That sound you can hear? Quilters and sewists and fabric lovers around the world weeping at the sudden, drastic increase of USPS prices for international shipping from America! Canadian flat rate shipping is now $20 and international is $23.95. Sure I have access to fantastic Japanese fabrics locally, but I still need my American fabric fixes! And unfortunately, I don’t have any local quilt store that sells them in any decent quantities other than random, lucky finds. I have been gathering various postage price news, and here’s what I’ve found so far:
Fat Quarter Shop is now offering First Class shipping for orders of $20 or less. It’s a slightly slower method of shipping, but is only $7 and $11 Canada/international. Meaning that you can grab 2 charm packs or a few yards of sale fabric for a quilt backing.
Westwood Acres is offering $17.95 and $20.95 flat rate shipping for Canada/international – that’s a discount of $2 and $3 respectively.
Sew Lux Fabrics is trialling a tiered level of shipping via First Class shipping starting at $8.75 and $12.25 Canada/international for 1 yard, up to 3.5-4 yards of fabric for $16.50 and $22.50 Canada/international. You can see it all here.
Pink Castle Fabrics also has tiered shipping rates for First Class shipping starting at just $2 and $3.50 for a half yard of fabric. Full list here.
Lola Pink Fabrics has 1/4 yard for $3 and $6 or 0.5-2 yards for $8 and $12 before hitting the flat rate envelope.
Stash Fabrics is still offering $5 off postage on orders over $50.
Lots of Etsy stores still continue to offer cheaper postage as it’s easier to control postage prices per listing. Don’t forget to contact the store owner to check that you’re getting the best postage price on multiple listing purchases!
I would like to send a huge thanks to these stores for being flexible and generous. I understand how hard it must be for them, and I really appreciate their amazing customer service! And leave links and tips in the comments of any other stores that you know are enabling helping us to keep buying fabric and I’ll update as I hear of other stores!
Books_Bound says
“What’s The Dealio With American Postage?”
The USPS is bankrupt, or nearly so. Sorry they’re taking it out on you guys though. 🙁
Flying Blind... says
The whole US postage pricing seems completely bonkers to outsiders!! Why can’t they just work on weight like the rest of the world?? And whoever thought of the flat rate envelope should be fired!
Books_Bound says
Hey, if you ever need to mail bricks, flat rate is really nice. 😉
Tanya says
Christa Quilts offers a flat rate of $10 on international orders
Molli Sparkles says
I think my Grandma in the US is going to have to start hoarding even more fabric for me now!
Bouts Choisis says
Fabric Shack are still offering a flat rate envelope (9 yards standard fabric)at $8.50 for overseas customers but I think that I am indeed going to be weeping at some of the increases from other sellers – not that it’s their fault.
Even worse are those that use Fed Ex because not only do you pay them to deliver but(in France anyway) they want 10 euros each time to collect the customs duty… no objection to paying the duty (the law is the law) but a 10 euro admin charge is very steep. So I avoid buying from anyone who uses their services.
Happy Cottage Quilter says
The Hawthorne Threads Newsletter posted this –
Rising US Postal Service Rates
As many of you may already know, the USPS has had to increase their postage rates, effective this weekend. However, despite these increases we are looking to maintain our current Shipping Rates for our Domestic customers! What’s more, we are looking to maintain our current shipping rates on USPS Flat Rate Boxes for our International customers! The only increase you will see for International Rates will be on First Class Mail and the Flat Rate Envelopes. While these increases will be a great deal for us to absorb, we will give it a try for at least a trial period. Thank you for your understanding and support.
Here is their website
http://www.hawthornethreads.com/
Patchwork and Play says
I’ve almost decided that I won’t be buying any new fabric this year; however the links to some of the lesser known dealers is very useful! Thank you! I will also be using my stash to make more complicated designs- no more quick quilts for me, unless they are purely stash/scrap ones!
MsMidge says
Love your work!
Amy Rea says
Thanks for the list Alyce! I went to order from FQS last night, and nearly cried at the postage rates. I tend to do largish orders since I have NO fabric or crafts stores within 5 hours of me.
Deborah says
Sew fine fabric on etsy does $8 postage to Australia 🙂
Alyce Rodriguez says
As an American citizen, I just want to say that I’m so ashamed for what our postal service has done with this dramatic price increase. I stand in solidarity with all my Canadian and international quilting sisters.
Fran says
Christa Quilts is no longer offering flat $10 shipping on international orders, sadly – the postage increases seem to be hitting pretty much everyone. Bad news indeed for us international peeps.
Sarah says
It’s sad for us internationals, yes. They must be trying to keep up with Australia Post. I reckon we’ve got the most exhorbitant prices for international postage here down under!
Annabella says
Thanks for the round up – I’m gutted too as I buy almost all my fabric from the States 🙁
Jeneta says
http://Www.wintercreekcloth.com will ship up to 10 yd internationally for $23.95. I think it’s fantastic that Fabric Shack and Christa Quilts are offering such reasonable international shipping costs! Might have to ‘take one for the team’ and put in an order with each to show them some support so the rates stay!!
Trish Dunlap says
One of the easiest ways to ship is by using Home Direct USA. I have been using them for a few years now and they always provide a great service. I have read a good amount of Home Direct complaints, but I think they are from disgruntled employees or competitors.
Steve says
One World Fabrics offers free domestic shipping on all orders over $75. http://www.oneworldfabrics.com