by Sandra | January 28th, 2010
Since I was asked how I shop online, I have been thinking a lot about it. At first it seemed like it would be simple enough to talk about what I look for etc., but I found it to be a bit more complicated to explain my criteria in a few sentences. So with that caveat, I will give it my best shot.
Shipping Time
One thing I am very particular about is shipping time and I have my preferences for shops that are quick to get my orders out and using USPS priority mail rather than UPS ground shipping. If a shop takes more than a week to even get the order shipped, I am not pleased and will find an alternative for the same fabric as there are many shops who are more conscientious about timely shipping. In this day and age it should NOT take more than a week to receive an order. Mistakes happen and I am forgiving of them, but consistently shipping SLOWLY will lose my business.
What I am looking for…….
I specifically zero in on the color(s) I want before going in search of the fabric. It is easy to get sidetracked and overwhelmed by the myriad of choices and end up buying what I don’t need, rather than what I want. When confronted with so many choices of the color I am looking for, it can get overwhelming really fast, so I narrow down the possible choices by looking for:
A small scale print that reads like a solid, batiks, or a tonal blender quality without hard edge color shifts. I do not buy large bold prints even for backgrounds because I find them distracting for applique. I work with detail and small intricate pieces and these types of fabric do not play well with this style of applique. I just can’t go wrong with painterly applique if I stick to these choices. These types of fabrics do most of the work for me.
I buy in half yards for most of my applique fabrics, and between 1.5 to 3 yards for my backgrounds. For large backgrounds, it depends on how much I really like the fabric and how it will serve the applique design. Am I making a medallion style or multi- block? If I find a fantastic batik, I sometimes will buy a full yard. Especially a green for leaves fabric, because I do a lot of leaves. The fabric will work on many a project, not just one.
Confidence in the Fabric Images
I make sure I can assess the color of the fabric properly from the image presented. I don’t order from small or bad fabric scans. You end up with mystery fabric when you receive it (the quilter’s version of mystery meat). The image must be large and clear so I can eliminate surprises if possible. I still get some mystery fabrics every now and then, but not as much anymore. At least I don’t have to eat it, unlike mystery meat.
Preferences
My two top sites I buy fabric from that consistently match the criteria above are The Fat Quarter Shop and Fabric Shack. I can count on the latest fabrics coming to my door quickly, with a personal touch and great customer service. I appreciate that and support them with my $$.
I must thank Boop (to my husband’s dismay) for hooking me up with that fabulous fabric search engine, Quiltshops.com Fabric Search, complete with thumbnail views so I can easily scan fabrics from many shops without having to click back and forth between sites and pages.
Did I answer those questions at how I shop online, or maybe I am guilty of too much information?
Excellent answer!! Thank you so much and NO you did not provide too much information at all. My problem is being overwhelmed when looking for a particular fabric, hearing that you have the same issue makes me feel better. Really appreciate your favorite links and like you, I want my stuff now, not two weeks from now! Thanks again!!
Sandra, There is no such thing as too much info! LOL! Thanks for sharing your secrets. We really appreciate it!
Love the projects for Seattle. I can hardly wait! Thanks for all the effort you’ve gone to.
Hope your hand is feeling better.
Thanks Melanie! the hand gets better every day.
Oh yes, Eva we ALL have the same issues.
I’m glad your husband doesn’t know me ! LOL !
and mine doesn’t know you !
I’m glad I could be of some help ! LOL !
I think it is best Boop if we keep each other a secret don’t you? LOL
Sandra,
If we were in the biggest quilt shop in the world we would be in the same aisle …. the one with all the fabrics which read as almost solid from across the room.
Even if i am looking for fabric for a pieced project I pick a couple of feature fabrics, then head for the blenders.
I think some stores have way too many busy prints and no where hear enough fabric to give the big bold prints room to shine.
Judy I think this is especially true now with these really bold pop prints. Of which I wouldn’t use in a pieced quilt of mine either–too busy and bright for me. I am lucky to have a quilt shop a few miles away that buys mainly support fabrics/blenders and one or two focus fabrics from a line! Imagine that?