A very sad thing has happened lately. As most of you know, many brick and mortar shops are closing. So recently, when I heard that one of my favorite Quilt shops had closed, I was deeply saddened. Patchwork Pig carried a large and diverse selection of fabrics, where you could always find something that would work for any specific project.
It made me think about how supporting our local Quilt Shops helps to keep their doors open. It's hard sometimes, as Quilt shops are becoming more and more scarce, at least in our area. Some have veered away from carrying traditional fabrics. It seems because we live in the deep south, some of the shops have limited their lines to tropical or modern fabrics. I like these just fine, but as a traditional quilter, I do so love the traditional fabrics like Civil War and Reproduction fabrics.
The other day I stopped in at
Country Quilts and Bears. It's a small shop but they carry the type of fabric that I like. On the day I shopped, they were offering a sale of 30% off if you finished the bolt. When I have been to this sale previously, there were many shoppers, cleaning out the end of bolts. But this time, there were few in the shop. Actually there were only two other people. I was there looking for fabric to make a baby quilt for a friend. I could have gone to the big chain store, but decided that I would make my purchase there. I found this cute fabric with the ladybugs, and already had a pattern in mind.
I also came across this Jo Morton fabric that I can use with a Civil War pattern.
So I dug out my pattern.
And have started working on this baby quilt.
As fabric prices continue to escalate it will be harder and harder to buy much fabric from my Local Quilt shops. But I will try to shop smart, and watch for sales.
Are you finding it harder to support your local businesses?? Do you buy fabric online?
You can see the other neighborhoods being built at these blogs -
There are several really cute pincushion patterns and lots of creative ideas.
I had this idea if you use men's shirts for making quilt blocks (like Bonnie Hunter does), wouldn't it be cool to cut off the cuffs and make pincushions??
It's for a sweet little baby that was born this week. 
One bit of advice. Do NOT make a mistake in cutting :-S There is no extra fabric to re-cut anything. I am having to rob peter to pay paul on one of the blocks. I think I can make it work, but we will see. I'm feeling good about getting my BOM finished and at least making up a block here and there.
I also came across this Jo Morton fabric that I can use with a Civil War pattern.
So I dug out my pattern.
And have started working on this baby quilt.
As fabric prices continue to escalate it will be harder and harder to buy much fabric from my Local Quilt shops. But I will try to shop smart, and watch for sales.
