Lorchen wrote: I'm afraid it will be here before the stitching is done.

This is a fascinating discussion. I usually purchase my fabrics over the Internet from Hancock's of Paducah or equilter and occassionally elsewhere when I can't find something specific. I prefer Hancock's. They cut them more carefully than equilter. But I usually order what I like from those sites (can't do the hand test, I know, but I've had a lot of success with this). They carry a number of satisfactory brands, but they usually run around $8 to $10 per yard. When I try to shop at my local shop, I seldom find what I want, and I have some super stores. I still manage to spend too much when I go there anyway. I also stock up when I go to a quilt show, but usually I buy hand dyes there. Since cotton will probably go up a lot soon, I am happy to have my storage bins and drawers and underbed containers and blanket boxes and drawer or two stuffed with great fabrics.

Of your life is like mine, Agnes, 2016 will be here before you know it.

Thanks Margo and Lorchen. The three flowers are the first 3 of 12, Flowers of the Month. Lily of the Valley is for May, Gladiola is for August, Violets are for February. The dog is photo generated of our family dog. Date required: 2016, grandson's high school graduation.

But I can have a favourite, right, Margo!

Could have something to do with one of my grandmothers always smelling of Lily of the Valleys.

Lorchen wrote:
I'm thinkin' they are ALL gorgeous!!

Agnes, the needlework with the Lily of the Valley's is lovely!

I have been very happy with the price for quality fabric and their service. It also arrives with a nice little sticker attached with yardage and fabric name printed on it. Nice if it is going into stash. I no longer buy for stash. I am desperately working at piecing up all the fabric I have so I can start from ground zero and whatever way my interest lies at that point. Here's some of the WIPs awaiting me. Machine stitching:

Hand piecing:

Cross stitch to be used as block center:
{!-- ia0 -->7 UFO Cross Stitch.jpg{!-- ia0 -->
I will be busy for a year or two before there is any real fabric shopping on my part. If my tastes don't change too much I will turn largely to hand piecing some smaller works or miniature quilts using primarily two fabrics per quilt.

I'm just back from looking at http://www.thousandsofbolts.com They look really good the prices seem to range from $4 - $6.95 (£2.66 - £4.36) per yard, which makes them a good price even from here in the UK (provided I don't go too mad ). Definately one to consider - Thanks for the reference.

Rosemary

We pay 15 to 25 dollars (Canadian) here in Canada for quilt store fabric. Eight to 10 dollars a yard sounds like a great sale! All about perspective I guess.

The only things I buy at JoAnn's are rulers and cutting mats. And bolts of fusible web - all when I can successfully play their convoluted coupon game. The fabric they peddle isn't worthy of my craft! And during this holiday season, those horrible heavy scented pine cones just stunk up the joint!! Phew!! :shock: :shock: :shock:

Grannyagnes, thanks for the information! I suspected the discounted Joanne's price was the REAL price. But, I do have to admit, I use my 40% and 50% off coupons there - on notions! Like rotary blades, sewing machine needles and replacement bulbs for my Ott lights. And, thanks for the pictures of your quilt! I have never made one that big, but can see where you can save a bundle on the massive amount needed to do the backing and the brown on front. Love the name - Thousands of bolts, and only one nut! Very clever. I'll be checking it out!

Dawn,
In beautiful Northwest Montana

As for the price at Joann's think of the price with their largest coupon, 40 or 50% off, as the REAL price. They are going to make their required mark up. If someone is desperate and can't wait for the coupon they then make more. Because they have their customers trained to think 40% of that price point is the price it should be. Advertising tactics are very interesting. With having been in retail and attended seminars i learned quickly that the advertising game is based on mind games. I could name other tactics that all shoppers have probably fallen prey to and didn't even realize it. Understanding how this all works works help if you are interested in psychology as that is what is at play.

We have Fabricland in Canada that works on membership cards and then percentage off sales. Mitchell's, about ten blocks further away works on everyday prices in a no-frill setting. I'll endure the longer bus ride to go to Mitchell's where for example the Warm and Natural is cheaper anytime than Fabriclands at 50% off when they decide to "promote" it. The difference in cost to each firm is very similar. It's how they bait the customers that is different.

The on line shop I use is Thousands of Bolts--only one nut. All fabrics for the back and the brown of the front are first quality from them. The prints were from a Seattle Bay, manufacture name escapes me now. The front pansy fabric snagged me at a LQS and then quilt quality from Fabricland. Those fabrics cost me considerably more than all the rest including freight and duty from Thousands of Bolts. The best quality of all was the Seattle Bay fabrics from T0fBolts.
{!-- ia0 -->Pansy Garden front 90x96 in.jpg{!-- ia0 -->

Grannyagnes, I am still confused, because what I am saying is a LOT of the fabric at Joanne's is in the same price range as the local quilt stores. THAT doesn't make sense to me. Why would I by an inferier fabric for the same price as the good stuff from my LQS, unless some of Joanne's fabric lines are now of the higher quality?

Also, can you share some of those internet companies that carry overruns at a discounted price?

Dawn
In beautiful Northwest Montana