These photos are just random shots of Quilt Market on Sunday. Sunday is relatively quiet, and if we had know this, we would have waited to do most of our ordering on Sunday. Friday and Saturday are a crushing madhouse, but then I'm not too keen on crowds. Friday we walk the show with our show catalog in hand, checking the booths we want to come back to on Saturday or Sunday. It did seem to me that there were more exhibitors last fall in Houston. All I know for sure is that by the time you've walked through all the exhibits on Friday you think your legs and feet are going to fall off. Or swell up and become giant watermelons. We were dreaming and wishing for a massage person to show up!
It was obvious that buyers had a million different ways to shop market. We just had a general list of things we needed or wanted, and then a list of things we hoped we'd find at Market, and then we ended up ordering fabrics that just knocked us out. More on this in another post.
Coming home from Quilt Market is quite the experience. First you attempt to sleep straight through for about 24 hours, or as long as your household will let you. Then you try to remember all the things you did order, then you fall to your knees and thank God that you did not order all the things you saw that you loved and really, really wanted. Wanted in a bad way! Then you slap yourself around a bit and get real about just how much money you do have in your budget for new purchases. Where is the trust fund when you need it? Is this too much to ask?
Moda and Indygo Junction had the most amazing booths - those folks have the display thing worked out! The imagination and creativity that went into the display of most vendors' booths was WOW! We took notes and photos, but you know how that goes. You look through everything later when you're home and you'd think you'd been on a bender while you were taking the notes and photos because that's about how much sense it makes!
- Now for the FREE STUFF! Here are two new patterns, and two precut quilt blocks that will be given to four lucky quilters!
Next we have a set of 40 charm blocks of batiks with six pre-fused appliques. We bought an Accucut Studio and a mess of dies - what a difference accurate cutting makes in assembling a quilt. And I have to tell you, our customers LOVE the pre-fused appliques.
The next gift is this 4 pack of Kona Bay oriental fat quarters. This collection just came in, and we are all weak knees over it. Wonderful details, and the metallic gold! Gotta love it. We should have the fabric posted on our web site http://www.yellowbirdart.com/ in the next couple of weeks. We have a fabulous high school gal, Christina, who scans all our fabrics. Normally we only get her three or four hours a week, so sometimes there's a bit of delay before fabrics get posted to the web, but hooray, school is almost out and she'll be able to work more often!
The next two goodies are a four pack of Prints Charming's amazing poplin fat quarters with that incredible citron color. Which, by the way is one of the colors, along with grey, for the year - learned that in a class at Market! Next is a lovely handcrafted bar of the most wonderful soap you'll ever use. A friend of the Bird makes these hand moulded bars of soap that have just the loveliest scents and they lather up so beautifully. Your skin feels so smooth after using these soaps.
The last two gifts are my designs. The first is a "To Market, to Market" tote bag kit. The kit includes my pattern, the fabric and webbing to make the tote. I really try to design bags that are really functional. This tote can take a lot of use and you can machine launder it.
The last freebie is a copy of my newest pattern, the "Gotta Fly" handbag. I designed this bag for a bus shop hop we participated in a month ago. So far, the reports back have been good. The bag has a great exterior pocket, two generous interior pockets, and my favorite, a strap with a slider so you can use the bag as a handbag, or let the strap out to wear the bag.
- So if I counted correctly, there are 10, yes 10! give aways! Here's how to get in on the fun. Send us a comment telling us what a great quilt shop should be like. Then since there are 10 prizes, I'd like to ask you to send a link for the blog to 10 of your quilting/sewing friends. We're working on building the traffic to our blog and website, and you are the key to this!
Since this is a holiday weekend, I won't draw the 10 winners until Monday, May 25 at 7pm, central time. - Congratulations to Jeanne for winning the drawing for the Lecien fabrics! We were in the mood for a bit more fun, so we also drew Carmi's name for a pack of the Lecien fabrics as well. We're girls who know what good clean fabric fun is all about!
Winners should e-mail me your mailing addys at angela@YellowBirdArt.com
Have a great weekend!
