Topic: CheapO quilters (2/4) - The Quilt Show Forum

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TOPIC: CheapO quilters

22 Nov 2007 18:58 #10578

Lorchen OFFLINE Posts: 2639 Thank you received: 50	So, Lynn, where exactly is that wonderful shop? I live a lqs desert, also known as East Midlands. Lorchen
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22 Nov 2007 09:11 #10572

eileenkny OFFLINE Posts: 1958 Thank you received: 124	My daughter hates going to quilt shops with me. She says they're worse than libraries. I have to agree with her. Many times they are SO quiet and we feel like the employees are listening to every word we say. What's the harm in a little background music? How about having Ricky's cds playing and for sale? Eileen in NY
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sales pitch 21 Nov 2007 14:48 #10561

lmcfood
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I couldn't agree more, the harder the sales pitch, the less you wish to buy!!! My lqs is a dream, they have chairs (comfy ones!) coffee and tea and cookies, you help yourself. There is never any pressure to buy anything, and I often just go there for the social side, but saying that, how can anyone visit a quilt shop without buying anything, I know that I cant. So I have found that there welcoming attitude makes sure that the shop is alway full, and they are doing a roaring trade!!!!
Lynn in cold wet UK

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18 Nov 2007 22:18 #10508

Judymc
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Hi, Everybody!
I'm so glad I started quilting in the early 1980's! It seemed to be a much more caring, sharing time. I learned SO MUCH from the older ladies in my quilting group. We shared techniques that we already knew and even shared patterns. We also took classes through our newly-formed guild (Desert Quilters of Nevada). I'll always cherish those years. Quilting has become BIG BUSINESS, and where $$$ is involved, sometimes the good things get lost. But I DO understand annoyance with an unfriendly quilt shop--a quilt shop is MORE than just a store--I like a welcoming atmosphere, too. And I would get really ticked off if I was slowed down by a classmate borrowing an essential tool! I do understand a quilting teacher being annoyed at someone wanting information without taking the class--but I wouldn't hesitate to share, for instance, needle turn applique if I didn't teach a class on the subject.

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10 Nov 2007 01:47 #10274

cutup
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Posts: 101

Hey Y'all
I have kept up on reading this blog just to see how other people feel and this is my opinion, 100 years ago quilts were made from what people had old clothes other blankets flour sacks and they are still around if it would keep you warm it would work so on that note you get my drift. My grandma came from Sweden and grandpa from Norway they had 14 kids had a farm in Henning, Minnesota and Minot North Dakota no money in that house they made due. she made everything with love and that's what holds the quilt together...Jean

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Quilting Bee in My Bonnet 08 Nov 2007 09:24 #10235

CarrieHalem
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I agree 100% with Poobear1929, I have been quilting for many many years and have come to learn that there are teachers who have class to socialize instead of teach. There are guilds that are snooty and some that are friendly and welcoming to other quilters. It doesn't matter how much you spend or save on quilting. It is the act of creating beauty, warmth and art in your own way. We all have that right. I think we are all sisters worldwide as quilters and petty things need to be left behind.

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26 Sep 2007 13:42 #9159

KathySamson OFFLINE Posts: 435	gone
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18 Jul 2007 11:54 #6460

CindyBar
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Posts: 49

I went to an all day class last week and the teacher listed a certain ruler to buy extra for the class. Her book was included in the class fee. I was the only class member that bought the ruler other than the teacher! The class members seeing how important using the ruler would be kept taking mine 'just for a minute' right off my work space. I have a much stronger word then CheapO for quilters like this!

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11 Apr 2007 03:02 #3385

moogiequilter
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PoohBear1929 I'm so sorry to hear that you've had such a poor experience near your shop.

To those who were surprised at the thread, I was surprised at my first retreat when I sat next to a lady who spent more time borrowing my things than she did her own. I guess that experience has stuck with me more than I realized.

And it's not that I don't want to share, that's not it at all. I will share with anyone as my guild can attest, but sadly in any hobby, as in life, there are some people who are trying to get all they can with little in return.

I guess that means that quilting truly is a slice of life, the good and the bad, all wrapped up in a hobby that means so many different things to different people.

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11 Apr 2007 02:56 #3384

moogiequilter
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gbquilter wrote:

I have never taken a quilting class. My tools are pretty basic. A good pair of scissors I bought on sale about 10 yrs. ago, a beat up old iron, a chalko liner (my one extravagance), a plain ole 12" wooden rule and needle and thread. I don't generally go into quilt shops (I don't like the atmosphere). Finding and gathering up new fabric usually takes more time than money for me. I shop at garage sales and thrift shops and friends give me fabric when they clean out their sewing rooms -- I don't ask, bags just show up on my doorstep because people know I quilt. The only things I buy at the fabric store are batting, printer fabric, thread and sometimes backing fabric. I do like metallic thread but I buy it on sale. The beads I use are from my stash of 10 years ago when I taught beading. Most of my other embellishments are "found objects" or from the dollar store. Sure there are lots of new products out there but that doesn't mean I have to buy them. Compared to many quilters I spend very little money.

