FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
These are the questions we hear most often. Click on a question to see the answer. Or click on the OPEN ALL button to see all the questions and answers at the same time. If you have a question not listed below,
please click on the Contact Us tab above and send it to us. Thanks, Melinda.
- How much is shipping?
- Any U.S. order over $99.00 ships free. For orders of less than $15.00, it's $3.50. For orders between $15.00 and $35.00, it's $4.95. For orders between $35.00 and $50.00, it's $7.95. For orders between $50.00 and $65.00, it's $9.95. For orders between $65.00 and $80.00, it's $10.95. For orders between $80.00 and $99.00, it's $11.95. Shipments to Canada add $8.00 to those rates, except orders over $99 cost $20.95.
- What shipper do you use?
- We usually ship via the United States Postal Service. On occasion, we use UPS and FedEx Ground.
- How quickly do you ship?
- We usually ship on the next business day, though if an order comes through early enough, we sometimes ship the same business day. We always send an email when we ship.
- Do you charge sales tax?
- Only for shipments to Tennessee.
- What payment methods do you accept?
- We accept MasterCard, VISA, Discover, and PayPal. We do not accept eChecks through PayPal.
- Can I pick up my order?
- Yes. If you are in zip codes 370--, 371-- or 372--, you may select "Pickup in Rivergate/Hendersonville TN area" to avoid shipping costs. When that appears on your completed order, we call you to set up a mutually agreeable time and place to pick up your order.
- I'm not comfortable entering my credit card number online. Can I call in my order?
- Phone orders are not a routine part of our business because we do not have staff dedicated to that task. But we are happy to accept phone orders at (615) 482-6387. Please understand that we usually monitor this phone line only between 9 AM and 5 PM CST, and that there are occasions even during those hours when we are unable to answer. In that situation, if you leave a message we will return your call as soon as possible.
- I put a yard and a half in my cart. Will it come in one piece?
- Yes. Our shopping cart places two part numbers in your cart -- one for a full yard and one for a half yard. It does that in order to accurately maintain our inventories. But when we fill the order, we include the yard and a half in one continuous cut.
- Do you have the stock that shows on your website?
- Yes, 98% of the time. We do encounter breaks or shortages on a bolt from time to time, but 98% of the time we can fill your order. If we do encounter a shortage, we contact you before we fill your order to advise you of the issue.
- Do you have a newsletter?
- Yes. When you place an order you can opt in or out of our email list. We promise not to bury you in emails. We usually send an email update once a month. You can see new products, sales, a class schedule and more by clicking on the Melinda's Newsletter link on the HOME page.
- How much fabric is shown in your product photos?
- The area shown in our fabric product photos is roughly 6 1/2 inches wide by 5 inches high. There are exceptions (e.g., panels, or particularly large designs), but not many. If you're concerned about a particular photo, please contact us and we'll give you a precise answer.
- Do you have a catalog?
- No, all of our items are shown on the web site. We can special order many items, however. If there's something related to sewing that you don't see on the site, click on the Contact Us tab and send us a note. We'll respond promptly with a price and approximate delivery date.
- Do you offer fabric swatches?
- Not at this time. Many of the fabrics we stock are made only for a limited time. By the time a swatch arrives, we may no longer have that particular fabric in stock.
- Do you ship outside the United States and Canada?
- Yes, but you cannot place your order online through our website. Email us the product numbers and quantities you wish to order, and we will send you a PayPal invoice for those items. Shipping charges are added based on USPS International rates.
- How big is a Fat Quarter?
- A Fat Quarter is a quarter yard of fabric measuring 18" by 22".
- How many squares can I get from a Fat Quarter?
- You should be able to get the following from a Fat Quarter: 99 2" squares, or 42 3" squares, or 20 4" squares, or 12 5" squares, or 9 6" squares.
- Has your fabric been washed?
- No, all of our fabric is unwashed.
- Do you recommend washing fabric before I use it?
- That depends. If you're going to make a handbag or a wall hanging that unlikely to ever be washed, maybe not. But if you're making a quilt, you should. Pre-washing prevents uneven shrinkage or color transfer when a quilt is laundered.
- How should I launder my fabrics?
- You can find many opinions on the subject, but here's our approach. Unfold fabrics before laundering. Wash light-colored items in lukewarm water with a phosphate-free detergent. Soak dark-colored fabric for an hour in cold water to set the colors, then wash in cold water with a phosphate-free detergent. Tumble fabrics until they're almost dry, then remove them from the dryer and press. We always wash our quilts in cold water.
- Do you have a physical store?
- No, Melinda's Fabric Shop exists only in cyberspace. Maybe someday, but not now.
- What is your Return Policy?
- Read our entire Return Policy by clicking on our Policies tab. In general, we accept returns within a limited time frame, with prior approval, on products other than CDs or DVDs.
- What is your Privacy Policy?
- Read our entire Privacy Policy by clicking on our Policies tab. In general, we don't share any of your personal information with any third parties.
- How do I check the status of my order?
- That probably won't be necessary, given how promptly we ship orders. However, should you need any information about your order, please click on the Contact Us tab and send us an inquiry. We'll reply promptly.