Angela
102 comments:
I am th first to post, my favourite sewing notion currently is the very fine pair of surgical scissors that someone gave me last yearas a secret santa suprise gift. These little scissors have such a fine point and are nothing like I have had before and i have been stiching for more than 20 years. They handle all threads and fine material up to reasonabley heavy material. Thanks to ever gave them to me. Please put me in the draw
My seam ripper, because I make so many mistakes. :o)
Angela, are you sure you got your e-mail addy right?
my e-mail at work is angela@yellowbirdart.com, but you can also e-mail me at home, which is alblair@sgwb.coop
Either or both is fine!
Angela
Sorry I cannot give you the name of the scissors as there is no brand name on them and they came wrapped in tissue and wrapping paper. The music on my blog is down on the bottom left and I think you can down load a link from there and assemble your own music list. Good Luck with blogging
A great quilt shop should be a home away from home. You feel comfortable with the staff, the surroundings are pleasing and uplifting and there is a little bit of you somewhere there.
hacti = a group of cacti with a hacking cough
A great quilt shop will carry all the quilting essentials (solids, needles, trims, patterns) in addition to a few of the latest & greatest lines of fabric. But most importantly, a great quilt shop has employees who are also quilt lovers, willing to offer opinions and help, but not pressure. The quilt shop needs to have enough classes, presentation, and BOM's to keep all quilters coming to the shop regularly.
Hi Angela,
A great shop makes everyone who comes through the door feel welcome. It should be inviting whether you look like you will spend money there or not- the ones I like the best are the ones that have great friendly staff.
I have linked your blog to mine today.
You can find it at quiltmomsjourney.blogspot.com
Regards from a Western Canadian Quilter,
Anna
Wow, more great photos of market and so many wonderful prizes to win. Every single one of them to die for. I have to admit that the batik charm blocks with appliques made me pause and the Kona Bay Oriental fat quarters made me suck air. I just bought a pack of 6 Sakura oriental fat quarters in shades of blue, all with bits of gold metallic through them, so I will be watching carefully for this collection to arrive. Of course then I got to the Yellow Bird Tote and Bag and thought...wow, think of all the fat quarters or charm packs I could fit in these. **sigh** So much eye candy on your post. Really though, anyone who wins any of your freebies will be delighted, I know I would hyper ventilate. They are all so scrumptious and your generosity blows me away. Hmmm...but then, you ARE quilters right and quilters are known for being caring and generous. As for what a great quilt shop should be like? For me, user friendly is most important. For instance, being able to walk in, even the smaller shops with close aisles and see the fabric collections I am looking for and a super friendly, happy staff. But most importantly, just a fun place to 'hang out'. I have been in huge shops with enourmous inventories of lucious fabrics but the decor makes me feel like I'm in a warehouse. Then I have been in tiny shops with very small selections that are decorated in a way that lends to just lingering. Perhaps a small table with a couple of chairs here and there to sit and just think things over (fabric wise I mean). I also like a place, either a shelf or table large enough for me to lay out my selections instead of trying to organize them in a cart while moving out of other folks way or man handle them without dropping them. All in all, I guess what I like, large shop or small is a shop with a comfortable, fun atmosphere and a staff that makes you feel at home and very happy to see you even if you are just browsing. Well, this turned into a long winded answer, sorry about that. I fully intend to email my two sis in laws who quilt and they will in turn send your link to their family members that quilt and that should make close to ten. I will also mention you on the other blogs I visit, even though I am diminishing my shot at winning, I love your blog and intend to share you with anyone I can. Thanks again sharing the pictures of Market, and your thoughts about spending which had me laughing till tears were rolling. OH...one more thing, congrats to Jeanne and Carmi on winning the Lecien fabrics. I'm envious yes, but I'm happy for you two.
Hi Angela,
What fun ya had. The green and greys look wonderful and thanks for having such a great giveaway. I just did a post so I will post about it tomorrow.
I think when you walk into a quilt shop and can see it like a home and furniture with quilts on display, it makes you feel like you could shop forever. Lots of classes, not just how to use your machine. We have one here and that's about all they show.
