Fabric Shop

I am not one to sew very often, but when I do the Fabric Shop in Ruston is the first place I think of. I live two hours away, and it has always been worth my drive! From the personal and friendly greeting when I enter the business, to the expert guidance to find the exact items that I will need for my project, the staff is awesome! Louise always appears excited to see me, and happy to help me with my” usually small «projects. I have never felt pushed toward the more expensive items there or anything near, in fact there have been times that they have shown me another fabric «like it» for less $! How can you not love that in a boutique shop. A few years back, I called to inquire about purchasing a machine. I expected them to tell me all about their great machines etc, etc. I was surprised and still to this day shake my head laughing at Louise’s response. First she asked a few questions about the frequency of my sewing beyond hemming, and what were the things that I needed this machine for etc. This lady then offered a few options of machines that she didn’t stock that were hundreds less than I was expecting, and even supplied the name of the stores to try. How can you not love that?!
I sure wish that they had been in business when I was at La Tech. It would have saved my clueless wondering around at other places when I needed to make things for some project at school or my apartment, and esp all those little «happy’s» that we were always getting our sorority sisters.
In fact, I am writing this review as I was starting a sewing project for my new house and immediately this place came to mind. And even better it’s the holidays, and decorated, and Ruston must be the most charming downtown in north Louisiana!
You would want to know that they do offer a nice selection of fabrics and accessories for a small place. It does not have that awful smell of cheap dye as some fabric stores do! I like that if I need a type of fabric, they can order it for me. For example, one Christmas we made those fur throws as gifts, and the Fabric Shop had a better selection than any of the Dallas shops that I looked at. When I needed another bear fur, we called Louise and she ordered it, and had it in in a timely manner!

Being new to the world of sewing I was excited to go to this store on our way through Ruston recently. To be fair, the first salesperson that helped us was nice enough. However the second lady was one of the most abrasive and rude people I have ever encountered at a retail store. Her only goal was to sell us a machine even though I already told them I had a new machine and that the ones there were out of my price range (we were mostly interested in the fabrics there). After pushing for several minutes and telling us why the machine we had purchased was inferior she left with the words «You get what you pay for and if the machine you have does not make sewing fun you will not stay with it most likely.» If paying $ 599 for a unit that was already marked half off is necessary to enjoy sewing, count me out. However, this has not been the impression I have deduced from many casual sewers out there. Additionally they only offer lessons to people who buy from them because they «don’t want people bringing in their cheap machines to work on».
In the end I would say this store is out of touch with the beginning sewer who is working with a limited budget and that their target market is an older crowd with large budgets and an interest in quilting and dated fashion projects. In a big city like Dallas, this niche market might need to be met, but in a small town you would think they would enjoy anyone coming in the door looking to spend even $ 10 on a yard of fabric.
Not that they care, but in the world of the internet and in an economy that makes every penny spent on hobbies more valuable stores like this need to wake up to what customers want and need. I would love to support a local store, but if this is any indication of what is out there, no way.