Here at FabTalk, we love fabric—and we also love shopping independents for our fabric, patterns, books, notions and tools. On a daily basis, FabTalk will highlight projects, fabric collections, patterns and more that will get you excited about quilting, sewing, and creating with fabric! We love hearing from our readers about what you like, what you’d like to see more or less of and what you’re thinking about trends and topics in the quilting and sewing world, so drop us a line or leave a comment—and make sure to friend us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter and join the FabTalk Flickr Group.
After you’ve had your fill of checking out the gorgeous fabrics, quilts and patterns here on FabTalk, head on over to our sister sites, which have even more for the fabric lover!
FabTalk is maintained by The Fabric Shop Network—the trade association for independent fabric retailers. FabShop has been working to support independent fabric retailers since 1997. Now with thousands of members from around the globe—in storefronts and online—we are committed to continuing to help them grow and thrive. We publish the FabShop News—the resource for independent quilt and fabric retailers—six times a year, as well as also developing programs and running business education courses for independent quilt shop and fabric store owners, and even aspiring shopowners! FabShop is deeply committed to independents, so we launch new programs, services, and resources on an ongoing basis to help independent shops compete and thrive.
Check out the FabShop Hop (now entering its 10th year), a virtual shop hop in which shoppers can win great prizes, such as 50 yards of fabric or a Perfect Caddy. The Hops also give shoppers the chance to learn about new online shops and find different fabrics, patterns, and tools. Warning: Hopping is extremely addictive!
The Fabric Shop Network launched Project 95: Fabric Shoppers Unite—Shop Independents earlier this year to inspire fabric shoppers to shop independents first. The quality, service, and selection at independent quilt shops and fabric stores is unmatched by the chains. We’re making it easier for shoppers to find independents by developing a comprehensive database of independent fabric retailers. You can check out the U.S. version of the database right here. (An international version is in the works.) Please visit the website and help spread the word about shopping independent fabric retailers. On the site, you can download resources to share with your quilting and sewing friends—and be sure to visit the Project 95 sponsors sites as well!
Ever search all over town and on the web for a specific fabric? Us too. That’s why The Fabric Shop Network created FabSearch, a free, easy-to-use tool that searches independent quilt and fabric shops inventories for the fabric you need. If you still can’t find it, try the advanced search, which connects you directly with shops that may have just what you’re looking for. Try out FabSearch here. If you see a fabric here on FabTalk that you just have to have, never fear–you’ll see a link to FabSearch at the bottom of each FabTalk post, too.)
