Go Back  Quiltingboard Forums >
  • Main
  • Stock the quilt store....ideas welcome! >
  • Stock the quilt store....ideas welcome!

  • Stock the quilt store....ideas welcome!

    Thread Tools
     
    Old 03-25-2011, 03:41 PM
      #21  
    Power Poster
     
    QuiltnNan's Avatar
     
    Join Date: Mar 2011
    Location: western NY formerly MN, FL, NC, SC
    Posts: 51,430
    Default

    space to lay out chosen fabrics to view them from a distance.
    QuiltnNan is offline  
    Old 03-25-2011, 03:46 PM
      #22  
    Senior Member
     
    grugirl's Avatar
     
    Join Date: Jan 2011
    Location: Graham, WA
    Posts: 368
    Default

    Originally Posted by QuiltnNan
    space to lay out chosen fabrics to view them from a distance.
    I have to 2nd this one also. Many times it is not doable in a store and it is frustrating
    grugirl is offline  
    Old 03-25-2011, 03:46 PM
      #23  
    Super Member
     
    lfw045's Avatar
     
    Join Date: Mar 2008
    Location: Hopewell, VA (for the moment anyway)
    Posts: 1,692
    Default

    Definitely free coffee, tea or hot chocolate and a table with comfy chairs to foster conversation and ideas!
    lfw045 is offline  
    Old 03-25-2011, 03:47 PM
      #24  
    Super Member
     
    quilter1's Avatar
     
    Join Date: Apr 2009
    Location: Ayr, Ontario
    Posts: 1,059
    Default

    Staff who are friendly and don't think they are better than you.
    A basket on wheels to put bolts in while walking around and a table for previewing fabric choices. A clearance section is a must too. Good luck.
    quilter1 is offline  
    Old 03-25-2011, 03:47 PM
      #25  
    Senior Member
     
    grugirl's Avatar
     
    Join Date: Jan 2011
    Location: Graham, WA
    Posts: 368
    Default

    Originally Posted by hobbykat1955
    Novelty and landscape fabrics...I do allot of scenes and it's hard to find those types of fabric...do allot of searching.
    The QS I occasionally teach at offers space to teachers takes no portion, teachers are free to charge whatever only have to ck dates with owners calandar to make sure space is available. This brings in business because most will purchase materials for the classes there.
    They have two teas each yr for all their customers and bring in vendors, teachers to show what classes they are offering, anyone to do with sewing/quilting set up tables.
    They have a magazine, book area with chairs so you can find a pattern...They also trust you to take it home and brin git back when done.
    They send a monthly newsltr announcing the classes.
    They have gatherings for people on the wkends or at night so you can bring your UFO to finish and get help on if needed.
    They do allot of charity quilts...we all donate quilts to Project Linus, or this past winter made sqs and then put them together for the troops one wkend.
    I could go on...but I think your head is probably spinning at this pt.Good luck
    I have to agree with the landscape fabrics especially, brick tones and stones are hard to find for my houses. I am always on the lookout wherever I go. I still don't have many and have been searching for over 5 years.
    grugirl is offline  
    Old 03-25-2011, 03:57 PM
      #26  
    Junior Member
     
    Join Date: Aug 2009
    Location: Newnan, GA
    Posts: 108
    Default

    My favorite LQS has a variety of sales such as: Fat Quarter Friday (once a month) ($1.50); end of the bolt 25% off (one Sat a month); a buyer's card ($20 off after $250 in purchases); birthday sale (1/2 your age for the week before and after your birthday; Wonderful Wednesday (once a month where something is spontaneously put on sale, etc. They have a variety of samples hanging on the wall; a Christmas fabric area; a baby fabric area; a civil war area; new fabric area; batik area, etc. The best thing is you feel like you are home. They welcome you with a big smile, answer any questions, let you know about anything new or on sale. And, they call me by name (of course I have been going there for years).
    SandraG is offline  
    Old 03-25-2011, 04:06 PM
      #27  
    Senior Member
     
    grugirl's Avatar
     
    Join Date: Jan 2011
    Location: Graham, WA
    Posts: 368
    Default

    Originally Posted by SandraG
    My favorite LQS has a variety of sales such as: Fat Quarter Friday (once a month) ($1.50); end of the bolt 25% off (one Sat a month); a buyer's card ($20 off after $250 in purchases); birthday sale (1/2 your age for the week before and after your birthday; Wonderful Wednesday (once a month where something is spontaneously put on sale, etc. They have a variety of samples hanging on the wall; a Christmas fabric area; a baby fabric area; a civil war area; new fabric area; batik area, etc. The best thing is you feel like you are home. They welcome you with a big smile, answer any questions, let you know about anything new or on sale. And, they call me by name (of course I have been going there for years).
    The friendliness of course plays a huge part. I have oft found that many women that work in quilt shops are not always that friendly. In fact, many times I feel as if I put them off by asking questions. They seem disturbed or bothered many times. There are a few shops I love but the friendliness of the owner and staff has much to be desired.
    grugirl is offline  
    Old 03-25-2011, 04:16 PM
      #28  
    Junior Member
     
    ergranny46's Avatar
     
    Join Date: Nov 2010
    Location: Oklahoma
    Posts: 144
    Default

    I agree if you are close to Hancocks or JoAnns don't try to compete with them, remember you're a better shop. You carry better fabrics, books, patterns, tools, instructors and have a better staff.

    If you are going to have classes, I hope you have lots of room. One of our LQS has classes but the room is so small that there are 4 students at each table. You have no room to move no place to cut or trim fabric, you get the idea.

    Good natural light if possible.

    The most important thing is a welcoming staff.
    We have a nationally known quilt store about 2 hrs from here, my dh has taken me a couple of times and they don't even act like we exist, he always leaves and waits in the truck.

    I like the idea of having a table with chairs to talk and share ideas. Also dh could rest while I shop and spend our (teehehe) money.

    Please let us know how your shop is progressing, we would like to see you do very well. Pictures please and progress reports.

    Good Luck!!!!!
    ergranny46 is offline  
    Old 03-25-2011, 04:17 PM
      #29  
    Super Member
     
    BKrenning's Avatar
     
    Join Date: Mar 2010
    Location: Lake Wales, FL, USA
    Posts: 1,554
    Default

    A full selection on-line with in-store pickup option.
    BKrenning is offline  
    Old 03-25-2011, 04:29 PM
      #30  
    Senior Member
    Thread Starter
     
    cedarvalleyquilts's Avatar
     
    Join Date: Mar 2011
    Location: Tipton, Iowa
    Posts: 731
    Default

    Thanks again to everyone....each one of these ideas is extremely helpful (and very good too).

    Chris
    cedarvalleyquilts is offline  
    Related Topics
    Thread
    Thread Starter
    Forum
    Replies
    Last Post
    carolstickelmaier
    Main
    2
    10-31-2014 02:25 PM
    Rachelcb80
    General Chit-Chat (non-quilting talk)
    95
    08-17-2011 08:35 AM
    kriscraft99
    Links and Resources
    10
    11-15-2010 08:21 PM
    paintmejudy
    Main
    6
    09-10-2010 11:32 AM

    Posting Rules
    You may not post new threads
    You may not post replies
    You may not post attachments
    You may not edit your posts

    BB code is On
    Smilies are On
    [IMG] code is On
    HTML code is On
    Trackbacks are Off
    Pingbacks are Off
    Refbacks are Off



    FREE Quilting Newsletter