tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20705637.post7373550084639264417..comments2024-03-27T22:07:57.614-04:00Comments on Diary of a Sewing Fanatic: Do you shop around?Carolyn (Diary of a Sewing Fanatic)http://www.blogger.com/profile/02204627216540667980noreply@blogger.comBlogger32125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20705637.post-9244198345032618792019-09-29T23:27:10.649-04:002019-09-29T23:27:10.649-04:00I do price shop novelty prints online. That said, ...I do price shop novelty prints online. That said, I do give some thought to turnaround time. Fabric.com takes forever; Harts gets to me within 72 hours. So that's worth a buck, also their customer service is excellent. A couple ebay and etsy stores get my business first for same reasons. I've gotten burned on content/quality online even at Mood, so I'm hesitant to purchase new to me manufacturers online except from Harts or District Fabrics, as I know they will not let me down. SJ Kurtzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04871599515352715171noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20705637.post-82048749630773164422019-06-11T17:30:25.797-04:002019-06-11T17:30:25.797-04:00There is a real dearth of good fabric stores near ...There is a real dearth of good fabric stores near me (the best one is a 4-hour RT car ride) so I order online. My usual M.O. is to try to get as much as I can from one place at a time so I can avoid shipping costs -- thread/zips/fabric/muslin/patterns, as much as I can stuff into the shopping cart. I also have to order swatches of most fabrics, so it's a rather slow shopping experience. Sucks, actually.Sarahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05287155383191241470noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20705637.post-8579439960481792202019-06-03T02:00:44.071-04:002019-06-03T02:00:44.071-04:00Just lovely!Just lovely!Jacquiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14467676666537786676noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20705637.post-5545216456054726712019-05-24T12:25:07.708-04:002019-05-24T12:25:07.708-04:00I usually shop online because it is easier than go...I usually shop online because it is easier than going to the stores. I am fortunate to have a few wareshouse type fabric stores close enough to me, and they often have good prices, but I easily get overwhelmed, and would rather be able to place some filters on what I am looking for. I am one of the (seems like) rare sewists who only buy the fabric needed for a specific project and very rarely what just jumps out at me. <br /><br />With that said though, I don't always price compare; I instead go with shops that I can trust the quality and know what I am getting. That sometimes means higher prices, but I do like to know what I am getting and be able to trust a good return policy if needed. For tools, I try to buy the best I can afford up front, before I need them. If I do need something quick, a run to walmart/joann/hobby lobby is what I will do, but it's kind of a last resort.<br /><br />EmeraldEmeraldhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15454020666579133175noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20705637.post-80532762617202391192019-05-18T13:24:43.261-04:002019-05-18T13:24:43.261-04:00Thanks, Lodi! That's really helpful. :-)Thanks, Lodi! That's really helpful. :-)Kelleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06707012685016420405noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20705637.post-14222104572470589032019-05-17T12:54:57.377-04:002019-05-17T12:54:57.377-04:00Of course I fabric shop online and am always amaze...Of course I fabric shop online and am always amazed at sewists that don't. Why limit yourself? But I haven't really done much in regards to price comparison. I will do more of this so thanks for the reminder! Oooooh do I love your latest creation!!! Karensewingkmhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11747001697655177474noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20705637.post-70600448339016692652019-05-17T11:08:12.903-04:002019-05-17T11:08:12.903-04:00Love the jacket.Love the jacket.Conniehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12487033797374042302noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20705637.post-72541167951573562232019-05-14T13:13:30.685-04:002019-05-14T13:13:30.685-04:00Kelley, Check the blog "Wanderstitch". T...Kelley, Check the blog "Wanderstitch". They took a trip to NYC in November (?) and went to different shops in the garment district-one being all lycra/sports fabrics. (I'd just been there myself & missed the sports fabric store.)