Okay now on to the USA....land of quilting. I'm repeating myself a little bit at the beginning but I don't want to assume you've read my previous blog on purchases in Australia and New Zealand. For those of you have, then skip on down to the part of the blog which will interest you the most, SHOPPING!
Newsletters:
One thing I would highly recommend is whatever site you look at sign up for their newsletter and/or blog (can differ from site to site). This is the best way to keep up with specials, new fabrics, books, etc. the site may sell. The best deal I've got is 40% off all items on the website. This was a US shop and even with the postage, I still managed to buy the fabric at less than half for what I would have paid for it here. If you're not keen about having a lot mail coming to your personal email account, do I what I did open up an alternative online email account (e.g. Hotmail, gmail, yahoo, etc.) and have the newsletters, etc. sent there.
Postage:
I can't say this enough, always ask what the postage will be for the item. Even within Australia, this can vary. This becomes even more so when looking overseas. For example for those of you outside the USA, one US store I've bought from at least a couple of times has offered half price postage on the flat rate envelopes (what's that I hear you asking - more on that in a moment) vs another online store that charges a flat rate of $20 if you purchase US$150 up to US$300 then free shipping when its over that amount. Also shipping can be based on either yardage or value of amount purchased - make sure you check that before getting too carried away.
For those of you living the US, a great many online stores will offer you heavily reduced postage or even free. And those of you living in Canada, postage for you kinda of falls in between the two extremes.
Okay for those of you who live overseas, one of the cheapest ways to get your fabric or precuts to you is asking for the flat rate packets/envelope rate. Depending upon what part of the States the shop is, the price can vary between US$15 and US$18 - NOTE: The US post office just increased their rates quite a bit, on average the increase was US$3. Then the next question is how much can they fit into the envelope. This will vary from seller to seller but a rule of thumb is generally 2 jelly rolls or around 8 charm packs or between 6 and 8 yards of fabric. ALWAYS ask as this can really vary from seller to seller.
Missouri Star Quilt Company
Link: http://www.missouriquiltco.com
Postage: Varies depending upon if your in the US or International. Outside of USA postage is variable up to US$150 spent then $20 flat rate between $150 and US$300 and then free over $300. Sorry Canadian readers, not too sure your postage rates.
Rating: Thumbs Up
I'm not even sure where to begin with the Missouri Quilt Company! There is so much to talk about. So I'll stick to the topic which is buying online. If you're a precut fan then this is the store for you. MQC probably has one of the biggest ranges that I've seen online so far and they don't simply have the usual Moda line either. They also offer precuts from Kaufman, Benartex, Windham Fabrics, etc. Given their postage discounting, I've generally found it cheaper to buy jelly rolls from here than on eBay. MQC have all the latest releases and generally a good selection of the coordinating fabric.
And of course they have a large range of fabric from the main suppliers though with a heavy emphasis on Moda. Generally the fabric is discounted as well.
This is also the store for you if you need your quilting supplies replaced or you're looking for the latest thing in quilting supplies MSQ is the place to shop. On my next shopping round I've got my eye on some templates I want to have a try - scallop edges, wedges, etc.
Then MQC have their daily deals. At the time of writing this blog, the day's deal was free shipping in the USA. Other deals are generally heavily discounted pre cuts. One thing to note is the precut deals are generally only for a maximum of one pack.
And yes there is more. MQC also offer "Quilter's Cash" (http://www.missouriquiltco.com/quitlers-cash/) which you can use on future purchase. Click on the link and this will give you more information.
And last but not least what pointed me to MQC's shop in the first place are the tutorials that Jenny (the owner) offers. I originally found Jenny and MQC on You Tube. Watching Jenny and her family giving tutorials on quilting particularly around using precuts has moved me from not being a precut fan to having a bit of a run of buying precuts to try all the techniques that I've been learning. I highly recommend watching the tutorials. If you're anything like me they'll get you enthused to try them out. I can' say enough about these tutorials........watch them and you'll be a convert like me.
Burkholders LLC
Link: http://www.burkfabrics.com
Postage: Varies depending upon amount purchased.
Rating: Thumbs Up
I found this store when I was hunting for an elusive fabric range to finish off a quilt for my aunt. I'm so good at buying fabric that is out of print (OOP) and then spend the next six to twelve months hunting down coordinating and/or additional fabric. The range offered by the store is good. They also offer a small range of precuts as well. Burkholders doesn't have the biggest range of fabrics but there was certainly enough from me to search from.
And I'll keep saying this over and over, sign up for their newsletter as this will ensure you hear about their sales which can be enough to pay for the postage for those of you who live over seas.
Stay tuned for more on shopping in USA quilting stores.
Friday, March 30, 2012
Wednesday, March 14, 2012
Successful Purchases - Australia & New Zealand
Can't believe I've been a tad slow in coming back to you all. I blame work...something has to feed my quilting habit I'm afraid. Okay, here is the first part of my series on purchasing online. I thought I'd start locally and then I'll head on to other online purchases.
Newsletters:
One thing I would highly recommend is whatever site you look at sign up for their newsletter and/or blog (can differ from site to site). This is the best way to keep up with specials, new fabrics, books, etc. the site may sell. The best deal I've got is 40% off all items on the website. This was a US shop and even with the postage, I still managed to buy the fabric at less than half for what I would have paid for it here. If you're not keen about having a lot mail coming to your personal email account, do I what I did open up an alternative online email account (e.g. Hotmail, gmail, yahoo, etc.) and have the newsletters, etc. sent there.
Postage:
I can't say this enough, always ask what the postage will be for the item. Even within Australia, this can vary. This becomes even more so when looking overseas. For example, one Kiwi online store I go to offers a flat rate of $10 up to NZ$150 while a US online store I go to has a flat rate of US$20 if you spend US$150 and free if over US$300. Most sites will have shipping rates but if you can't find them easily, check out either "customer services" or FAQs. If all else fails, email and request the postage rate for what you are after.