Keep Stitchen'
Bonnie
I love your very generous giveaways and I think a good quilt shop should have lots of sewn things around to see and be inspired by and also lots of patterns to be able to buy and of course lots of fabrics displayed in thier colours. It should be a light place so one can see things very clearly. :) I have put up on my blog all about this fabulous giveaway and I hope you post to Australia as that is where I am :)
I'm here because Tozz told us about your great giveawy . I live in a very small town with no quilt shop so thats what I would like -a quilt shop . Thanks very much .
Found your site through Tozz. It's a great giveaway you have and I'd love to be entered in it.
The perfect quilt shop to me is the one that carries all I need and a lot of things I didn't know I need.
Lotta in Sweden
I also found your site through Tozz. Your giveaway is great, I´d like to take part in it.
The perfect quilt shop feels like home, makes me feel special, gives inspiration and new ideas and I can find every possible quilting gadget there. I like when the staff in the shop is friendly even if I don´t buy anything.
We have not too many quilting shops here in Finland, but one of them is nearly perfect...
"Feels like home" is exactly what a quilt shop should be like! But 'home" for the artist in you!!! No dishes, no mess, but colour, and laughter and inspiration. Gentle spirits to guide you through new experiences and to hold your hand and tell you "you can do anything". The supplies to tickle your fancy when something new strikes it. Always something new:) But also the old reliables (thread, blades, fusible, batting, backing fabric) so you can get on with creating. Great giveaway. Great comments.
WOW what a wonderful giveaway. A perfect quilt shop is one that has a wide selection of fabrics from your blenders, batiks and solids to key new releases of fabrics. The shop should be arranged in such a way that it is easy to find the fabrics and it isn't cluttered. A nice selection of threads and notions to patterns and books would be icing on the cake.
What a grand giveaway, thanks so much for your hospitality and genersousity but also for sharing with us your adventures from quilt market.
My ideal quilt shop has, as most have mentioned already, friendly , helpful people. It also is a place for inspiration.
AN idea I had, and it could be a viable and is also different than what most shops now offer, is mystery projects done routinely, not huge quilts, but wallhanging, table runners, purses, smaller quicker projects, etc. Patrons that buy the main parts required for the project through the shop would be included with email instructions or a free pattern doled out during the class. It has some intrigue, could be scintillating, and have quilter's have a sense of saving money especially during these tough economic times. Word of mouth is a great way to spread the word and invite neighbors from around the world to play. Just as you and I have done with sharing about your giveaway and your yellowbirdart.blogspot. I win, win for all concerned. Thanks again. Jane
an ideal quilt shop for me would be little stations with designer fabrics and their patterns.
so if I want a kaffee fassett pattern I can go directly to his station and not have to rummage thru stacks and stacks of patterns endlessly.
A great quilt shop should have lots and lots of samples! It should have good lighting and friendly, helpful staff! A monthly freebie block or small project would be nice too!
A perfect quilt shop would have loads of samples for inspiration and a friendly staff. Rebecca
My, what giveaways you have...all lovely items! I would love to win any of them! A great quilt shop would send me home inspired! I always go back to friendly quilt shops that have wonderful displays and a helpful clerk that can answer all of my questions.
I love the question about the 'best' quiltshop,made me think ;-).
For me a great quiltshop has a variaty in fabrics, they don't have to have all brands, but different types: japanese, TOT's, roses etc. so we (quilters) can have lots of fun combining them . The staf has to be welcoming and helpfull, but also know when you want to 'browse' on your own. A coffee/teatable would be fantastic to talk about ideas and plans. Oh and if they would have a UFO-morning or afternoon once a month would be great, so quilters can bring their top, ask for help if they have a problem, and enjoy the company of others in the best surrounding for quilters: lots of fabrics LOL.
You're give aways are beautiful, and I never knew there were precut applique's, I'll have to keep my eyes open for them, haven't seen them here (Netherlands) yet.
Lovely giveaway!
A great quiltstore have lots of quilts, totes and so on. Many different kinds of fabrics and lots of notions. I just love notions. As I live in Denmark the opportunity to shop online is essential. I do most of my shopping online, it is easy and much cheaper.
My favorite tool is my stiletto!
