| Author |
Stitching & Crafting Room:  In Store or On-line?  |
|
|
katmom
True Blue Farmgirl
17023 Posts
Grace
WACAL Gal
WashCalif.
USA
17023 Posts |
 Posted - Mar 28 2017 : 10:08:02 AM
|
So.... where do you buy most/all of your fabric and crafting supplies?
I am a 'touchy-feely' kinda shoper.
I like to look at, touch the fabrics and trims....it helps me be more creative ... plus I can take the fabric over to another for matching up...
But our little quilt store up here in the mountains is limited...
I can drive down to the city, about 25min depending on traffic and weather...to go to the nearest fabric store...
I do luv the 2 fabric on-line shops... but then there is the added cost of shipping and if I recall you must buy min 1/2 yard increments ... as well as the wait time for deliver....
and the biggest disadvantage is I cant walk around with the bolt of fabric and hold it next to what might or might not be a complimentary fabric ... nor be able to tell if the fabric weight/density is compatible.
I have purchased from both on-line companies and have been satisfied... but there is just something about touching and seeing the fabric...to fall in love with it as opposed to looking at a little 1-2" photo of it...
So what is your favorite way to shop for fabric?
>^..^<
Happiness is being a katmom and Glamping Diva!
www.katmom4.blogspot.com & http://graciesvictorianrose.blogspot.com
|
|
|
janamarieje
True Blue Farmgirl
1022 Posts
Jana
Southern California
USA
1022 Posts |
Posted - Mar 28 2017 : 10:43:30 AM
|
I agree with you Grace, I am a touchy feel kind of gal too, but most of the good fabric shops in the area are gone. Leaving two small shops left in the area with not much of a selection. So I have been shopping online the past few years and have had good luck with the following:
http://www.fabric.com
http://www.hawthornethreads.com/
https://www.fabricdepot.com/
http://www.joann.com/
https://www.etsy.com/
Pretty much in that order and always looking for sales, online coupons or discount codes and shopping the minimum purchase amount (usually $50) to get the free shipping.
I have gotten pretty good reading the descriptions to figure out the weight of the fabric (cottons and cotton knits, which I use most), but it is still a little tricky with the legging type of fabric (my daughters are into leggings), as I think you want 8-10% lycra.
I don't think I have ever purchased less then a yard of fabric, as I am always afraid of making a mistake and needing more. Plus I could always use the extra for another project and I recently saw where you can cup up your scraps and use them for stuffing/batting.
Jana
#7110
http://www.emhardt.com
Gardening is cheaper than therapy and you get tomatoes. ~Author Unknown
All I really need is love, but a little chocolate now and then doesn't hurt! ~Charles Schulz
|
 |
|
|
buzzn bee
True Blue Farmgirl
1061 Posts
Deborah
Muncie
Indiana
USA
1061 Posts |
Posted - Mar 28 2017 : 10:46:14 AM
|
I have to see, touch, feel, and use my imagination to think what I might like to create from the fabric.
I could spend all day in a fabric shop. Of course I would have to have my coffee and donuts with me. Hey! A girl needs nourishment when using her brain cells. LOL! |
|
|
|
YellowRose
True Blue Farmgirl
6797 Posts
Sara
Paris
TX
USA
6797 Posts |
Posted - Mar 28 2017 : 10:55:25 AM
|
I like to shop both in store and on-line. I like to feel the fabric too, but I also like the convenience of on-line. When I think of the cost of shipping I figure in the price I put on saving my energy, time, and peach of mind. It works out to be a wash. I like the on-line stores that have a ruler at the bottom of the swatch of fabric so I can see how large/small the pattern is.
Sara~~~ FarmGirl Sister #6034 8/25/14
FarmGirl of the Month Sept 2015.
Lord put your arm around my shoulders and your hand over my mouth.
|
|
|
|
MaryJanesNiece
True Blue Farmgirl
6685 Posts
Krista
Utah
USA
6685 Posts |
Posted - Mar 28 2017 : 12:27:32 PM
|
I prefer to shop in the store. The colors always seem to be wrong or not what I'm looking for on-line. It also makes it easier when I'm trying to match. The only downfall is that on-line always has more to choose from then stores do. I also hate having to wait on shipping because I want to start my projects right away!
Krista |
|
|
|
quiltee
True Blue Farmgirl
7446 Posts
Linda
Terrell
TX
USA
7446 Posts |
Posted - Mar 28 2017 : 1:39:07 PM
|
I am definitely a touchy-feely person for fabric and craft supplies. Amazing the differences in quality and you can't tell this on line.
