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Post by farmchix on Apr 11, 2015 13:05:33 GMT
Not creating this to bash anyone....what kinds of things do you look for in a shop? Full Disclaimer....I had a brick & mortar shop and now am just online.
I still love going into shops and patronizing independent businesses. Recently went on vacation with some friends. Hubs found us a very cool needlework shop that I had never noticed before in Gatlinburg. Loved it because it wasn't too cluttered but they had tons of cross-stitch samples made up. They only thing I didn't like is that they didn't have the cross-stitch fabrics for sale by the yard. They had a huge selection, but most of them were barely big enough for my project. (They were all pre-cut to strange sizes in little bags.) I ended up putting one pattern back because I couldn't find the correct color/size fabric for the project. Still was a great shop--I spent waaaaay too much money.
One quilt shop had current fabrics, but the quilts on the wall weren't inspiring. Not a lot of books/patterns. Owner was a tad 'pushy'.
One quilt shop was just selling shop-lifted items from other shops. Yeah, it's a real story. I don't know how she even made enough to pay her rent, but there she was.
One quilt shop had a lot of pre-printed pics, pre-cut stencil (the black ones, like bears, etc for applique) packages. No new fabrics. But, she had lots of samples.
Also found a new Pattern Store. My friend goes there a lot. She had patterns for quilting, penny rugs, purses, dolls, wood lawn stuff.
Stopped in a place on the way home that had a huge selection, but everything was older--right down to the books and patterns. I ended up paying full price for a really old pattern that was tattered and torn....but it's all about supply and demand, right??
So, what inspires you when you shop? Don't get me wrong, most of the shops had something to 'inspire' me, but I just wasn't feeling like there was one favorite all around shop.
All in all, my friend and I found a couple of new places. We spent a lot of money. But, we also decided that rather than shop hopping ourselves around to some of the places, we will just go to a few and spend the other time in the cabin stitching.
I love seeing lots of samples--especially with the fabrics on hand. I love lots of light. I like friendly store employees who aren't pushy. As a longarm quilter, I also like looking at the quilting on quilts.....
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Post by Maura on Apr 11, 2015 16:05:47 GMT
I like the store to be well lit. I frequent quilt shops. I like it to have coordinating fabrics, for instance if there are a dozen fabrics in a line I’d like to see at least six. Shops will reflect the taste of the owner, and sometimes I can’t really find anything I like. I think a shop owner should through in a few fabrics she doesn’t love. I also like to see something that is not a quilting fabric. Something for rug making or tote bag making, that sort of thing so I can go to one shop. I like knowledgeable people. I like hand sewing needles and good thread.
I also like to see quilts hanging up. One shop, which closed after a couple of years, had only one pattern on the walls. The same quilt four times. Not very inspiring.
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Post by dw on Apr 11, 2015 19:31:26 GMT
I am always looking for new ideas so I want cool things on the walls...and, of course, wonderful fabrics!
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Post by Gretchen on Apr 13, 2015 0:31:16 GMT
I like when I can tell owner/clerk what I am looking for and they pull 5 or 6 bolts for me to select from.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 13, 2015 13:59:34 GMT
What inspires me when I shop for fabric at a Mom and Pop Store?
Well I've worked in a big box fabric store and I've worked in a Mom and Pop store. I definitely like the small store better. Much, much better. The fabrics for one are so much better. When it comes to the hand of the fabric and the thread count it's just so much better. For a quilt that is to last until the next generation or is 'a keeper', that's the fabric to buy. Cost you say? These small shops have great sale days. Get on their mailing list to find out when they are.
Inspires me. The lines of fabric at a good shop. And to find that great shop go on a shop hop just once in your area. You'll see most of the shops and get a feel for the fabrics that they have on hand and what their view of the fabric world is. You may not like Alexander Henry Fabrics, Or Maria Horner. But, there may be a shop that has a huge selection of Civil War Fabrics that you just love. And If they are too far away get on their mailing list, or order on line and get just what you want.
