Wal-Mart Fabrics

[TooMuchFabric]

Flystitch, I wanted to let you know that the state of Oklahoma is not depressed but a few of the counties are. The county I live in is large in area (1278 sq mi) and has a population of 30,229. It is made up of a few small towns with the largest being the county seat (6,500 people) with 81% of the population rural. The county had 21.7% of the individuals living below the proverty level in 1999 compared to the state with 14.9% and the US with 12.4%. The internet is quite expensive unless you live in one of the towns that offers it with the cable service. The phone companies do not provide us with wide area service. If you call out of your prefix, it is long distance.

Now the good parts. It is pretty inexpensive to live here. The average house value in 2005 was $58,300 compared to the state average of $89,100. The crime rate is very low. I believe there has been one murder since 2003. We have beautiful weather about 9 months out of the year, the other 3 are plagued with ice, snow, rain, sleet, tornadoes, and really hot or really cold days. The folks are friendly and the countryside is wonderful.

We live on a farm with a few cattle. We have driven long distances to work for several years. It has been worth the drive to live here and not in a city. We are looking forward to retirement and enjoying a peaceful life.

Folks are choosing to retire in Oklahoma from California, Oregon, and Washington state because it is so much less expensive to live here.

[sunsup]

Too Much Fabric, I live in the poorest county on Tn. When I read your post I had to check your location cuz I thought it was here. We also have a Manonite community. The area is beautiful and the people are friendly and helpful and it's quiet (except durning hunting season). LOL

[maryq]

Because Walmart is SO huge, that's part of the reason they can get fabric cheaper than LQSs. AND Walmart does not deal with wholesalers in general. Because they are so huge, the can go right to Manufacturers directly, avoiding the mark-ups through a "middleman" and also because they are so huge, they can tell the Manuf. what they are willing to pay for an item.... being it toothpaste or fabric. They have a LOT of clout!!!!

Years ago, when I owned a drug/gift store, one of our suppliers would order cases of toothpaste from Walmart.... because it was cheaper than we could get it through our regular wholesaler!! When Prilosec over the counter was in short supply, the only store that had it was Walmart because they told Proctor and Gamble that if they didn't get it... they would quit carrying ALL P & G products...Now that's CLOUT... that's the story I heard at the time anyway!!!

Sometimes I will go to one of the 4 Walmarts--each within 15 miles of me to get groceries and I'll always stop and look at the fabric. Sometimes I find just what I'm looking for... sometimes not and it depends what I'm making.... for tote bags I don't necessarily need to have the Best fabric, but if I want to make a special project I might go to the LQS. My guess is that about 80% of the fabric I have in my stash though is from QIAD.... it's GREAT fabric and Fabric Frenzy prices are awesome...


Just my 2 cents worth
marymargaret

[Flystitch]

TooMuchFabric - thanks for that info. The price of one of your houses is amazing to us. We couldn't even buy a garage for that where we live!!! We had thought about moving to the US as our DD lives in Ca but we would have a problem getting medical insurance as the OC (Old Chap !!) has cardiac problems - such is life, but at least we have the internet.

[fabricgirl]

Dear OK

I went to mine and the dept is getting smaller and smaller I am Luck because I have a JOanns and a fabric warehouse a new quilt shop but in some cases I find some stuff in walmart do any of you remember caldor they also had a nice fabric store years ago and they went out of business

[quilterbee]

I guess it all evens out. The higher the income, the more it costs to live. My Mom lives in Williamson Co., Tennessee's richest county- her home was $320,000 20 years ago. I live in Middle Tennessee, Rutherford Co., my house was $219,900 because it was a forclosure. If you drive just 45 min., you can buy for around $75,000. On the other hand, if the housing is cheaper, the good paying jobs are few. Where they are expensive, the jobs are plentiful.

Here, the BIG problem is growth. People are moving away to the boonies to get away from it. And, then the growth follows them. I think I'd rather live in a $58,000 house in a tiny town than fight this traffic everyday. But, a $58,000 here would not buy a 2-car detached garage.

Quilting is not popular here either. Small, poorer towns have the quilt shops. So, I go there unless I buy online(which is 99% off the time). People are too busy to be creative, working all the time, rushing around. Too busy to be bothered with a relaxing hobby, I guess. It's too bad.

Amie

[quiltingforfun]

Here in Grand Rapids MN. we will be having a supper store open up in March or April. As of now we will still have a fabric department.
One of the sales people told me it all depends on the squar inch and the amount of sales the department sells, rathe if the store keeps the fabric departemt.
I too have found that if I am careful about the choice of fabric I buy, and the quality of the fabric, than I can fine some nice fabric to use in a quilt. The Warm and Natural batting they sell, is cheeper than any place in town to buy!!
Guess, time will tell what will happen to the all the fabric departments with Wall Mart!!
Happy Quilting, Donna

[Flystitch]

Quilterbee, yes I know what you mean about folk being too busy.
"No time to smell the flowers" I believe the expression is. Having retired from the rat-race I am truly grateful to have survived to be able to smell the flowers!!

[dlscwbysfn]

Just to respond to the post about Wal-Mart -- yes, all the Wal-Marts are planning on discontinuing the fabric departments. They have been putting the word out for quite some time. I don't tend to use their fabrics in my quilts cuz they aren't really a great quality, so I won't really miss them; however, I know alot of charity groups who use them to make quilts for babies and seniors because of the price being so low. Thanks -- Mary L. Johnson, Fairfax, Virginia.

[needlequilt]

granted not all their fabric is top quality but they have a lot of cranston and others too. I have been a shopper at Joanns and Hancock Fabric too and not all their fabric is top notch either and a lot more expensive. I t is like many other products you must shop around and most of the time you get what you pay for.