Quilting Magazines

Then that's why it's so costly. What a bummer. >:^(

Sally, I don't know if this is the same one F&P recommend, but I've been using one made by Bohin, and it's fantastic. Mine came with white leads, but I also bought refills in green, and I think grey is available. I love it!

Steph, I get only two quilt magazines these days, though I've tried most of them at one time or another. My favorite is Quilters Newsletter; I find that it has a good mix of eye candy and information, as well as patterns. The patterns range from easy to tricky, so there's usually something for everyone at one time or another.

I also get American Quilter, which comes as part of my membership in AQS. This is a beautiful magazine, mostly eye candy but also containing articles on techniques by many renowned quilters. Very nice. :)

Thanks - I've looked but haven't found any that look like the F&P one.

Will look for Bohin now.

Sally at the Seaside ~~~~~~~~~~ (uk)

Some, eg Makower is actually made here.

Sally at the Seaside ~~~~~~~~~~ (uk)

I think the generally lower affluence and less interest in fabric crafts makes for higher prices. I live in a similar sized town in the US as I did in the UK, here, we have a medium sized LQS a local mini chain and a JoAnns, back in the UK there was one shop that sold quilting fabric, but the range was very minimal, plus a fabric section in a department store, that I don't think carried any quilting quality cotton. Bulk influences price quite a lot.

One interesting thing though is that here FQs are more expensive than off the bolt, whereas every place I bought FQs in the UK had them cheaper than on the bolt, I think because they only cut them from bolt ends, rather than cutting a few to sell alongside the fabric range.

Cheers Anne

VAT is 17.5% and is included in the price quoted, but it only accounts for a small fraction of the difference.

Anne

Interesting. Thanks for the information.

I am becoming a fan of Fons & Porter rather belatedly. I've seen their products around but they seemed a little pricey so I'd shied away from them until recently Hobby Lobby had put their entire line on clearance for some reason. The few things I bought so far are outstanding quality products. The two products I guess I was impressed most with were the seam ripper and the glass head quilting pins. I'd searched forever for a perfect quilting pin, not too long, not too short, one that would glide through the fabric like butter. These are so perfect I went back and bought another box for a quilty friend. I just mentioned in another post tonight about looking for the perfect marking tool. I'm definitely going to try this ceramic marker. Thanks, Polly!

Sherry

Speaking of pins...safety pins to be exact...does anyone know which ones are the sharpest? I have a box of brass ones but cannot find them anymore and they are so sharp ! I'm not a fan of Dritz products but that 's all Joann's seems to carry. I'm not sure about the LQS's stores brands and hate to buy a bag of a 100 pins just to find out. I'd love to find some made by Clover...If they do make them , that is.

Mary

Snipped: " I was impressed most with were the seam ripper and the glass head quilting pins. I'd searched forever for a perfect quilting pin, not too long, not too short, one that would glide through the fabric like butter. These are so perfect I went back and bought another box for a quilty friend. Thanks, Polly!

The issue for me is not Customs. If we had no source within the country I would be quite happy to pay Customs fees. But, we can get plenty over here, of wonderful quality and I'm quite happy with that. . In message , Anne Rogers writes

I used to subscribe to a lot of mags., now I only take Fons & Porter (love the tips), QNN (comes with membership), and Quilter's Home (love Mark Lapinsky's articles, not a lot of pattersns), spellings may be off 'cause I can't spell very well.

Bonnie, in Middletown, VA

Bad memories never fade. I am hoping the problem with F & P have been solved but some years ago when they first started publishing I paid for a year subscription...to make a long story short I never got even ONE magazine or my money refunded. I swear by Better Homes & Gardens' American Patchwork & Quilting. Not only their magazines but their lovely calendar which arrived each year without being prompted.

This has nothing to do with the fact that back in the forties I was their branch Officer Auditor,&cost accountant in Des Moines. IA. They werent putting out the quilt magazines then only BH&G Magazine and the Farm Journal. Back then the cooks in the test kitchen let the Business Office taste test the recipes. WOW! Those were the days!!!

Rhoda