Wow, what a great giveaway~ I read abt it from Tozz. ;) When I think of my favorite shops they each have lots of examples and a happy, helpful staff! My favorite tool is my little nippers for clipping those thread ends. ;)
What a great giveaway! A great quilt shop should have lots of samples and LOTS of fabrics. Not mostly one kind, but a wide variety. I love to see how the patterns are made up, and then looking for fabric to make my own version. It gives me inspiration!
Jocelyn
http://happycottagequilter.blogspot.com/
Awesome giveaway! Love the pics of market - can only imagine the overload in person. A great quilts shop should have tons of samples and employees excited about their jobs! Thanks for sharing your great giveaways and love the blog! Susan
What great giveaways!! Thanks so much! A great quilt shop should be friendly, informative, and fun to shop in! :0)
I remember seeing your feature article in best quilt shops, I save every copy and look forward to each one that comes....my dream would be to own a quilt shop and not work full time day job. Presently I part time quilt with my statler sticher. I think the best features in a quilt shop are the displays, and organization and samples and lots of fabric to chose from and not feeling closed in, but assumed great staff and lots of classes and trunk shows. I've listed your web site on my blog (http://rosebudquilting.blogspot.com/) and also your blog spot. I came from seeing post on Tozz's.
My all-time favorite shop is one that consistently moves inventory and decor ideas. Plenty of samples with kits at the ready...with identical fabric to the sample. If I fall in love with the sample it is likely the fabric and to see kits that aren't same is a real let down for me. I am a Statler Stitcher owner so seeing quilt tops quilted and not just tops is also a bonus. :-) Now I'm off to email friends about the giveaway..but gosh darn it lessens my chances of a win!
A great quilt shop has variety of fabric, offers classes for various skill levels, friendly staff, and great service.
My best experience at a quilt shop: I ran out of a background fabric and returned to the store where I purchased it. No luck. At the 6th store ( 30 miles from my home), the owner gladly offered to hunt it up on the Internet and ordered me a bolt. She did not know me and had never seen the fabric before, but was happy to have my business and to help me. Needless to say I have gone out of my way to shop there and to tell others.
Mu ideal quilt shop would be one with helpful friendly staff, a constant change and update on fabric and preferable set in Stories not colour.
I found your blog through Tozz also.
Gail
gcom31@msn.com
I love your giveaway question...I've thought a lot about why I shop more at some shops than others... A quilt shop should be inspiring...and it should have a great variety of fabrics and styles...lots of patterns and the newest trends. A quilt shop should have owners and staff who are up on the latest lines and designs...And most importantly, they should be friendly!!!
A perfect quilt shop has employees who love to quilt and who are willing to help you find what you need - whether it is a notion, thread that matches, and fabrics that go together!
Your blog is very nice and it sounds like you had a great time at Market....
nhsarab@yahoo.com
A great quilt shop will be like a home with great family and friends who all loves quilts and like to make quilts. There will be all the tools and books to make fabulous quilts...and the best part will be a huge selection af fabrics.
What a generous giveaway and please count me in.
South African living in TX
Samples, Kits, Good lighting, friendly staff, great notions, classes. Just a fun place that when you feel like getting out and about for a little bit, you can stop by for a friendly greeting and fabric atmosphere. You're give away is so generous, thank-you for the opportunity.
Quick and simple......a great quilt shop ....of course needs fabric and notions....but...it also needs a feeling of friendship....when you walk in the door..you should feel like your amoung friends......
Great give away!!.....LindaMay
A good quilt shop should have everything a quilter needs and more and a friendly face at the other side of the counter.
Hugs Mary
A great quilt shop, small or large would be welcome when the nearest one to you is in another town and you can't just run over there anytime. Thanks for all the good on-line shops and a site like yours that posts pictures of fabric and how it is being used. My favorite quilting notion: sturdy hand quilting needles that don't bend. Sarah
What a great patteren I would love to make it for my great niece. She would love them. What I like at a quilt shop are samples. I like to see what the patteren will look like this is very important to me. I need to see and then the patteren makes sence. I hope I could be the lucky winner if not the winning will be very lucky.
A great quilt shop is a fun place to be. Knowledgeable staff, great lines of material and lots of quilt displays are a must.
