It’s so easy to get caught up in the big sales online, isn’t it? Big Box stores can offer big deep discounts when they want to… And you never even have to leave your living room chair. With all the ease, it might be easy to never leave your house!
Check out the bottom of this post for finding quilt shops in your area. Don’t be afraid to go on a little adventure to the other side of town every now and then… you may just find the fabric shop of your dreams!
Here is why you should shop at local quilt shops!
1. When you shop local, you’re making a personal investment in your neighborhood and your community.
It is said that for every $100 spent locally, roughly $68-$73 of it return to local activity! Wow!
When you shop at local quilt shops you are individually stimulating the local economy with your support and in turn, helping shape your community’s unique character and personality.
2. The ladies in local quilt shops are the best of the best!
Every single quilt shop I’ve been inside (and I usually try to hit up at least 1 or 2 when we travel) has the best people inside it! Friendly faces and smiles that are all too happy to have quilty conversations with you!
Also, other customers… who isn’t happy when you’re shopping for fabrics? Everyone is happy happy happy!
3. Quilt Shops will go the extra mile for you
Because the employees are likely personally invested in the fabric curating and selection as well as displays and collections they are selling, they are more likely to go the extra mile for their customers.
These ladies are extremely knowledgeable about their fabrics, their selection and will even help you pull together a quilt color palette if you’re having a hard time. They live and breathe fabric every single day and they are the masters of it.
For more info on curating your own fabric selection, check out this post.
4. Non-profits receive more support from Local Businesses
Local business owners provide significant support for non-profits. i.e. Quilt shop owners are just really really nice people! Non-Profits receive as much as 350% more money from local shops that non-locally owned businesses.
So, your money actually reaches even further to help the community!
5. A more defined selection
I’m not going to lie, the selection that you will find at a local quilt shop is so carefully crafted and refined to the requests of your community, it is unreal. Want local baseball team fabric? boom.
What is it that your quilting group is into right now? – Chances are that you’ll find something to meet those needs in your local quilt shop. If not, all you have to do is request a certain product and I’m sure they will be happy to carry it for you!
6. CLASSES! Learn something new!
My local quilt shop hosts numerous group activities and classes each month… you’ll never be bored. You can learn a new skill taught by another local, or check the schedule for a meetup of another traveling quilter!
Meet new friends, ask specific questions and get one on one help. Make sure to ask your local quilt shop if they have a calendar of events so you can start scheduling your quilting education!
If you’re looking for something very specific that your local Quilt shop doesn’t offer… I am always happy to point people towards BluePrint. They’re online classes are very informative and really good at breaking down the steps.
7. Create Local Jobs – Maybe even for you?
Another benefit for your community is more jobs… perhaps even a position open for you if you’re in the market for some part-time work! Maybe you’re retired and need a little extra spending money (or more money for fabric)
Do you have a skill that you think other people could benefit from? Perhaps you could hold a class?
8. You don’t have to pay to ship or wait for your mail person to bring your fabric!
This one is self-explanatory but it is worth mentioning… especially if you are impatient like I am. When I am inspired by a great idea or a beautiful vision for a quilt project… I want to start now, like right now… not 3-5 business days from now.
How Do I Find Local Quilt Shops?
The first thing you can do to find your local quilt shops is to ask around! Ask where your quilting friends shop. See if your guild has any recommendations!
Another way you can find local quilt shops is to give google a search for “quilt shop in your town” or “fabric shop in your town“. You might just be surprised to find a few little shops you didn’t even know existed!
Read the reviews online and make sure it is in a safe area before you venture out but don’t be afraid to go to an area of town you haven’t frequented before.
Make an adventure out of it!
If you live in a big city, chances are that you have at least a few quilt shops around you. But don’t forget to search the small towns around your area!
Small towns are full of wonderful small businesses that can use some good local business as well!
You can even get a few girlfriends together and make a day of it by carpooling and getting out of town for a change of scenery (oh, and getting some fabric too, of course!)
I live in Houston, Texas (no lack of anything here!) and my favorite quilt shop is a place called Quilter’s Crossing 🙂 You can check out their website here.
Tell me about your favorite local quilt shops! Write your town and your quilt shop in the comments below.