Ya Gotta Shop Around

In the past 5 years, I have seen a big jump in the number of quilt shops. Quilting has continued to gain in popularity, and many quilters have decided to jump on the band wagon and join the ranks of business owners. This means that as quilters you have more selection and more options than ever before. With the addition of Internet shopping, this is especially true.
This means that just like groceries, clothing, and other necessities, it is now possible to price shop for quilting supplies. Where before there was only 1 or 2 choices in one geographical area for quilting, now there may be 4 or 5 or more. And just like groceries and clothing, some shops are generally less expensive than others. This could mean that you are paying too much for your quilting supplies!

At a recent quilt show, I experienced this first hand as a shop owner. One particular quilt kit I offered was also offered from another vendor, for $50 more! We're talking identical fabrics and patterns, no discernible difference whatsoever. This is not an isolated incident. In general fabric, there are often shops in my area that carry the identical fabrics I have. Prices often range a $1.00 or more per yard, which can add up to big savings if you find the lowest price!
In this world of rising food and gasoline prices, quilting becomes even more of a luxury. So, don't forget to shop around a little. You might be surprised at the savings.