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Quilting Article by Abby Glassenberg

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Hey All! This article came out yesterday and I thought I'd share it. Here at Massdrop we sometimes hear how we're hurting, not helping, a community and while we don't agree with that sentiment, I do think that Abby eloquently states both sides of the coin.
So what say you, Quilters? Do you shop on Massdrop but still support your LQS? Is price the only factor when making a purchase? Have you found the site to be helpful in creating a community for you? Let me know what you think!
http://craftindustryalliance.org/massdrop-threat-local-quilt-shops/
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Agalinsweden
1
Mar 25, 2018
I live overseas, and there are no LQS in my area. I can drive 2 hours to get to IKEA though, for wide backing fabric, but that's another kettle of fish! I love to browse Massdrop to see what is new and what is coming, and I love the wide array of tools and battings. I've bought 100-packs of needles, and bulk of Superior Needles, as well as a few other tools I definitely didn't see when I went back home to the States. To be sure, I go to every LQS we could find while I'm there, and I pack my bags full, but for me; Massdrop is an indispensable way to round out my materials, and sometimes the shipping prices are even less than ordering directly. If I lived in the States, I'd want to be a part of the LQS for classes and Friday night sew-ins, and I'd drag my mom along too for the social and community aspect. I think that is a part of local shops that is ripe for development. Still, if the online quilting community both selling and blogging and teaching didn't exist, I would feel genuinely adrift, as I suspect many of us would.
mrstbenton
1
Mar 25, 2018
I buy what I need when I need it, and as a handicapped Sr Citizen, it is usually online, whether from Mass, Amazon or Joanne, Missouri Star Quilt or any of the other online shops . I now have to have someone take me to local quilt shops or Joanne, and that doesn't happen often, because my husband refuses and son works.
ailgil
15
Mar 23, 2018
I think places like Joann Fabrics hurt the LQS more. I've bought from LQS, Joann, Etsy, Amazon, and Massdrop. I get what I want after researching. Or on a whim.
As an aside, this sentence reeked of sexism to me: " It’s one of the smallest and the only one specifically geared towards women." MANY men quilt and do fiber arts.
ConnieH
1
Mar 10, 2018
This is the same issue as the big box stores versus mom & pop. I buy from who has what I need (or want!) I shop at my LQS due to the customer service and classes. I was primarily a fashion sewer, but there are very few high quality fabric stores anymore. Quilting is a relatively new hobby and purchasing specialty tools is expensive. I get my rotary cutting blades at Harbor Tools, simply because of price nothing to do with loyalty.
ailgil
15
Mar 23, 2018
ConnieHNever thought of them for rotary blades. Do they have the 60mm?
DiySyl
0
Jul 25, 2018
ailgilNo, only 45mm
RetiredRN
1
Jan 24, 2018
I support my LQS and Massdrop. I live an hour from my Bernina dealer and quilt shop and 30 minutes from the LQS time I travel is less time to sew so I like to shop the internet as much as possible. No I don't think it hurts the LQS any more than Amazon does for those of us who hate leaving home.
ernestina
26
Nov 24, 2017
I buy from both, if I find something on massdrop that I haven't seen elsewhere and I want I will buy. I have bought all the Karen k. Buckley scissors, you can't find a better price. I'm actually thinking about buying another set to take with me to my weekly guild
MountainQuilter
0
Nov 24, 2017
I live in an area with 5 quilt stores within a 50 mile radius. I frequent them and support them but even so many of the items I have purchased on massdrop are not available here.
Quilty
13
Nov 3, 2017
Interesting.
SJCQuiler
4
Nov 1, 2017
I purchased a few things on Massdrop (with great satisfaction), but I think I have supported every LQS within an 150 mile radius. LOL. I can't bring myself to visit a QS without buying something. I just did a 2200 mile road trip - I thought I was going to have to buy another suitcase to get home -- Thanks to the Quilt store billboards on I-80 there were numerous stops and Missouri Star Quilt Company (my final stop).
SnugglepackTM
9
Nov 1, 2017
I agree: There is plenty of room for both! I live in a VERY small town with only one LQS, and unfortunately it is a lousy shop owned by a woman who cannot be bothered to treat her employees OR her clients with the same respect to which she feels entitled! This however is not common in my experience. In general, I am more than happy to support my local quilt shop. Massdrop, on the other hand, helps me keep connected with the pulse of the hobby...what products/brands are innovative and trending, or reliable and trustworthy.
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