Ladybug
I found your website from "Quilt Hollow" blog. What a wonderful and generous giveaway!
My idea of a great quilt shop...I love seeing sample quilts in progress or already finished on display, lots of fabric for sale, notions and of course it's alwayas nice to be greeted by a friendly staff!
Debby L. in DE
I love those soaps - what clever people - I am worn out looking at your Quilt Market pictures - all that stuff and all those people!
A great quilt shop should have good quality fabrics at reasonable prices. The displays should show coordinating fabrics to give the novice quilter ideas. They should offer classes on site.
Thank you for entering my name in your generous give away. Happy Holiday ~Natalie
TY for accepting my name in your giveaway.
Looks like you could have a good time browsing all those fabrics.
TTFN ~ Marydon
A great quilt shop should have tons of samples and a nice variety of fabrics and notions. It should have a knowledgeable and friendly staff to help you with any questions you may have. It should offer classes on a variety of techniques at a reasonable cost. All of these things are offered in my local fabric store and these are what keep me coming back there to shop! Cindy
P.S. I'll send out a note to 10 blogging buddies!! I came here from Quilt Hollow.
A great quilt shop is like your home away from home. A place to go and be inspired, and one that has tons of fabric (of course), and threads, and notions, oh and wool, too. And most of all, with great employees, who become your friend, teacher, and cheerleader! The ones who push you to do your best and try new things. Thanks for an awesome giveaway!
Wow, what a great give away. I love to walk into a quilt shop that feels like home. Warm and friendly people willing to help with the simple questions I might have. I love lots of fabrics, patterns and notions. You can always find something that you NEED to buy at a quilt shop!
A great quiltshop has friendly workers. My favorite notion is my awl that I use like a stilleto. I love my black dressmaker fiskars even though I haven't made a dress since I found quilting. They are lightweight and SHARP!
I have 9 children and love it when my little ones enjoy a shop. One only an hour away has a little wood "kitchen set" they've all loved. My 12yo went with me there just lately and said, "Was this kitchen set always so tiny?" LOL! Another quiltshop they like to go to has interesting buttons in a basket and they get to pick their favorite button for free.~ Scrap baskets are my favorite things since a dime or a quarter can sometimes add a little treat to a quilt that makes me remember getting to visit a new interesting shop.
I hope you draw "Lucy Dufendach". Thank you for the chance. Oh, I came here through Quilt Hollow blog.
I'm originally from Iowa..Dubuque actually. I have not been to your shop but I have wanted to since I saw you Quilt Sampler. I live in Ohio now, been quilting for 13 years. I also design on Moda Bakeshop. I found your blog through Quilt Hollow.
Blogged about your giveaway!!
I would love to be entered to win a prize, and what great prizes they are too. I think a quilt shop should have the latest fabric lines and patterns. Plus they should carry the honey buns, jelly rolls, charm packs and layer cakes, I just love the Moda precuts.
Just found your blog from another blog that mentioned you. So I'll do the same and send your link to my friends right now!
I think a key thing for a quilt shop is communication...either by newsletter, email, or a frequently updated blog. There's no way to know what new fabrics are available or what classes are being offered without good communication. And I think a shop that strives to keep in contact with the customer will be one that I would definitely frequent and buy from! Especially if they carry lots of jelly rolls and Moda precuts!!
My idea of a great shop is a store that stocks lots of batiks and vibrant colors. I love classes that expand skills beyond the norm and introduce art into quilting. I guess that is why I love your shop! Please include me in the giveaway.
I'm writing another comment because this is SO interesting!! The minute I sent the above comment I received an automatic reply from your shop thanking me! Now that's on-the-ball communication! Thanks!
What great giveaways! Thanks it is very inspiring to see all the fun stuff.
I think the most important thing for a quilt shop to be is friendly and helpful. A couple weeks ago I taught a quilt class at church and recommended a certain quilt shop to the gals who needed to buy supplies. They were shocked and offended on how poorly they were treated by the owner - it was very embarrassing!
Great giveaway you're having!
