Ok so today I visited a real quilt shop for the first time. Yes, I've been quilting forever, and yes I've been to quilt shows....but as for a formal quilt shop where they teach classes, etc...first time.
It is a beautiful shop boasting 5,000 bolts of fabric. I was disappointed. Why?
1. Fabric is $8.00-$10.00 a yard!!! I think I'm paying a lot if I splurge on $4.00 a yard!
2. Everything looked too perfect...every example looked factory-made even though I know they sew them in the work room right there. You sure wouldn't find my rag quilts made out of worn out jeans hanging in those displays.
3. I asked about classes...since I have never taken a formal class, they said I had to start with a beginning class...using a rotary cutter and sewing a 1/4" seam. I said I was sure I could do that...see I don't want to pay $50 to learn how to do something I have been doing for 5 years (rotary cutters at least...I've been sewing for 15).
In conclusion I will continue to shop at Jo-ann and Hancock clearance racks (esp. $1.00 a yard).
I will continue to quilt in my own non-perfect, homemade-looking way...and no, that shop does not know the definition of scrappy!!!! They do things well, don't get me wrong, but it's just not for me.
3 comments:
Good for you! I took a class about 16 years ago and it was too precise for me. I'm a "chop it up and get it done" kinda gal LOL. I like quilts that are a bit wobbly - gives them character :-)
I agree about the character! Thanks for your comment! I'll keep sewing my crooked lines.
It's your quilt and you can do what you want with it! :o) I shop all over and if there is fabric I like and the price is reasonable, I will buy it. If you only shopped the quilt stores, would you quilt?
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