Eleanor of Quilt in a Day shared. She had ran out of fabric and bought a similar matching fabric at a discount store. Many years later you could see the difference in the fact that the original print looked great, but the similar print at the discount store had faded significantly. Ask Fabric Manufacturers and they'll admit that they frequently do the same print on different quality 100% cottons one to sell in the high quality quilt stores and the other gets routed to discount stores. My point is not to complain on the discount stores, but to increase awareness as if you are making an heirloom quilt the fabric may not be heirloom quality.
SewCalGal
www.sewcalgal.blogspot.com
When I lived in the US, I didn't have a Joann's nearby so never got to see for myself the quality of their fabric. I usually buy all my fabric online, but not always from the same place.
Thanks for sharing the fun :)
Interesting I didn't know that about Joann's! I buy other things there but haven't looked at and other fabric but haven't bought quilting fabric. I would love to win some fabric. My favorite quilt shop is Gathering Fabrics in Woodinville WA and favorite online shop is whoever has the fabric at a great price.
Laura T
My LQS is only 20mins drive but at $24m I couldn't afford to do much quilting if I only bought from them. That's about $26 USD at the moment I don't think many of you quilters in the US would pay that.
I like to buy online from The Fat Quarter shop and Hawthorne
I like the variety from Joann and I am on a limited budget so my LQS isn't always an option. I have found quality there. Thanks for your comments. I enjoy your blog.
My LJS is within easy driving distance (15 minutes) yay! I enjoy seeing new fabrics and, like you, will purchase fabrics I enjoy wherever they are available! :-)
No JoAnn's in Hawaii and we can't drive to another state ;-) . We have the Calico Cat in Honolulu, but my favorite on line shop is Marmalade (great fabric combos and free shipping on sales over $50). Would love to play with this new Denyse Schmidt fabric!!
I go to JoAnn's which is an hour away. My LQS is more expensive. With gas prices now it just may be cheaper to go to the LQS, which is the dysfunctional quilter. I just love that name!
HI:
I shop both on line at any that are offering a sale and JoAnn's alot. I see nothing wrong with JoAnn's fabric and can relate to your dismay at the comment. My local quilt shop is at least .75 to %1. more than anywhere else. So shop where you can and look for sales I say.
I use all sorts of fabric in my quilts. I can't always afford designer fabric. I have to buy most of mine from the US, so to make it worth my while post-wise I have to buy 9 yards to fill an envelope. Our "local" shop are pretty sad, mostly old lady floral or 1-2 years behind releases. For online shopping I've had the best service from Hawthorne Threads and Wish Upon a Quilt.
I tend to shop at a local chain fabric store, which is only 10 minutes away. The closest LQS is about a 15 minute drive, but the prices are double that of the chain store - which is the main reason why I'm not shopping there regularly.
I've ordered online from Fresh Squeezed Fabrics and from Twiddletails, both were great to do business with and I was able to get designer fabrics for less than retail here in Canada (even including exchange and shipping).
I understand the issue with quality of fabric. When I first got into quilting, my daughter picked out a quilt she liked. We bought the fabric at Joann's. I, in my infamy of quilting washed all the fabric. A few of them were very thin and didn't look of very good quality. We replaced them with quilt shop quality fabrics. The quilt turned out very well. I think it depends on the quality of the fabric, not just where you buy it, although the local mom and pop shops seem to have the best fabric
locally, i go to wish upon a quilt. online- fabric.com or hawthorne threads!
Hi! I've had questions about that too. I just figured that as long as you like the fabric and depending on what it's for. I'm very fortunate though. I love within 10 miles of 3 different LQS and a Joann's. I love them all and can spend hours upon days in each. :)
So not only do we have Quilt Police, but now we have fabric snobs, although I guess we alwats have. Fabric can be found anywhere, and we buy it because it speaks to us, not for where it is. Enjoy your fabric.
I'm blessed to have several quilt shops within a 20 mile radius. My favorite is about 20 miles, Sweet Home Quilt shop. I try to purchase locally, but sometimes the fabric that I want is not availabee locally. I love the sales at Fat Quarter Shop and also use Quiltshops.com to local the fabric I "Need!" Happy Easter !
I have 3 Joann's & 4 LQS within a 35 to 45 minute drive from me. Two LQS are in the same direction and they both have a great selection of fabircs. One Joann's is by itself and another is around the corner from one of the LQS but the Joann's are small so I don't go to them often. The biggest Joann's has the last LQS on the way and is the biggest out of all 3 and the one I go to the most. I've only been into that LQS once & it is small and doesn't have a big selection of stuff. I love the Fat Quarter Shop, Missouri Quilt Co. & Burgundy Buttons for my online shops because of the selection of new fabric & deals that they have.
I went into one of the Joann's and they had about 4 bolts of Denyse's fabric and they were so silky smooth. They weren't the ones I wanted so I didn't buy any.
Sorry for the long post! Thanks for the giveaway!
I'm very lucky to have several LQS to choose from. Of course, as you say, local is in the eye of te beholder. A few of them are about an hour drive away. There's a JoAnn's 10 minutes away. I'm picky about my fabric and frequently buy at JoAnn's and Walmart if it's good quality fabric. I've even been known to buy fabric at yard sales!
I'm still relatively new to this so I haven't shopped at many online stores yet... I am lucky enough to have a great LQS (www.greenwoodquiltery.com) about a fifteen minute walk away that carries a pretty good selection of designers!
I like the Fat quarter shop. It has a lot of choices no matter your cuppa tea (or coffee). Our Joanne's here (near Washington DC/ Baltimore area) has higher prices than our local quilt shops. And the quality is not as nice. it's weird that it's flipflopped.
nsue21702 at gmail dot com
Thanks for the chance to win the beautiful fabric. Live in Melbourne, Australia and most local quilt shops have closed, two within 5 minutes of me. Have started buying on line.
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