A perfect quiltshop is the one that gives us a lot of inspiration and joy. Have just been to the big nordic quilt convention in Sweden and it has been so fun. I goes home with a lot of inspiration and good memories.
A great quilt shop should be bright and friendly. I am so excited about this giveaway!!We missed market this year due to my broken leg:( So i am up for some fun! Thanks
In my ideal world a great quilt shop has friendly helpful staff, a great range of fabrics and notions, books and magazines for inspiration, samples galore to show us what we can create, and a coffee shop in the corner with yummy fresh treats! Thanks for the pics of quilt market, I'm never likely to attend as it's so far away.
Hi! I am impressed with your giveaway--such beautiful things! My favorite quilt shops have lots of samples made up for display and then they have the patterns and fabrics to make the project. They also have much of the newest fabric lines that are out as well as the newest patterns. They have fabric, patterns, and projects that appeal to a wide variety of design likes. The people who work at my favorite shops are friendly, kind, helpful and fun. They know the newest lines that I may be looking for and can help to locate them. My favorite quilt shop also smells good!
Thanks for this wonderful giveaway!
Oops- forgot to answer your question. A great shop should have an amazing fabric selection, reasonable prices, experienced and helpful staff, as well as offer fun classes for the newbies and experienced alike!
Smiles...the assistants smile at you. I have walked out of so many beautiful shops because of the frosty faces and unwelcoming atmosphere. So, yes, SMILES. :-)
I've blogged so you're sure to get more than 10 bloggers coming to visit you.
Love the giveaways!!!
To me the perfect quilt shop is one where once you walk in you are in awe of the quilts hanging as samples, displays are inspirational and the staff is welcoming and friendly. I love when the shop changes displays every few weeks so when I come back I have to walk all around and see everything again.
I love your to market to market tote, great idea, great fabrics!
Kathie
hi, WOW what a giveaway,
I'm with Jenny, smiles and lots of them!!!
I just love your handbag, it is way to cute...
have fun! Shiree
A great shop makes you feel welcomed the moment you walk through the door. The personnel are helpful and knowledgeable. You see new products plus familiar designers, the old and the new. There are samples, samples, samples. I'm anxious to visit your store some day when I'm back in NE Iowa, visiting my family. So glad to find your website!
I found your website from "Quilt Hollow" blog.
A perfect quilt shop should be like a great family,should be helpful and give inspirations for new projects.
A great quilt shop should have loads of great fabrics, patterns, kits, and friendly folks full of great ideas!
Hi
to me a great quilt shop is one where you walk in the door, are greeted by friendly staff and inspirational projects.. having someone say 'oh gosh I want to make that' must be wonderful if you are the designer..
I think a quilt shop that has friendly staff is the most important thing.. oh and of course, having a good range of little bits of everything..
I love your 'gotta fly' hang bag pattern, gorgeous!
Lissa
I live in a very small town from Romania, with no quilt shop. I want to do one, but it is very hard. I try! A great shop should have a great variety of fabrics and styles, lots of patterns.....
Please include me in the giveaway!
a great quilt shop will have what you came to buy and in the process of finding it you are exposed to sooooo much inspiration that you are already planning your next purchases and next project (or maybe projectS) we don't ever want to be stuck for ideas.
Oops - got so excited, I forgot to say what makes a quilt shop great - it's not only the fabric that they carry, but the warmth of the people who work there that makes you want to come back!
Jenny from Elefantz sent me. A quilt shop with friendly helpful staff, loads of different types of fabric and something different that other quilt shops don't have. I have been to quilt shops with my friend and we have toured quickly and walked out without buying because the fabric wasn't to our taste. On other occasions I go back to quilt shops that I know will cut a fat quarter off yardage if it isn't already cut. It's the small things that make a great quilt shop - it doesn't have to be the size of the store.
what wonderful gifts your are giving and one day I will visit quilt market, it is a dream of mine.
cheers
Christine
Oh a great quilt shop should be friendly, friendly and friendly
cheers
Christine
oh and inspirationel
A great quilt shop should have lots of samples to inspire, a couple comfy chairs by the books so you can really check them out before you buy, a real variety of classes that change often, lots of different kinds of fabrics, and a great website to inform as well as allow for shopping in your PJs.