Now I am frugal. It has been said that I can pinch a penny till it squeals. But that isn't really the reason I work the way I do. I believe that working this way helps me be more creative. Going out and buying whatever I thought I needed wouldn't encourage me to stretch creatively.

Don't worry I'm not even tempted to borrow your rotary cutter, fancy rulers, thread, etc. I'm happy working the way I am.

How much money is spent on quilting should be a personal thing. What concerns me is that new quilters are getting the idea that certain products are absolutely necessary when they are really optional. Quilting can be a very expensive hobby, but it doesn't have to be.

I think it's fantastic that you have found a medium for your creativity! I'm also glad that you have found the joy in quilting! All the best - Martha

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10 Apr 2007 18:33 #3367

aggiebabe
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sewcrazeee wrote:

I love to see this type of discussion and the opposing viewpoints! Yes, sometimes the banter can get heated, but I prefer to call it passionate. I consider myself frugal because I don't rush out to buy every new gadget that comes along, but I DO buy the best that I can afford, so I know I'm not cheap.

As a quilt shop owner, I see the difference between cheap and frugal every day. If you bring your discount store fabric into class because that's what your budget allows, you're frugal. If you're using a rusty needle in your machine, you're being cheap. If you bought your machine at a discount store for $200 for budgetary reasons, you're frugal. If you bring your broken sewing machine to one of my classes, then ask to use the shops' computerized machine for the evening, you're cheap. And if you think that the $200 machine is going to behave like the $2,000 machine, you're simply mistaken. I could go on, but I think we all know the difference. I want everyone to love quilting as much as I do, so if I can't say something nice, I keep my mouth shut. I know I can't afford to do otherwise.

Food for thought - do you know your LQS owners' name? I always introduce myself to new customers, and greet as many of the returning customers as I can by name, and they love it! (I've had over 700 people sign up for my mailing list since I opened 6 months ago, so I have A LOT of names to remember - yippee!) On the other hand, not nearly as many have remembered mine, but I don't mind one bit - they will!

Ramona, I spent a week working at The Chester County Hospital in West Chester. I was DYING to find some time to get away to come visit your shop. I headed up there one evening, but got lost and it started raining and I gave up. I was so disappointed. I really, really, really wanted to come visit! Good luck to you!

In response to your question, I do know my local shop owners names. Three of them are very friendly. The fourth one is a "snob". Nobody really cares for her, her shop is WAY over crowded, BUT ... you can almost always guarantee that she will have what you're looking for. In a small town, that keeps a business alive.

Chelley

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Re: cheapo quilters 10 Apr 2007 18:30 #3366

aggiebabe
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snowplow3840 wrote:

Having been in some discussions here that got heated, I will remind all what Ricky reminded me. Let us all agree that we can disagree without being disagreeable. Quilters, be they young or old in years , traditional or artsy in style, rich or poor, frugal or extravagant, have one basic trait in common: We all strive to make something beautiful which will be appreciated by someone-the person who made it the recipient of it the person who inherits etc-and to that end we are all the same.
I am an extravagant quilter - I buy the fabric I want on sale if possible but if I want it, I buy it. (well maybe not if its a really espensive item like a long arm) But I worked long and hard to bring us out of poverty and now I can splurge when I cose. But remembering those poverty days, I do not find fault with my friend who struggles. Let's try to understand that we each must do what we think is best for us. Cheating, stealing I have no time for But beyond that you must follow your own conscious and end the end we wil all be judge on the same criteria. Ann

Very well put, Ann!

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10 Apr 2007 17:29 #3363

sewcrazeee
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Posts: 14

I love to see this type of discussion and the opposing viewpoints! Yes, sometimes the banter can get heated, but I prefer to call it passionate. I consider myself frugal because I don't rush out to buy every new gadget that comes along, but I DO buy the best that I can afford, so I know I'm not cheap.

As a quilt shop owner, I see the difference between cheap and frugal every day. If you bring your discount store fabric into class because that's what your budget allows, you're frugal. If you're using a rusty needle in your machine, you're being cheap. If you bought your machine at a discount store for $200 for budgetary reasons, you're frugal. If you bring your broken sewing machine to one of my classes, then ask to use the shops' computerized machine for the evening, you're cheap. And if you think that the $200 machine is going to behave like the $2,000 machine, you're simply mistaken. I could go on, but I think we all know the difference. I want everyone to love quilting as much as I do, so if I can't say something nice, I keep my mouth shut. I know I can't afford to do otherwise.

Food for thought - do you know your LQS owners' name? I always introduce myself to new customers, and greet as many of the returning customers as I can by name, and they love it! (I've had over 700 people sign up for my mailing list since I opened 6 months ago, so I have A LOT of names to remember - yippee!) On the other hand, not nearly as many have remembered mine, but I don't mind one bit - they will!

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07 Apr 2007 18:47 #3248

OneByOne
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Posts: 7

Please reread the original post. I said:

I'm not referring to quilters on a tight budget, there is a big difference. Quilters on a tight budget know value.

I am referring to CheapO quilters as the ones that can but will not spend the money for quality supplies/classes/books but expects the best for little of nothing. We all know these type of quilters and being around one too many recently has had me reaching my limit with being overly nice to them.

Last Edit: by OneByOne.

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