Farmgirl hugs,
Farmgirl #1919
Farm Girl of the Month August 2015
Linda O
Lone Oak, TX
"Women are Angels, and when someone breaks our wings, we simply continue to fly . . . on a broomstick - we're flexible, like that."
|
|
|
|
churunga
True Blue Farmgirl
3919 Posts
Marie
Minneapolis
MN
USA
3919 Posts |
Posted - Mar 28 2017 : 1:47:21 PM
|
I do a combination of online and in store shopping. If the item is tools, I definitely buy online. The nearest JoAnn's Fabric is 20 minutes away by car and 1 hour away by bus. All of the large fabric stores in the city of Minneapolis closed down about 20 years ago because of the large amount of theft. Many times a person can order a sample for little or no money from an online retailer.
I agree with the list of web retailers Jana has. A big consideration for me is being familiar with the company that is selling online. I believe that to be confident about fabric selections, one must know a great deal about the content, feel and drape of the fabric. Mistakes will be made and I view these as learning experiences. I am very disappointed by the selection in the stores and the number of stores I can get to without a car.
Marie, Sister #5142
Farmgirl of the Month May 2014
Try everything once and the fun things twice. |
|
|
|
katmom
True Blue Farmgirl
17023 Posts
Grace
WACAL Gal
WashCalif.
USA
17023 Posts |
Posted - Mar 28 2017 : 2:12:48 PM
|
Oh good... so it's not just me....
I have had good experience with both fabric.com and with quilters.com
Some times when making a project I will only need a 1/2 yd of a particular fabric as an accent piece ... and the accent pc won't be needed for anything else.... that is when being in an actuall store works better.
I have to agree with Sara.... sometimes if you factor in time, gas, etc... it makes and saves $$ to shop on-line.
But I sew luv walking through the isles of fabric... like Deborah...with a cup of java and a donut to keep up my energy! Lol!
>^..^<
Happiness is being a katmom and Glamping Diva!
www.katmom4.blogspot.com & http://graciesvictorianrose.blogspot.com
|
Edited by - katmom on Mar 28 2017 2:15:06 PM |
|
|
|
janamarieje
True Blue Farmgirl
1022 Posts
Jana
Southern California
USA
1022 Posts |
Posted - Mar 28 2017 : 3:21:13 PM
|
How long ago did you have problems with fabric.com. About a year ago I was having a problem with items sitting in limbo never to be shipped, so after three times I stopped using them. I started back a few months ago and their service improved. I don't know what was going on or what they did to solve the problem, I just know it is many time better. I have never used quilters.com so I can't speak for them.
I was sorry to see the local fabric stores go, but I thought it was just my area and due to high rents and low DIY's here in town. As for seeing the true colors online (mainly with solids) I finally got a "Moda Bella Solid Color Chart". Yes it did cost money but well worth it to get the correct color dye and tone just right.
Jana
#7110
http://www.emhardt.com
Gardening is cheaper than therapy and you get tomatoes. ~Author Unknown
All I really need is love, but a little chocolate now and then doesn't hurt! ~Charles Schulz
|
|
|
|
ceejay48
Farmgirl Legend/Schoolmarm/Sharpshooter
13564 Posts
CeeJay (CJ)
Dolores
Colorado
USA
13564 Posts |
Posted - Mar 28 2017 : 3:58:40 PM
|
I like to look at, touch and feel too but that's not always possible. We only have Walmart which is very limited. I've had great success with fabric.com, JoAnns online, and a couple others that I can't remember the name of (because I haven't been sewing much or ordering online for quite some time)
I'll try to get the names of those, because they are good ones!
And, Debbie and Gracie . . . gotta have my coffee too! Not a donut eater but a granola bar or yummy muffin works for me!
CJ
..from the barefoot farmgirl in SW Colorado...sister chick #665.
2010 Farmgirl Sister of the Year
Mother Hen: FARMGIRLS SOUTHWEST HENHOUSE
my aprons - http://www.facebook.com/FarmFreshAprons
living life - www.snippetscja.blogspot.com
from my heart - www.fromacelticheart.blogspot.com
from my hubby - www.aspenforge.blogspot.com |
Edited by - ceejay48 on Mar 28 2017 4:30:37 PM |
|
|
|
firecatinc
True Blue Farmgirl
1252 Posts
Lenora
Fulks Run
VA
USA
1252 Posts |
Posted - Mar 28 2017 : 5:49:17 PM
|
If I can find it local, I shop local. If no one carries it, I go online.