Nancy
I found you through Chris at Shady Grove Studios. What a fun give aways! A great quit store woulf have lots of samples for inspiration and loads of fabric...novelties and blenders!
A great quilt shop is inspirational in every way, fabric, classes, demonstrations, assistance, patterns, notions, examples and serves tea and coffee too!
I think a great quilt shop should carry all the latest fabrics and notions as well as all the old favorites. It should be a place where everyone wants to hang out. It should offer lots of fun classes and maybe a retreat too. It should be a place where you can enjoy a bargain or too as well.
Thanks for offering such a fabulous giveaway!
My favorite quilt shop has a variety of fabrics, patterns, and notions so vast that anybody can find what they love. Thanks for all the giveaways!!!
A great quilt shop should have friendly staff that doesn't hover, a variety of styles of fabric (whimsy, classic, primitive, etc) and LOTS of samples made with the current fabrics OR currently-stocked patterns. Not fun to see a gorgeous quilt hanging on the wall and then not be able to find the pattern!!
When I go into a new quilt shop, the first thing I do is wander the entire shop while looking UP - so many people miss out on great inspiration if they forget to look UP at the displays. After the "UP" viewing, then I look at the fabrics and toys and patterns!
Tracy in SW WA
FiberBabble
The perfect quilt shop is one that offers to order what you want when they don't have it in stock. A shop keeper who answers questions and helps you with quilting problems even if you bought your kit elsewhere. A great quiltshop is a little one who will open during off hours when you GOTTA HAVE a certain color thread. A great shop is one that will carry a few of several different new lines of fabric on the bolt and in pre-cuts. Oh wait, that's my shop, lol. Seriously though, great quilt shops will have staff that are friendly, savvy to your needs, not pushy but willing to assist if needed. (I had waited for several years to visit the shop of my dreams, moved close to it and went in. I wandered the aisles for over an hour and was not approached once. Ask if I will go back...ahh, no I won't. My shop is small and I am the ONLY employee but I try. I also can't stay out of other quilt shops...and spend tons of money on fabrics too! Thanks for the opportunity to join in the draw. Oh, I love your store~ Elaine from Texas
yankeebabe_01@hotmail.com
Great giveaway! My ideal quilt shop is there not only to provide quality supplies but also a welcome port in the storm of indecision or inexperience to help with those ufo's, problem points, or lack of inspiration. My quilt shop often is where I find my muse. Don't ya wish those muses would stick closer to home?
Will blog and send the link to 10 bloggy friends!
Oh my gosh! That is one HUGE giveaway. TEN prizes! Well, that would make your quilt shop GENEROUS....that's got to be an asset to a store!
My very favorite quilt shop (In The Beginning, Seattle) has gone out of business, but, what I liked about it was an ENORMOUS assortment of fabrics with lots of samples of finished items. I never went home empty handed.
Warm blessings,
Spencer
A great quilt shop should carry lots of fabric, patterns etc and have lots of quilts and things displayed. But the most important thing is it should feel good when you walk in and be friendly
I like a shop where the staff are very helpful, as I am new to quilting and need help with some things. Also lots of finished samples of patterns, because sometimes the picture on the pattern doesn't do it for me.
I am totally in love with batiks. Those cut out's look very enticing.
A wonderful quilt shop would have comfy chairs / couches to sit on and great lighting while hanging out and doing some hand work with friends.
A Diet Coke machine would be nice too!
Smells fresh, good lightening and soft music in the background. Most of all an owner and helpers who love to be there and welcome you when you stop in.
I will go back to my blog and post a link to you site.
Good Luck!
Link set up on my blog
knot-yembroiderylady@blogspot.com
I hope you have lots of traffic and Of course I hope I win :0)
Good Luck
A great quilt shop should have the fabric arranged in colors/patterns, like a rainbow. Sometimes you really need to get some fabric, but you really don't have the time. Big signs with the color you are looking for will help. Also, the person who is there, should be able to answer questions for the beginners, will these two fabrics match? is this batting too thin? Also some books and a pair of armchairs to check them out and get inspired before buying them. In Spain it is really rare to find a quilt shop, I'm fortunate to live in the States now!