<br />Have funa<br />Lodihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13777295136016723298noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20705637.post-60393341482761979112019-05-11T16:22:16.931-04:002019-05-11T16:22:16.931-04:00I try, but there aren't too many places here (...I try, but there aren't too many places here (in Australia) that sell the same fabrics, so I tend to go with what I like and just try to stick to a bit of a budget. <br /><br />Having said that, I am coming to New York for a couple of days in July and am keen to do a spot of fabric shopping. We are staying a few blocks away from the fabric district (I think) and I'm keen to pick up some athletic fabric, since that is what I have the most difficulty locating back home. I'll have my family (husband and teen daughter) with me so will have to be fairly strategic about how I spend my time. If you've got time to recommend some places, I'd be so grateful! Kelleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06707012685016420405noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20705637.post-56894104802401457962019-05-10T03:07:07.083-04:002019-05-10T03:07:07.083-04:00I do shop around. It takes a long time to learn wh...I do shop around. It takes a long time to learn which places are worth the higher prices because of markedly better fabrics, brand names to trust and snap up wherever they are most reasonable, shipping, service, whatever other concerns come up. It’s kind of cool to start having all that knowledge and kind of irritating to need it. Happy upcoming birthday!BarbaraShowellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07026317469719944260noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20705637.post-25791158166442974762019-05-08T06:22:21.754-04:002019-05-08T06:22:21.754-04:00I only comparison shop when I want a particular fa...I only comparison shop when I want a particular fabric. If I'm browsing and see something pretty, I get it then and there. That's the beauty/benefit/danger of living near robust, independent fabric stores (yes, plural!). I'm about to move to a place without this in-person access. My stash will tide me over while I settle in, but I suspect I'll shop online for fabrics moving forward.Ebi Poweighahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03026373137625603176noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20705637.post-84233300902119786812019-05-06T17:43:17.955-04:002019-05-06T17:43:17.955-04:00I do shop around for fabric most of the time. Som...I do shop around for fabric most of the time. Sometimes though I just have to have the one I saw because quantities were low. By doing so, I have saved some money. I always shop around for sewing tools and machines. Linda Lhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12655695696943452993noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20705637.post-68428031060216735502019-05-06T09:32:37.127-04:002019-05-06T09:32:37.127-04:00I comparision shop for EVERYTHING, including fabri...I comparision shop for EVERYTHING, including fabric! My general 'notion' (so punny) is that shipping is the deal breaker when looking at total cost. <br />And I love those birthday salesLodihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13777295136016723298noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20705637.post-38039729212950066512019-05-05T23:03:21.245-04:002019-05-05T23:03:21.245-04:00If it's online shopping...I comparison shop; p...If it's online shopping...I comparison shop; price, selection, shipping costs etc. That being said, I don't do a lot of online shopping. I just found out another of my local fabric stores will be closing its doors this year and the options for basics; zips, thread, buttons, interfacing etc is becoming limited. So...I'm trying to please everyone, as usual, LOL. <br /><br />Love your jacket!<br />Sue @ A Colourful Canvashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15509898677660889672noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20705637.post-63347833957712910412019-05-05T16:54:28.747-04:002019-05-05T16:54:28.747-04:00Your jacket is gorgeous. That fabric is amazing. I...Your jacket is gorgeous. That fabric is amazing. If that is what you scour from your internet shopping, you nailed it, and please continue! I do shop online some and I do compare. I am a pretty thrifty shopper over all but my philosophy is the bargains give me the permission for the ocassional exhorbitant splurge. I'm justified!Bunnyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03672695141031447916noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20705637.post-897829003879435212019-05-05T13:46:06.054-04:002019-05-05T13:46:06.054-04:00I shop around daily. I refuse to be limited by wh...I shop around daily. I refuse to be limited by what is sold at my local shops. They do not stock every fabric released by the manufacturers. I check the internet for prices on everything including hardware, electronics, patterns and food. I like to shop locally to keep them in business but if they don't have it online I go.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07676663319196534720noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20705637.post-14444127087042075862019-05-04T15:25:36.601-04:002019-05-04T15:25:36.601-04:00Mine is from Amazon. It's by RoxyDesign.Mine is from Amazon. It's by RoxyDesign.Carolyn (Diary of a Sewing Fanatic)https://www.blogger.com/profile/02204627216540667980noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20705637.post-23321177896457633492019-05-04T14:44:46.875-04:002019-05-04T14:44:46.875-04:00Definitely shop around and include shipping costs ...Definitely shop around and include shipping costs in the final decision.Clairehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15194992378512097699noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20705637.post-56206598313612466782019-05-04T14:19:32.275-04:002019-05-04T14:19:32.275-04:00I'm