Nora
Farmgirl Sister #7131
Farmgirl of the Month, January 2017
http://firecatinc.wordpress.com |
|
|
|
katmom
True Blue Farmgirl
17023 Posts
Grace
WACAL Gal
WashCalif.
USA
17023 Posts |
Posted - Mar 28 2017 : 7:03:03 PM
|
I like the idea of shopping local, unfortunately up here the economy is 'tourist driven '... so everything from gas to groceries is higher...
The economy is based on the tourists so the majority of the locals head down the mountain for shopping.
Hubby and I make a 'date ' and we head down and hit all our favs...
from Joanns and Hobby Lobby to the 'man stores ' (lowes & sporting goods) and then Costco, Target, Kohls, Walmart, Trader Joes and World Market... our 'dates ' include a late lunch or early dinner... then it's back up the mountain with a full tummy and a car load of T.P., crafting supplies, fishing lures..well you get the picture. Lol!
On the plus side hubby hits the sporting goods store while I am in Joanns... it's a win-win...and I can touch all the fabric I want! Lolol!
>^..^<
Happiness is being a katmom and Glamping Diva!
www.katmom4.blogspot.com & http://graciesvictorianrose.blogspot.com
|
|
|
|
katmom
True Blue Farmgirl
17023 Posts
Grace
WACAL Gal
WashCalif.
USA
17023 Posts |
Posted - Mar 28 2017 : 7:05:59 PM
|
Jana, I miss spoke... I have had good experience with fabric.com as well as equilters.com.... I just hate waiting a week to get my order.
>^..^<
Happiness is being a katmom and Glamping Diva!
www.katmom4.blogspot.com & http://graciesvictorianrose.blogspot.com
|
Edited by - katmom on Mar 29 2017 08:32:33 AM |
|
|
|
janamarieje
True Blue Farmgirl
1022 Posts
Jana
Southern California
USA
1022 Posts |
Posted - Mar 28 2017 : 7:46:33 PM
|
No problem and like I said I currently do not have a problem with Fabric.com but have had some orders that didn't process for weeks until I contacted them and they pushed the orders through. That hasn't happened the last six months that I have been purchasing from them.
Jana
#7110
http://www.emhardt.com
Gardening is cheaper than therapy and you get tomatoes. ~Author Unknown
All I really need is love, but a little chocolate now and then doesn't hurt! ~Charles Schulz
|
|
|
|
gramadinah
True Blue Farmgirl
3557 Posts
Diana
Orofino
ID
USA
3557 Posts |
Posted - Mar 29 2017 : 06:45:02 AM
|
I visit many quilt shops if I find some thing I really like I get the name off the bolt and start shopping on line. I really like it when stores have kits made up for the quilts.
Diana
Farmgirl Sister #273 |
|
|
|
katmom
True Blue Farmgirl
17023 Posts
Grace
WACAL Gal
WashCalif.
USA
17023 Posts |
Posted - Mar 29 2017 : 08:36:58 AM
|
Oh Diana... me too!
Buying the pre-assembled kits (in my case, the small ones) works best...
Great idea to have a lil note book to write down the info off the bolt... and do price comparison shopping.
Especially when one needs a large amount of yardage.
>^..^<
Happiness is being a katmom and Glamping Diva!
www.katmom4.blogspot.com & http://graciesvictorianrose.blogspot.com
|
Edited by - katmom on Mar 29 2017 08:37:47 AM |
|
|
|
janamarieje
True Blue Farmgirl
1022 Posts
Jana
Southern California
USA
1022 Posts |
Posted - Mar 29 2017 : 08:45:42 AM
|
it is funny how writing down the bolt information came up... I use my cell phone to take a picture of ISBN labels on books I see in shops that I want to buy but don't want to pay full price. Many times I can find it used and a lot cheaper on Amazon.
Jana
#7110
http://www.emhardt.com
Gardening is cheaper than therapy and you get tomatoes. ~Author Unknown
All I really need is love, but a little chocolate now and then doesn't hurt! ~Charles Schulz
|
|
|
|
quiltee
True Blue Farmgirl
7446 Posts
Linda
Terrell
TX
USA
7446 Posts |
Posted - Mar 29 2017 : 10:20:20 AM
|
I've gotten quite a bit of fabric from fabric.com, and so far no problems. I have also bought kits from online stores when I can find it cheaper. I got 2 Minion quilt kits for my grandsons from a FB shop that sold them to me at half the price that other quilt shops wanted. And they even switchd out 2 fabrics in one of the kits for me so they wouldn't be identical. They arrived as promised and I was completely satisfied.
