Comments on: Conversation continued…

By: LS

LS — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 20:46:48 +0000

Hello, I too was at the Long Beach International Quilt show and felt that the modern quilters were not being represented.

I also live in LA I find that there are a couple of stores that you can find great modern quilting fabric by all of the modern “name brand” fabric companies. I shop Michael Levine’s in downtown LA but, I ABSOLUTELY love M&L Fabric in Anaheim. It is a little drive but, well worth it (I make it at least every other week)! One side of the store has the full priced fabrics but, the other side of the store has a huge discount section at $3 and $4 a yard. Some of them the name brand fabrics – maybe from last season – but, still beautiful. I too would like to be able to connect with other modern quilters in person. I LOVE to connect online but, I was just thinking that maybe we should even start some “Modern” Quilt Guilds. . . just an idea but, it would be a start. There’s nothing like meeting in person and creating in person!

By: rhea

rhea — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 01:59:49 +0000

I think one thing people do not realize about pricing at an online store vs. pricing in a brick and mortar is that brick and mortar stores have to have higher prices because they have much more overhead. Fabric is marked up and from that mark up they have to pay for rent, heat, electricity, insurance… paper towels! All kinds of things.

Most online stores are run out of someone’s home and yes, the online store owners are paying those expenses, too, but retail shop owners are paying for their homes AND their businesses from their profits. Online stores may not realize what they are doing, but their pricing does undercut and hurt the brick and mortar stores… ESPECIALLY the ones that already carry the modern designer fabrics.

And also don’t forget, when you have a question about how to do a binding or how to make a particular block, you aren’t turning to an online store and you certainly aren’t turning to a Jo-Ann’s: you are turning to an independent retail store for their know-how. Know how that they most often-times give away for free.

The best way to get what you want from a brick and mortar store is to be a part of their community. Ask and you shall receive!

By: Alexis Mitchell

Alexis Mitchell — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 05:44:25 +0000

I can’t wait to see the big hexagons finished!

On the fabric shopping – there are three quilt stores (which I know of) in Singapore – they all stock fairly traditional stuff, and there’s Spotlight which is ok, but not the best quality – so my only option is to buy online. I wish I could see and touch all the lovely designer fabrics out there – but alas I cannot : ( Sob…….

By: jacquie

jacquie — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 01:56:19 +0000

guilty as charged on the online shopping thing…i think there’s a feeling from modern quilters that guilds are not for them…it depends on the guild of course, but i think on a whole we shy away. we need to join, take leadership roles and bring in the programs and workshops that relate to us. you’re right alissa…if we don’t participate, we get what we get.

By: Abby Mann

Abby Mann — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 16:34:58 +0000

I’ve enjoyed your discussion and even ventured out to my local shops yesterday…and spent money I even had a convo with one of the owners about passing on quilting to my generation. It was a good experience! Here’s to a possible visit to a local quilt guild…yikes!

By: jaybird

jaybird — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 04:09:07 +0000

well put… you’d love spool.. its a shop here in philly that has lots of fabric in your style… and go check out M&L.. yes they are big and not so friendly but they have a slew of good new stuff in stock!

By: Dorrie

Dorrie — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 01:49:24 +0000

Very well put. . .My local shop at this very moment has 10 different bolts of Far Far Away including Unicorns on blue and magenta and it sits. . .myself and others have made several different projects using these wonderful fabrics and not much interest. . . I just don’t see it! By entering modern projects in quilt shows, judged or otherwise is very important. . .we need to all do that!

By: Amy (badskirt)

Amy (badskirt) — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 23:47:04 +0000

oh! Might I suggest this festival – http://www.nhk-ed.co.jp/event/quiltfestival/index_en.html Craig and I are seriously thinking of doing Japanuary for fabric shopping, quilt shows and snow skiing! I’d love to see an Alissa original in person. Do enter the Tokyo show!

By: Andi

Andi — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 23:35:32 +0000

Can’t believe you’ve only been blogging for a year. You seem like a complete pro!!
I’m with you on the ‘shop local’ front. In Australia, shops simply can’t compete with the US prices on fabric. Shopping online is, therefore, so very tempting.
I do it a bit but prefer to shop in a real bricks and mortar shop and support local businesses.
They really need our support too!!
Good for you!
ANdi

PS Loving your fabric choices for the giant hexes.

By: Nancy

Nancy — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 23:19:32 +0000

I live in LA, too. I go to JoAnn’s alot but I’ve the Patchwork Penguin in Tujunga is great. The owner has a nice selection of fabrics and a great deal on scraps–you just stuff them in ziplock bags and they are really nice. I like Quilt’n'Things in Montrose. Nice selection and a nice sales rack. Discount coupons available. Why don’t we try to come up with a list of quilt shops and ask them to offer discount coupons to quilt blogs to drum up business?