fortunate to have lots of stores to shop a...I'm fortunate to have lots of stores to shop at for fabric. However, I've almost stopped looking at online shops because the cost of shipping has gone up so much, and if I purchase enough to get free shipping, then the customs are too high to make it viable. So I shop around town, and when I go to the States each year, I have a field day shopping for fabric! Sadly, we live way out west, so have never been to the wonderful fabric stores you have down east. Now that we're retired, though, and we go to the States for a month or two every winter, I shop online and have it shipped for free to the rental we're in. It means I have a small window of time to shop, but there are usually some good bargains to be had. Love your dover jacket.Marlenehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02112212562529055617noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20705637.post-82750321118714186572019-05-04T12:57:26.668-04:002019-05-04T12:57:26.668-04:00I do and I don't. How is that for an answer? ...I do and I don't. How is that for an answer? If I'm looking for something specific, then I will absolutely shop around. If I'm falling "victim" to an email and impulse buying fabric then not so much. And I would say I know when your birthday is, but I always get it wrong :\ <br /><br />That dover is gorgeous! You will be so fancy over your jeans. :) ggMariehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04301526396026815132noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20705637.post-35185013164340911202019-05-04T11:04:46.926-04:002019-05-04T11:04:46.926-04:00I don't shop around very much. I have 2 basic ...I don't shop around very much. I have 2 basic favorite websites that I use when I have a few $$ to spend on fabric. I don't go to the local stores for garment fabrics. Without any storage space, my shopping is limited. I have bought my machines from my local dealer and was gifted with a Singer Featherweight and a White 1911. That gives me 7 machines so I don't need anymore especially since I don't have a sewing room. LOL!!!Marty's Little Cornerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06008495069826265706noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20705637.post-972623846469042272019-05-04T10:41:22.611-04:002019-05-04T10:41:22.611-04:00I don't fabric shop online usually because the...I don't fabric shop online usually because the local chain store here is pretty good. They do have lots of fleece but also lots of quilting fabrics and some nice apparel fabrics. Online fabric is difficult because there is so much of it. The bigger the field of choice the more difficult it is to choose.Connie Turnerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13526657792519056005noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20705637.post-40090385812990903942019-05-04T10:32:21.099-04:002019-05-04T10:32:21.099-04:00oohh that navy border print is so spectacular. I ...oohh that navy border print is so spectacular. I bet you wear that jacket to death.Connie Turnerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13526657792519056005noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20705637.post-5956720965991882142019-05-04T10:00:31.234-04:002019-05-04T10:00:31.234-04:00I have a few favored sites, and I check them all w...I have a few favored sites, and I check them all when I'm looking for something specific. I'm looking both for what do I like, and where is the best price. And then there is always the problem of seeing something you didn't know you wanted, and yet, here it is. Sometimes I do go to the fleece craft fabric store if I need something specific right now, but that's often for Christmas fabric - think napkins, decorations, whatnot. I'm with you: if you want to be able to contemplate a variety of fabrics, shop around. (And happy "shopping" day, whenever it may be!)Marjiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14950085029835332900noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20705637.post-75395503245303300682019-05-04T09:08:18.638-04:002019-05-04T09:08:18.638-04:00I am just beginning to purchase fabrics online. I ...I am just beginning to purchase fabrics online. I was looking for some gingham and checked a few sites and noticed that the prices varied by three or four dollars. But, I didn't purchase them because my top sloper is almost finished. I know that some fabric stores carry fabrics unique to them, so I would probably check a few sites and then just order for them. When I'm looking for a tool, I will check my local "fleece craft store" to see if they have it and wait for a good sale. I will wait to order thread from Wawak until they have a sale. I'm currently pondering whether I need a Reliable iron and will definitely shop for price and warranty. The department store have conditioned us to wait for (weekly!) sales that I worry that thinking has rubbed off on all of our shopping. (When I lived in Philly and had a small fabric district and when I went to NYC to fabric shop I never thought about comparing prices - if they had it, I bought it!) Great question! Mary JacksonMary Jacksonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04313195078664200215noreply@blogger.com