Farmgirl hugs,
Farmgirl #1919
Farm Girl of the Month August 2015
Linda O
Lone Oak, TX
"Women are Angels, and when someone breaks our wings, we simply continue to fly . . . on a broomstick - we're flexible, like that."
|
|
|
|
janamarieje
True Blue Farmgirl
1022 Posts
Jana
Southern California
USA
1022 Posts |
Posted - Mar 29 2017 : 10:57:19 AM
|
Thank you Linda for the information on Facebook shopping. I was curious how it worked and if anyone had made any purchases from them.
Jana
#7110
http://www.emhardt.com
Gardening is cheaper than therapy and you get tomatoes. ~Author Unknown
All I really need is love, but a little chocolate now and then doesn't hurt! ~Charles Schulz
|
|
|
|
katmom
True Blue Farmgirl
17023 Posts
Grace
WACAL Gal
WashCalif.
USA
17023 Posts |
Posted - Mar 29 2017 : 3:25:07 PM
|
I have bought vtg. Bark cloth on ebay for some deco pillows I made for one of my trailers (years ago)... easy peasy and I pretty much was pleased with the ease of purchasing thru ebay...
>^..^<
Happiness is being a katmom and Glamping Diva!
www.katmom4.blogspot.com & http://graciesvictorianrose.blogspot.com
|
|
|
|
ceridwen
True Blue Farmgirl
899 Posts
Carole
New York
USA
899 Posts |
Posted - Mar 31 2017 : 12:12:07 PM
|
I like to support small business (and I pay cash in order for the small business to avoid credit card fees). They are a dying breed. I enjoy looking at the product before I make a purchase. Yea, I love fondling fabric! lol
Sadly, many business are being used as a show room. People go to the store to check out the product and purchase it online.
Many small towns are starting to look like a ghost town. That's the case in my area. So many business are closing .... they just cannot compete with online prices.
It takes money to create an environment that is inviting, that inspires you to create. It cost money and time for a business to train people to tell you about a product and .... for a quilt shop to create a sample. Most shops hire local quilters .... thus keeping the money in the community.
I will only use online if I cannot find it in my area. And, I support, as much as possible, the smaller on-line quilt shops, the mom and pop ones. I do have favourites.
I would much rather support small local business than order from online discounters. That's just me.
Carole
Farmgirl Sister 3610 - Nov 7/2011
http://www.carolesquiltingetc.com
http://www.fibrejunction.com |
Edited by - ceridwen on Mar 31 2017 12:45:31 PM |
|
|
|
katmom
True Blue Farmgirl
17023 Posts
Grace
WACAL Gal
WashCalif.
USA
17023 Posts |
Posted - Mar 31 2017 : 4:45:05 PM
|
Carole....
About 10 +/- years ago..... MaryJane hosted a quilt run from Rockford, WA., down thru Oakdale and other small farming communities.... down to Idaho to her old Mill.... I think ee stopped at 6 or 7 quilt shps along the way... these were the small 'mon & pop ' type shops that serviced the little farm communities... some were in old farm homes... eell you get the idea.
By the time I left Washington to come back to Calif., to take care of mom and my mom-in-law.... most of those lil shops had closed up.
Even the lil corner restaurants had closed.... sadly these communities thrived of farming but the newer genrration didn't want to be farmers and moved on leaving grandparents and parents to fade off into the sunset. In these communities, sadly it wasn't from lack of support but rather, the next generation didn't want a farmer's life. So sad..
I agree with you about supporting our local shops... but the sad conundrum is....for people on limited income, they have to decide what is the best use of their monies. That is why the big box stores are so successful .... and then the cycle continues ... as more people find they have a big variety of choice and at a lower cost...
I think it is a no win situation.... but as long as I can... I still love to shop in the smaller shops, I just have to be more focused on my spending.
But sometimes I have to go on-line to fine specific things...it just makes common scenes to not put miles on my tires and drive 30 miles down and up the mountain at $2.99 a gallon... but I dooooo love touching fabric and seeing the plathera of ideas hanging on the walls.....
I will say one thing I do like about our little Quilt shop "the Bear Paw "... they run classes all the time and it is a great venue for the ladies up here.
Can't do that at the big box store or on-line.
>^..^<
Happiness is being a katmom and Glamping Diva!
www.katmom4.blogspot.com & http://graciesvictorianrose.blogspot.com
|
|
|
|
katmom
True Blue Farmgirl
17023 Posts
Grace
WACAL Gal
WashCalif.
USA
17023 Posts |
|
| |
Stitching & Crafting Room: In Store or On-line? |
|
In Store or On-line?
