Hi Friends! I owe you Quilt Market Recaps of Days 2 and 3, but haven't had a chance to sort through my photos. Do you mind if we have a bit of an intermission, where you let me pick your brain? (Sounds fun- eh?)
Is it the fabric selection? The kind staff? The super cool owner? The selection of embellishments? The location? The variety of classes offered? Do they offer longarm quilting services? Do they have a customer appreciation program? Many thanks!!! :)
Hi Candace, I enjoyed your market recap of sample spree and look forward to hearing the rest! I'm sad about fresh picked fabrics closing too, that was also my favorite LQS, I went there because of the friendly faces, the staff always knew me by name. I currently shop at a couple of "modern" quilt shops that are about 45 mins out of my way and online. If I'm opening my wallet it's either 1) to get a newly released line or 2) for a sale. I like a place where they have open sewing time I often like to go and finish my WIPs and socialize, and while I don't use long arm services I'd be interesting in a place where. I could rent time on one to finish my own quilts. So, are you thinking of opening a quilt shop?
ReplyDeleteOh my, you ask a lot of questions ;0
ReplyDeleteI love a great, helpful staff and to be greeted as you come in, interested in what I am working on. Fabric selection is huge!!! Pair contemporary with traditional, a difficult task I am sure! If you could, offering longarm quilting services would be a plus. Classes don't do much for me, but that is my personal opinion. I must say that I do like the punch card option at my local shop. If a shop is dynamite, I have been known to drive quite far. Oh and something else I think would be a plus, an online shop option.
Enjoy!!
I don't quilt but I LOVE our local fabric store. We have a warehouse near my college. They have all sorts of random stuff...every color of velvet (they have had lime green...I told you, every color), every color of jersey, lots of satin colors, and tables stacked with fabric. You have to guess what the fiber content is, unfortunately, but the fabric is cheap! Velvet is between 6-10 dollars a yard, many fabrics don't cost more than 6 dollars a yard, and, at least recently, they usually have a sale! When I've gone, they've had sales for Buy 2 yards/get a yard free and buy a yard/get a yard! Crazy! You never know what to expect to find but it's always so much fun!
ReplyDeleteFriendly staff and great fabrics. I love my LQS customer appreciation programs. It's a coupon a month, plus a coupon in the newsletter. I will drive about 30 minutes to go to a shop I love.
ReplyDeleteStaff who know me by name and take time to just talk with me. They know what I'm working on and are happy to see me, even if I just come in to "let down" at the end of a hard day (with no intention of buying anything). A great environment that is warm and inviting...one where I feel like I can just come in, sit down, and chat a while...work on a project if I like. (Sort of like Cheers, but for quilters.) Also, great selection of fabrics, patterns, samples, ideas.... And stuff going on that draws me into the shop all the time. Quilting groups, fun classes, guest teachers....
ReplyDeleteI hope this means you want to open your own store.
What made my LQS was not the fabrics or notions or people, it was the friends I made there plus the sharing of knowledge. Unfortunately, it has closed down and there is nothing local in the area...
ReplyDeleteI have a confession to make. I have NEVER been to a quilt shop. Really. So sad. But seeing the stuff in Julie's shop and knowing that it's so much better in real life makes me think that it would be VERY difficult to not have a huge amount of time (and/or money!) to spend :)
ReplyDeleteI loved bringing in items after they were done so we could all "ooh and aaah!" One really nice part was that I could attend a sew-in where we paid $10 to sew for 6 hours in the classroom area--I made more friends and connections that way than any other! A shop employee ran the sew-in by answering questions and helping us with anything problematic. Then when it came time to sign up for a class, I was first in line!
ReplyDeleteOur local quilt shop only opened a few months ago but when I first walked into it I was asked if I wanted a cup of tea and a biscuit while I was browsing. The owner was just super nice and helpful and helped me choose fabrics for my project.
ReplyDeleteFor me it was definitely the warm atmosphere that did it.
I've only been in one quilt shop ever and it recently closed, maybe because it didn't have any of what you just listed, so I'll say all of that would be amazing.
ReplyDeleteThe quilt shop of my dreams would be one that I own! Really, I've thought about a fabric/book/tea shop for a long time. I guess Strawberry Patches is my standard for a fantastic quilt shop....staff that is knowledgeable and helpful, an enthusiastic owner with a great eye for fabrics, a bright airy shop, and lots of fabric eye candy!
ReplyDeletehello, cutie!
ReplyDeletei do not sew well and of course cannot quilt. BUT.
i use fabric for no sew projects always.
there is a magical quilt shop a few blocks from my house. i adore it. the staff is super kind and helpful, i know i probably ask dumb things;) their fabric selection is ridiculous wonderful! they have great sales and offer a variety of classes-hoping to take one.soon!
i love it, quilter's eden brings me lots of joy!
LQS - I'm bound to meet someone I know there, the fabrics are great, little cafe, a book room, customer gallery, ... the only drawback is prices are so high and never any "deals". The ambience is wonderful.
ReplyDelete