I like a shop that moves things around. We used to say move it and make it new. And that's just what it does. I love it when a shop makes something or displays something with that fabric to tell the fabric story or what you can do with that fabric.
I love it when a shop greets me when I walk in the door. That tells me that I'm important to them and they know I'm in the shop. I like a space to put things down and arrange fabric to plan my project. I love it when they have a space for quilt classes or just a place people can come and quilt with a group.
We have a few placing in our area like this. Those are the shops I frequent.
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Post by mollymckee on Apr 14, 2015 4:25:48 GMT
I like a lot of light, helpful, but not pushy staff, a great selection of good fabric. I like to see neat ideas on display. It is really annoying to see a quilt or wall hanging that you like and find out they either don't have the pattern, it's out of print, or only have it in an expensive, overpriced kit.
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Post by farmchix on Apr 19, 2015 12:08:05 GMT
I agree Mollymckee. Hate it when a sample is hanging and there is no pattern available.
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Post by farmchix on Apr 19, 2015 12:09:21 GMT
What inspires me when I shop for fabric at a Mom and Pop Store? Well I've worked in a big box fabric store and I've worked in a Mom and Pop store. I definitely like the small store better. Much, much better. The fabrics for one are so much better. When it comes to the hand of the fabric and the thread count it's just so much better. For a quilt that is to last until the next generation or is 'a keeper', that's the fabric to buy. Cost you say? These small shops have great sale days. Get on their mailing list to find out when they are. Inspires me. The lines of fabric at a good shop. And to find that great shop go on a shop hop just once in your area. You'll see most of the shops and get a feel for the fabrics that they have on hand and what their view of the fabric world is. You may not like Alexander Henry Fabrics, Or Maria Horner. But, there may be a shop that has a huge selection of Civil War Fabrics that you just love. And If they are too far away get on their mailing list, or order on line and get just what you want. I like a shop that moves things around. We used to say move it and make it new. And that's just what it does. I love it when a shop makes something or displays something with that fabric to tell the fabric story or what you can do with that fabric. I love it when a shop greets me when I walk in the door. That tells me that I'm important to them and they know I'm in the shop. I like a space to put things down and arrange fabric to plan my project. I love it when they have a space for quilt classes or just a place people can come and quilt with a group. We have a few placing in our area like this. Those are the shops I frequent. I love it when there are samples that inspire you to buy fabric from a new line. |
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Post by wvterri on Apr 19, 2015 15:33:05 GMT
I guess I'm odd, of course I've known that for a lot of years though.  When I go into a place I like to chat with the workers and look over the fabric. I don't care about having samples or seeing patterns, I have enough of them in my head to keep me busy for two lifetimes. I don't care a whit about fabric lines or name brands or the latest gadgets. For me, it really is about chatting with the workers and finding a good deal on fabric. |
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Post by farmchix on Apr 19, 2015 22:58:25 GMT
I guess I'm odd, of course I've known that for a lot of years though. When I go into a place I like to chat with the workers and look over the fabric. I don't care about having samples or seeing patterns, I have enough of them in my head to keep me busy for two lifetimes. I don't care a whit about fabric lines or name brands or the latest gadgets. For me, it really is about chatting with the workers and finding a good deal on fabric. Different people have different expectations. It doesn't make you odd. Some don't even like for you to say hello when they walk in. (I'm that way at the mall, but then again, I hate shopping at the mall.) |
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Post by Gretchen on Apr 20, 2015 12:29:42 GMT
This is a plug for my local quilt store, Calico Point, near Goshen, Ind.
I love it when I walk in and they look over and say "Good Morning Gretchen"! It just makes my day to see pleasant smiling faces and people who are at work but enjoy what they are doing.
It is like the old Cheers TV program, 'everyone wants to go where you are known'. That isn't phrased quite right but I think you get the idea.
And they have wonderful lighting, no dark corners.
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Post by farmchix on Apr 20, 2015 13:29:40 GMT
That's very cool Gretchen!
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Post by Deleted on Jun 13, 2015 20:07:42 GMT
Girls I'm new here and this is my first post. If you want a wonderful quilt shop go to Quilters Station in Lees Summit, Mo. They have a great website too.
