Canadian online fabric stores

[RiverMomm]

Living in Canada can be a challenge at times when it comes to ordering fabric, etc. online. We all know how much we love MSQC, but shipping can be expensive for us in CanadaLand (and rightly so, NO business should lose money on shipping . . . even if it would be wonderful for us up here).

I found this list of Canadian online merchants. Not sure if any are good, but at least it's a starting point. But be sure to check the shipping costs because sometimes Canadian companies charge a lot for shipping because the postal rates are much higher here than in the States. Guess the biggest benefit is the package not be caught up in the long line in customs.

The Big List of Online Canadian Fabric, Pattern and Notion Stores - The Finished Garment

If you live near the US border, a lot of towns have package receiving companies. You can order from MSQC and have it shipped to the receiving company. They will hold it for a small charge and you can drive down to pick it up. I am planning a little shopping trip just for that. Checking the DD every day to pick the one I like the most. It's like waiting for Christmas.

[Racing Nana]

Re: Canadian online fabric stores

Hey Vicky, thanks for the link.

Living on the west coast, I run into the same problem with the shipping. (Annies charged me $17 shipping for a $7 pattern and you can't see the shipping charges until it's too late)

I have ordered a lot of fabric from the states and I've not paid duty/taxes on 100% cotton materials. One big order I had to pay $36 brokerage fees but that was it.

Some companies have really really good Canadian shipping rates. You just have to be careful.

I do love the idea of shopping local and will check out this list later today.

[RiverMomm]

Re: Canadian online fabric stores

The brokerage fees just kill me. I don't mind the 5% tax. But the brokerage fees-ggrrr. Don't even get me going about UPS.

Which companies did your order from where you didn't have to pay the duty/taxes? I know 5% isn't much, but that's just more money to spend on fabric.

I like that Connecting Threads ships to Canada (they truck it over and ship by Canada Post) Too bad MSQC is so far south and not an option for them LOL Maybe that is good because I think I would be buying fabric on a daily basis if I lived in the States. I watch for MSQC DD every day.

[Meghan Plamondon]

Re: Canadian online fabric stores

I just saw your post with the great list for Canadian companies, thank you so much. I wanted to let you know about a store in your area, in Montreal , I found recently. Effiloche, on St Hubert street, really worth a trip. They dont do online sales,and seem like a small store, but after you get inside you will see all of the beautiful material they have. I found lots of great Moda fabrics. My Go-To store when I take a trip to Montreal now.

[RiverMomm]

Re: Canadian online fabric stores

ohhhhhhhhh ty ty ty. When I first started quilting about 2 years ago, I noticed that all the local quilt shops (west island) had closed recently (they really should have held on since I am sure I would have kept one or two in business with my fabric addiction).

I will make a trip to Effiloche within the month . . . cause the weather will hopefully be good and the road construction hasn't started (I tend to get lost when they start all the construction that always follows winter in Montreal).