Australia
Craft Depot:
Link - http://www.craftdepot.com.au/
Postage - Standard Australia Post rates
Rating - Thumbs Up
The Craft Depot was my first online purchase from an Australian company. I found them to be very quick and effecient with my order and everything arrived in a timely manner. Have a look at the website which is well set up. They have a nice range of fabrics. I suspect they don't have everything online they do in their store but certainly a big enough selection to find something you're after. The Craft Depot charge standard Australia Post rates. However, recently they had a special offer of no postage charge within Australia for a couple of weeks. You can see why I suggest you sign up for the online shop's newsletters.
Sewing Box
Link - http://www.sewingbox.com.au/
Postage - A little complicated in that rates are charged more along US lines. However, they do reimburse the difference between what the checkout charges and Australian rates.
Rating - Thumbs Up
The Sewing Box is one of my more recent finds. If you love precuts then this online store will appeal to you. On top of that this site has had some of the best prices for pre cuts I've seen in Australia. And yes there is more, probably one of the best sales of charm squares, jelly rolls and layer cakes I've seen to date even with postage, just about beat the price I would pay for the same items if purchased direct from the US. Yes again, found this out through their newsletter. Delivery was quick and via Australia Post. My only criticism is the postage calculation is catered towards overseas sales. As you'll see on the website, what happens is you pay the postage and the owner will reimburse the difference to you directly within the parcel you are sent. I can confirm that this is the case.
New Zealand
KiwiQuilts
Link - http://www.kiwiquilts.co.nz/
Postage - $10 up to NZ$150 and $20 NZ$151+
Rating - Thumbs Up
One of my favourite online stores is KiwiQuilts. It course has nothing to do with the fact that I'm a Kiwi....will maybe a little. Truthfully though I enjoy Mary's blog (sign up by clicking on the link above) and probably one of the few I make a point of reading regularly. Mary designs a lot of Kiwiana style quilts which I'm totally envious of. For me, I buy a lot of my Kiwiana fabric from Mary's store and I can't say enough on how great the service is. Everything has always arrived well packaged and quickly. Now I just need to bring some of my ideas to life...stay tuned as I've a number of Christmas presents to make this year with what I've bought so far. Mary also has some great sales so keep an eye out for what will come up next!
Hopefully, I've wetted your appetite. More to come!
Newsletters:
One thing I would highly recommend is whatever site you look at sign up for their newsletter and/or blog (can differ from site to site). This is the best way to keep up with specials, new fabrics, books, etc. the site may sell. The best deal I've got is 40% off all items on the website. This was a US shop and even with the postage, I still managed to buy the fabric at less than half for what I would have paid for it here. If you're not keen about having a lot mail coming to your personal email account, do I what I did open up an alternative online email account (e.g. Hotmail, gmail, yahoo, etc.) and have the newsletters, etc. sent there.
Postage:
I can't say this enough, always ask what the postage will be for the item. Even within Australia, this can vary. This becomes even more so when looking overseas. For example, one Kiwi online store I go to offers a flat rate of $10 up to NZ$150 while a US online store I go to has a flat rate of US$20 if you spend US$150 and free if over US$300. Most sites will have shipping rates but if you can't find them easily, check out either "customer services" or FAQs. If all else fails, email and request the postage rate for what you are after.
Australia
Craft Depot:
Link - http://www.craftdepot.com.au/
Postage - Standard Australia Post rates
Rating - Thumbs Up
The Craft Depot was my first online purchase from an Australian company. I found them to be very quick and effecient with my order and everything arrived in a timely manner. Have a look at the website which is well set up. They have a nice range of fabrics. I suspect they don't have everything online they do in their store but certainly a big enough selection to find something you're after. The Craft Depot charge standard Australia Post rates. However, recently they had a special offer of no postage charge within Australia for a couple of weeks. You can see why I suggest you sign up for the online shop's newsletters.
Sewing Box
Link - http://www.sewingbox.com.au/
Postage - A little complicated in that rates are charged more along US lines. However, they do reimburse the difference between what the checkout charges and Australian rates.
Rating - Thumbs Up
The Sewing Box is one of my more recent finds. If you love precuts then this online store will appeal to you. On top of that this site has had some of the best prices for pre cuts I've seen in Australia. And yes there is more, probably one of the best sales of charm squares, jelly rolls and layer cakes I've seen to date even with postage, just about beat the price I would pay for the same items if purchased direct from the US. Yes again, found this out through their newsletter. Delivery was quick and via Australia Post. My only criticism is the postage calculation is catered towards overseas sales. As you'll see on the website, what happens is you pay the postage and the owner will reimburse the difference to you directly within the parcel you are sent. I can confirm that this is the case.
New Zealand
KiwiQuilts
Link - http://www.kiwiquilts.co.nz/
Postage - $10 up to NZ$150 and $20 NZ$151+
Rating - Thumbs Up
One of my favourite online stores is KiwiQuilts. It course has nothing to do with the fact that I'm a Kiwi....will maybe a little. Truthfully though I enjoy Mary's blog (sign up by clicking on the link above) and probably one of the few I make a point of reading regularly. Mary designs a lot of Kiwiana style quilts which I'm totally envious of. For me, I buy a lot of my Kiwiana fabric from Mary's store and I can't say enough on how great the service is. Everything has always arrived well packaged and quickly. Now I just need to bring some of my ideas to life...stay tuned as I've a number of Christmas presents to make this year with what I've bought so far. Mary also has some great sales so keep an eye out for what will come up next!
Hopefully, I've wetted your appetite. More to come!
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