stitchinwitch

Does anyone know exactly WHY fabric prices are going up? How many of you plan to "cut back" or will you still continue to buy? And I'm referring to buying at your LQS, NOT yard sales, discount businesses, etc. Luckily I have so much stash (hopefully in the right colors) that I won't need to buy anymore.

Favorite Fabrics

The fabric manufacturers have been inching up their prices over the last several years, 10 - 25 cents / yard increases, usually one price increase per year. It adds up.

Several factors have played into this. For a time, the US dollar was weak, and since nearly all of the fabric is produced overseas, this caused the price to go up.

When the cost of oil was up, then that meant that transportation costs were higher, and the fabric travels from the far east to west coast ports and then by truck to distributors, then by truck again to your LQS.

The latest word is that the mills overseas that produce the greige goods (unprinted cloth) have been significantly raised their prices... and I think that is what is driving the most recent round of price increases.

fabric-holic

Yes I'd like to know too.

BTW I went to Hobby Lobby yesterday and all their calico is 30% off so I bought 12 yds!!

Kathy N

Manufacturing costs of all products are up. You will see as the US climbs out of its recession many prices escalating.

CarrieAnne

I dont really plan to cut back to much, because I really dont buy alot at the LQS. I have a great stash, and I try to go get a few fat quarters of their 30's prints when I can afford it, because I love them, but I do buy discount places. BUT, even JoAnns, Ben Franklin, ect are getting very expensive!

katsewnsew

I also have a fairly good sized stash, so possibly I could shop my own store! When I do go to LQS, I usually hit the "sale" stuff first, then check out the new arrivals. But purchasing will be less this time around, prices are just too high for me. Of course, if I ABSOLUTELY HAVE TO HAVE IT, I might have to get less of it now.

sewcrafty

I'm going only to buy exactly what I need and then use coupons to do that!!! I have a lot of material, batting, and most of the tools that I need already. I have more than enough projects to keep me busy until next year and maybe plus some.

If supply and demand goes into effect, i.e. people not purchasing enough of the product, than the prices will go back down.

Frugal in NH!!!! :thumbup:

ghostrider

Other than the normal creeping price hikes that are just part of living in the world these days, I have seen absolutely no indication of any sudden jump in fabric prices locally or online. The only place I have seen any mention of it is here on the board and most of that, except for chain stores where I do not shop, has been purely speculation.

None of the shop owners I have spoken with are planning to raise their prices unless they have to. They are finding other ways to increase their revenue to meet the higher costs of doing business (more classes, more pre-cuts, more events, expanding to online sales, etc). They are well aware that they cannot price themselves out of the market. Customer loyalty works both ways at all of my local shops.

I suspect that if people stop buying enough of the product in person then the shops will close their brick and morter outlet and move online as Sunshine Carousel in Grantham and the shop in Boscawen did.

amma

Thank you for the explanation :D:D:D

dkabasketlady

I have a huge stash and not enough time to make all the quilts on my to do list. I don't buy a lot of fabric anymore unless it's on sale or something I just have to have,lol!!