It's summer time finally here in the Yukon and during the summer our local quilt shop does not hold classes or get-togethers and you know what? I miss it!!!!
People in general tend to be vocal when something upsets: bad experience at the fabric store; unhappy with the class instructor, etc.
The quiet voices of those who have had an enjoyable experience sometimes fall into the background.
Have you had some wonderful experiences that you would like to share? Please do so, let's smile together!
I love my local quilt shop. Every time I go down those stairs I hear my name called out and am thoroughly welcomed. And it's not just me, every visitor gets a hello. Sometimes even by fellow shoppers, it's like we are all friends that haven't met yet LOL.
The staff is amazing, they keep an eye out, they don't hover, but the minute you start to feel like you need assistance somehow they know and are right there.
If one of the staff is "visiting" with an old friend, a new friend, a tourist that has come back a year later...there is always another that is "on" for assistance. They are really good at making sure someone is available.
I love taking classes there. Twice a year is sign up day and it's a fun, party day. There are appies and tea and cold beverages. All of the models for the upcoming class season are unveiled. The shop opens at 10 a.m. but you know what, people start gathering out on the street at 9:30 a.m. We visit, we anticipate, we review each other's checklist of what classes we were interested in (the newsletter comes out just days earlier with a class list), we just enjoy the bliss. When the doors open the rest of the day is spent in wonder, going over the models, visiting, trying to make sure you get in the same classes as your friends.
The entire staff is there for sign up day, and they are also the class instructors so you are able to chat with them, find out if your skill level is enough to take the class, find out what the expectations are. Some instructors are only wanting to teach you a technique, so buying all the materials to complete the model is not necessary if you don't want to have a completed project, you get enough to get started and learn the technique...other classes are more about the finished project and your instructor lets you know how much homework you need to do ahead of time.
It may be because we live in a small community (there are only 30,000 people in the whole of the Yukon), but the staff knows who sews, knows if you have ever taken a class and most times will remember if you were in their classes previously. They have a really good idea of your skill level and will let you know if you need to work at something or if it'll be easy for you to do. If they've never seen you before, or if they know you are standing there shocked and don't know what to do, they'll steer you to the quiltstart lessons first. Learning about your machine, learning about fabric, etc. That's how I started, they encouraged me to take quiltstart before taking one of the other classes. It makes it so much easier for later classes when everyone has the same starting point.
At first I took classes to learn all the skills, and they exhausted me but I take great pride in the skills I've learned and nothing makes me happier some days as when my points match perfectly.
I now take classes for social reasons. Most of what is offered I could figure out or learn online, but the peace and joy of sitting with other women (and sometimes a man!) who share this passion with you is amazing. I'm one of the young ones of the group and I've learned so much from the older women and I just love being in their company. Years ago, women of all ages came together in quilting bees, the older generation passing along their knowledge of more then just quilting to the younger women. Now we meet at classes and in all day sewing retreats. Yes, we can sew alone at home, but we are social beings and we have a need to be part of a larger community and my quilt shop seems to be a solid core for that larger community...at least in my world!
My 13 year old daughter has let the store owner and her staff know that she would love a summer job there next year (when she's old enough!). She "just wants to be a part of it". The last time I went and was pulling fabric, she spent a lovely hour and a half folding fat quarters at a corner table and putting tags on them. The ladies just love her LOL (and have told her they may need her for next July at least).
Ok, I know I've rambled on, but it's Sunday, the birds are singing and the sun is out and we're having one of our few "summer" days here in the Yukon (we are actually above 20Celcius today!!) and I'm just happy and wanted to share/chat. I also finished several piecing goals yesterday and am gazing at my design wall with a nearly completed quilt top on it...yay!
Ok, tell me what makes you happy!!!!
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