Have a great Memorial day!!!
A warm, comfy feeling from the moment you walk in, is what I think the perfect quilt shop should offer. I heard about your link from Gran, and I will also post on my blog, orcsmom.blogger.com. Good luck and I hope I am one of the lucky ten!
Pam
I think a great quilt shop should be open and friendly. Too many times I have gone in to a shop and it seemed it was an imposition to have a customer. I want a quilt shop to be update on new techniques, patterns, designers, tools, etc.
This a great giveaway! Hoping to win. :)
oh my, you gals did have fun, didn't you!!!! thanks for the chance to win some blog candy. I sent your site to the gals in my quilt chapter! the rippers!
thanks again
Lorene H
mesa, AZ
qlt7scrap at cox dot net
My sister-in-law just emailed me info on your site - and now I'll spend some time checking it out!
I think a great quilt shop is a combination of a lot of things, the way you feel when you walk in the door...if it makes you want to spend plenty of time looking and enjoying all the great fabric, regardless of whether you buy something this time or not. Friendly people is a must..and I love a quilt shop that not only has a lot of fabric, but also plenty of finished quilts to look at...and be inspired by! I've found both small and large quilt shops that have this feel -
Oh know I did not get to read the question regarding a great quilt shop. A great quilt shop is somewher with clear light, warmth and the possibility of new friends, great quilts, not necessarily new materials sometimes the old ones are fantastic to. Embroidery threads etc. It is the staff that make a quilt shop which I know Yellow Bird already have.
I remember seeing your quilt shop featured in Best Quilt Shops. I found this blog because "Busy Little Quilter" mentioned you in her blog. My favorite quilt shop is one in which I walk in the door and I'm immediately inspired by the surroundings and am whisked away from the outside world. I love to be greeted by someone friendly but then want to be left alone to explore and dream on my own till I've made my selections.
Like so many others, I like a bright and cheerrful quilt shop. When I walk in I want to be greeted, but then left to browse for a while. I want open table space that I can put bolts down while continuing to shop. And lots and lots of quilts, purses, pillows.... on display so that I will be inspired to sew (and maybe buy) a little bit more. Also make the pattern area pleasant to encourage people to continue to look for inspiration. One chair is nice, but a loveseat or a couple chairs is even better.
Hope the shop remodel is fun.
Kami
Well, I only have 15min. I am here by Quilt Hollow and I hope you will let me play.
The perfect quilt shop for me is one where you feel like family and everyone that works in the shop makes you feel welcome. And of course it must have lots of samples and beautiful fabrics.
A great quilt shop has so much fabirc, I could not get it all at one time, I would have to keep coming back and back for more!!!
Plus lot of projects to look at, a wall of buttons, rick rack and thread! thanks for this chnace!
pnkcndy ay sbcglobal dot net
I like a quilt shop with lots of good lighting - natural if possible. I also like a friendly staff who don't look down on you when you ask dumb questions. So days a shopping cart or basket would also be helpful. Thanks for such a great giveaway.
Wow, sounds like Quilt Market was a lot of fun (and hard work). So exciting though to see everything new and fresh.
A quilt shop needs great lighting to see the colours accurately. And very friendly staff who will help you decide on this yellow-green or that green-yellow. And lots of gadgets, and classes, and sewing machine advice. And lots of quilts on display - samples for classes, kits and patterns. And of course lots and lots of fabric. And a nice mix of styles. And soothing music. Did I mention the coffee shop next door?
Cheers - Shari
Am I too late??? So many great ideas here ... lighting, variety, displays ... I like comfy chairs where people can sit and work in their laps (and I also like classes that recognize that some quilters work M-5, 8-5 - so many quilting events are in the day time!).
I'd also like a shop that had an Accucut Go machine that could be rented for customer use. I would LOVE to be able to leave the shop with everything cut and ready to go!
A great quilt shop should have tons of fabrics,notions and gadgets and have an active guild connected to it where the quilters attend classes and go to quilting bees. That is what mine is like here in Dunfanaghy, Ireland.
I will post about your giveaway so all my visitors will see it.
Micki
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