Quilt Fabric Shopping
July 31, 2008 6:03PM | Filed Under Daily Life |
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When I moved to Casa da Praia fulltime in 2004, there were more than four dedicated patchwork stores in the area along with a warehouse for a thread mail order business and the usual larger chain stores. In that time, commensurate with my “retirement” income, I have reined in my fabric buying habit so I haven’t been the greatest customer. Obviously I am not alone as, one by one, those shops have closed.
Today I found out that another store, further afield, is closing down and there are great bargains to be grabbed. Did I jump into my car and make the hour or so drive to check it out? Well no, partly with the price of petrol, I did not. However, I have placed a fabric order online with Hancocks of Paducah. Not only is the exchange rate most favourable at present, but Hancocks is offering free shipping on all orders (International over $80.00 Domestic U.S. over $50.00) until August 1. Just enter code JULY08 in the Catalog Source Code field on the billing page.
Like I needed an excuse to go shopping. (At least I can exercise self control with on line shopping - fill my basket then empty it with out spending a dollar.
Comment by Amy — July 31, 2008 8:23 PM#
Yes Brenda,
It is sad that some patchwork stores close down as many provide impromptu lessons when you buy products and you cannot get this face to face advice online unless someone has a well constructed tutorial online.
We live in an isolated rural area and utilise internet shopping for threads etc. and the service is usually fast via mail, but fabric shopping is sometimes best done with the fingers touching the fabric. The best of both worlds is always hard to find isn’t it because without our support those patchwork shops can’t survive. Are the number of quilters decreasing also?
Comment by Ruth — August 1, 2008 10:17 AM#
Hi! Brenda,
Lucky you! I love Hancocks to deal with. Our only dedicated quilt shop in our nearest town (Burnie 22ks away) closed sometime ago, there is only our Sewing Machine shop left who sell some fabrics, but because I am disabled with Arthritis I can’t get in there.
I too am wondering are there less quilters or just the general rising costs of mortgages, petrol and food? People may be doing others things with their money, but it is still a shame places are closing. Chocolate Coated fabrics in Bairnsdale that I have dealt with has closed its shop front and is a dedicated online supplier now.
Wish I’d known about hancock’s offer sooner.
Comment by Judy — August 1, 2008 4:23 PM#
Hi Brenda
I’m from Toronto Canada and even though this is a big city we have lost several great quilt shops over the last few years. We still have lots of quilters as can be seen at the attendance at any of the quilt guilds that are in the area.
We have another challenge here for our quilt shops and that is there is a fabric distributor who somehow managed to get the monopoly in Canada for distribution of fabric from most of the major fabric manufacturers. Thus the shops have to purchase their fabric from him at a significant markup which then has to be passed on to the consumer.
So good quality quilt fabric sells for anywhere between $18 - $25 Canadian a metre (39″) here vs. the $8 - $10 American you see on the online stores like Hancock’s or eQuilter for a yard (36″). Given that at this time our dollars are about at par, it’s really hard to justify buying locally when you have to pay double especially for anyone who has to live on a budget but loves to quilt.
By the way thanks for the heads up on the Hancock’s free shipping. I managed to score big with a sale on some fabric from Westminister Fibers that I was looking that was only $5 a yard. It was my lucky day.
Comment by Vicki — August 1, 2008 10:43 PM#