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Post by Wendy on Jun 14, 2015 0:35:20 GMT
I have been in several quilt shops & none of them carried quilt binding. I usually buy applique or cross stitch quilt kits. I like to buy the binding for it when I am done & usually have to order it online. Walmart carries some, but usually not enough of one color to finish a big quilt. I do not like making my own. I think it's pretty sad when a quilt shop doesn't carry QUILT binding.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 14, 2015 13:00:19 GMT
...Full Disclaimer....I had a brick & mortar shop and now am just online....
Just curious, why did you close your brick & mortar shop?
CD in Oklahoma
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Post by farmchix on Jul 9, 2015 15:00:52 GMT
...Full Disclaimer....I had a brick & mortar shop and now am just online....
Just curious, why did you close your brick & mortar shop?
CD in Oklahoma
Lost our lease at old location. It was awesome 6,000 s.f. We wanted to move closer to the family, so it wasn't that big of a deal. We literally just got moved. So, we are trying to re-open by fall. This has been quite the move. Today, I'm trying to get credit card back online so I can process a backup of orders. *sigh* I just got the computers back up and running, which is a start...and was a lot of work, surprisingly enough. |
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Post by Deleted on Aug 6, 2015 0:56:37 GMT
A shop in my area are has started to post signs stating "no taking pictures allowed". Since the advent of camera phones, I always ask if I take a pic to send to [family member or friend] before investing so much money in a pattern and material. If they don't like the quilt sample then I move on to something else. This is quite irksome and so unfortunately for them, I have taken my business elsewhere.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 6, 2015 14:28:54 GMT
...."no taking pictures allowed".....I have taken my business elsewhere. The “no photos allowed” is an effort to combat what is called “Showrooming”, where the brick and mortar shop is used as a showroom to aid in online sales. The customer looks, feels, and/or smells of an item in a shop, and then hurries off to the internet to buy the item or supplies to make the item. Sometimes, they buy it online with their smart phone right there in the shop. Having a photo helps them. The physical shop gets no income, and even has to pay for the customer to be able to do that (overhead to keep the shop open). Showrooming has aided in many small stores having to close down, and even the big box stores try to fight back. Target and Amazon got into it over showrooming a while back.... CD in Oklahoma |
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Post by farmchix on Aug 7, 2015 11:51:52 GMT
...."no taking pictures allowed".....I have taken my business elsewhere. The “no photos allowed” is an effort to combat what is called “Showrooming”, where the brick and mortar shop is used as a showroom to aid in online sales. The customer looks, feels, and/or smells of an item in a shop, and then hurries off to the internet to buy the item or supplies to make the item. Sometimes, they buy it online with their smart phone right there in the shop. Having a photo helps them. The physical shop gets no income, and even has to pay for the customer to be able to do that (overhead to keep the shop open). Showrooming has aided in many small stores having to close down, and even the big box stores try to fight back. Target and Amazon got into it over showrooming a while back.... CD in Oklahoma We had mixed feelings about pics. Some of the other shops would send ladies over to find out about this or that. We also had customers who would take a pic of something and buy elsewhere. That's a tough call to make. |
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Post by Deleted on Aug 7, 2015 13:46:13 GMT
friendly staff....not pushy or condescending. There is one store 5 minutes away from me. They've recently expanded their space too. I only go there if I can't drive an hour to go to another store. They're just not friendly. Doesn't matter what fabric they have, what thread they have. It's just not an enjoyable experience. I've tried several times over the years and it seems that unless you are in the "guild" or shop there weekly you're not in the "in crowd".
Yet an hour up the road is a small store owned by a lady that even if you're in there once a year she remembers your name and talks to you like you've known each other for years. .....
Guess which store I go to?
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When I go into a place I like to chat with the workers and look over the fabric. I don't care about having samples or seeing patterns, I have enough of them in my head to keep me busy for two lifetimes. I don't care a whit about fabric lines or name brands or the latest gadgets. 
