Curious about threads

[MaggieM1750]

I buy standard DMC at JoAnn's usually. Without coupon or sale, I think they are $0.39 a skein. When I buy them at my stitchy store, I think they are $0.45-0.50.

Just bought some Weeks Dye Works floss for $2 a skein. Dinky Dyes were $3. Silks can be anywhere between $4 -6.50 depending on the brand.

[talenaya]

I get most of my floss (DMC solids) at JoAnns and Michael's down in Jacksonville, FL so I'm usually paying 35 to 37 cents unless there's a sale. In the pass when I've needed a color immediately and didn't have it I'd have to go to the embroidery store and pay 64 cents.
On different threads on the forum the cost of floss usually gets mention. I was curious after reading that DMC is raising their cost about what everyone tends to pay.

[Trylla]

Up where I am in Ontario, Canada, I get DMC at Michael's for 49 cents each unless I happen to have a % off entire purchase coupon. If Michael's doesn't have what I need, then I pick it up at my LNS for 75 cents per skein.

It sounds a little expensive, but since I only seem to use DMC for my HAEDs and instead use over-dyed threads and silks for my other projects, which run $2.55 - $3.50 per skein, well, it's not so bad.

[Mabel Figworthy]

Silks and speciality threads are generally so expensive here (UK) that for some brands it is actually cheaper to buy them from America or Australia

[kell]

Yup, locally, I can only buy Anchor and DMC - they retail at about 85p-90p per skein. There are no speciality threads or silks available local to me (you can't even get Madeira or Venus, which aren't speciality at all!). This is why I get almost all my stash online where the threads still average 60-70p per skein, but when you're buying a few, that 25p-30p difference is huge! I did find one online place based in the UK with cheaper pricesfor threads they're currently retailing at 37p per skein, but they don't always have all the colours in stock, so you sometimes have to wait a little while to get them.

[zoe marie]

Yup, locally, I can only buy Anchor and DMC - they retail at about 85p-90p per skein. There are no speciality threads or silks available local to me (you can't even get Madeira or Venus, which aren't speciality at all!). This is why I get almost all my stash online where the threads still average 60-70p per skein, but when you're buying a few, that 25p-30p difference is huge! I did find one online place based in the UK with cheaper pricesfor threads they're currently retailing at 37p per skein, but they don't always have all the colours in stock, so you sometimes have to wait a little while to get them.

Which online shop as I may need to find some colours at those prices? he he he

[ladymyste]

I buy my DMC glosses at Joannns but lately I don't enjoy them. I've started using the Carries Threads Silks and love them. I buy them from Stitching Bits and Bobs at $2 each but they are great to work with.

[coffee_freak]

the only place near me are michaels and acmoore craft stores..usually the DMC are 39 cents a skien..don't buy anything else...sometimes they go on sale for 26 cents..but with the price increase coming i'm not sure what they will be...

[helbel]

A little comparison for you all,

I just checked Sew and So and they sell Anchor at 62p and DMC at 65p. So lets say if you bought at a store you'd pay 70p per skein. I'm probably being optimistic there!

At today's currency rates:

£0.70 = $1.10 USD = 0.83 EUR = 1.12 AUD

(all conversions GBP into other currency)

I'm beginning to think of stocking up on threads when I visit the US in a few months!

[Nachstenliebe]

Wow I can't believe how expensive it can be over the pond! I think it evens though... I may get floss cheaper.. but I have to pay quite a bit if I want to purchase one of the imported magazines I usually get my floss for .36 at AC Moore.. Sometimes Michaels for the same the price if I'm going to the bookstore afterwards (usually for cross stitch magazines )
Faith

[kell]

I did find one online place based in the UK with cheaper pricesfor threads they're currently retailing at 37p per skein, but they don't always have all the colours in stock, so you sometimes have to wait a little while to get them.

Which online shop as I may need to find some colours at those prices? he he he

Have a look HERE.

[kell]

...I usually get my floss for .36 at AC Moore.. Sometimes Michaels for the same the price if I'm going to the bookstore afterwards (usually for cross stitch magazines )
Faith

I only wish we could get those prices over here - that works out at, like, 22p-23p per skein. We currently pay 3-4 times that in shops over here!

This is why so many LNSs are going out of business - people can't afford the prices when they're stitching a large project with many colours, such as a HAED, so they're forced to buy online for the cheapest price they can find and pad the order out with fabric etc to make it all worth their while, meaning there's nothing left to buy in the LNS. There's also usually far more choice in threads and fabrics online. I'm terribly disappointed with our local Hobbycraft, as there's only a very small needlework section with only Anchor and DMC threads, and limited fabrics (only the basics in very few colours).

It's sad, because one day in the not too distant future, there won't be any LNSs left as a result!

[Slinky]

At today's currency rates:

£0.70 = $1.10 USD = 0.83 EUR = 1.12 AUD

(all conversions GBP into other currency)

I'm beginning to think of stocking up on threads when I visit the US in a few months!

I believe we have the wonderful EU to thank for this price discrepancy. I am sure I read it on this forum something to do with some dyes being banned in the EU and more expensive alternatives have to be used.

By all means do stock up overseas (Asian countries are also bargain basement for DMC/Anchor) but be wary of mixing same colour skeins from different continents as the actual colour might differ slightly. I have Anchor skeins from Asia and the colours differ by a fair amount against the same skein number from the EU.

[XandraS]

My DMC solids were all bought in Abu Dhabi for 2 Dirham a skein (that's about 34p), I need to get some more for future projects, but luckily I have friends there who will buy them for me and send them over. I can get both anchor and dmc in Liverpool but the prices are ridiculous

[~threadbear~]

Lacemaker was a stash fairy for me and it worked out alot cheaper than buying here in the UK. I also use ebay. Sadly buying at the local needle shops work out too expensive.

[Squirrel]

Here in Aus we pay around $A1.30 - $A1.45 per skein for DMC. I usually only buy when they are on special.

At present the Aussie dollar is almost on parity with the US, at about 99c last night, so it is a huge difference for us to buy locally. Very tempted to buy online from the US next time I do a restock.

Sally

[Mystonique]

Given the price discrepencies and the fact that someone else mentioned the US threads being wound differently resulting in easier stitching I will definitely be placing a significant order from the US while the exchange rate is good.

And it's spot on that's why our local sewing supplies are going out of business - they don't stock the range, they charge too much and they've got bupkiss product knowledge.

[~threadbear~]

Some of our lovely members did the 'floss fairy' thing for a few of us awhile back and when there was a good sale on, they took orders and we got threads at a great price. I think the exchange rate was really good at that time and that was what made it such a good deal.

[Parksfarm]

I'd be willing to buy floss and send it overseas for folks. It was $.37 or $.39 at our local fabric stores last time I was there which was last week... Not sure how much shipping will be but I can look into it if anyone is interested. I suppose it will depend on how much you want...

[Genevieve]

Have a look HERE.[/quote]

Wow, I wish I'd found this shop earlier - I've bookmarked it, thank you, Kell. I've just bought some threads from The Happy Cross Stitcher at 61p each. However, the postage is free, which is good. I can't find the postage costs on the Across Town Stitching site - do you know what they are, please?

eta - Just had a browse and found that the postage is £1.50. I would have saved about £3.