After being on this board and meeting all the nice quilters, I've decided that someday I want to own my very own quilt shop. It's just a dream of course, (well I think it is) but its been fun to think about. What do you think? Could I make this dream a reality? And of course it will need a name. My DH wants to call it "Material Things" . What do you think? My name is Leesa. I'm a country gal. Any more suggestions? (since its a dream, be inventive)

Sounds like a great dream to me! "Leesas Country Quilt Shop" sounds cute to me!

Huge meeting room for classes and quilting board gatherings

Tea room with bakery!! Ooh my fav!!

A few different long arms to use/ take lessons

Love the tea room and bakery idea! :)

Ok, add a big screen room for the guys who might drive us to the classes :) I was going to say beer too, but that might be more difficult. In Massachusetts there is a brew bar that has an open space with a rug and rocking chairs. On Tuesday nights the guys come in to have a beer and watch TV and the ladies sit in the rockers, have a beer (or whatever) and knit! I think its sooooo cool!!!

My life poem - Hold fast to dreams for if dreams die Life is like a broken winged bird that cannot fly.

Dream On!!

My favorite quote is, "If you can't dream it, you won't have it."

Yours is a great one. I did that. I got the shop, too. :-)

Jan in VA

Dreams can turn into reality if we work at them....keep dreaming, start working, and you may have your shop!!

How about 10,000 bolts of fabric in that shop? That's a BIG dream!! :-)

I think you have a great dream. While you're dreaming about your quilt shop why not do something constructive--take classes on how to start a business or something like that. I did the same in order to know how to go about selling the purses that I make. It was fun learning all about selling and marketing and I did have a measure of success. The hardest thing I learned (because it took a long time to realize) is that since it was my dream, if I didn't get off my butt, it would never have come true.

I love your dream. What abuot "Quilting Dreams"? This dream may come to be. Happy quilting and keep dreaming.

Include a corner for kids, with toddler-safe toys to keep them busy so that Mom can shop longer (in peace).

Follow your dream and make it a reality. Best wishes, my friend. Sandy

Since you said you have dream;why not call it :"SEWER'S DREAM", just a thought. :lol:

#1piecemaker, I too share your dream, though mine includes owning a B&B to hold retreats at along with the quilt shop. And the B&B is always full of quilters. Such awesomely lovely dreams I have :lol: :lol:

Many good suggestions above.
Great Dream. Start making your dream a reality. Take a couple of business management classess.
Start a notebook of all your ideas. This will eventually become part of your business plan. take notebook with you everywhere & write in it.
Explore quilt shops outside your area. Talk to owners. What would they do differently. Are they profitable.
Take your dream one step at a time.
Are there any quilt shops in your area? Do not duplicate their style. Create your own.
Check out rent. Municipal laws & requirements.
Are you physically prepared to work long hours?
Are there enough quilters, sewers in your area to support a quilt shop.
Are you prepared for the finanicial investment and possible debt?
Good Luck

I thought about that. But, I'd probably have to watch and make sure they didn't handle the fabric after they ate. Reckon? I guess I could have a sink beside the tea room door. Sounds fun.

That might be a good idea. that way, the guys could watch tv while the women shop. That way they wouldn't mind too much about stopping in. Huh?

10,000 bolts? WoW we are dreaming!! However that might not be as hard as it sounds. /That might be a warehouse!!

Good idea. So we'll have a tea room and a play room. As a matter of fact there is a building for sale here in town that has a lot of extra little rooms. It used to be a doctor's office. It has a sink with a bar and cabinets.And all of the little patients rooms. It might just WORK!! Since we are dreaming, It will work!!

I was sad that one closed in my son's town, not sure why, probably not enough customers, but I sure enjoyed it when I was visiting him.

May your dream come true!

GO FOR IT!!! FOLLOW THOSE DREAMS. ASK LOTS OF QUESTIONS, LOOK AT LOTS OF SHOPS AND LISTEN TO PEOPLE. YOU CAN DO IT!!

We should all have Dreams!

Always have a dream for your life. God may direct you on a different path someday but hold on for now. This is a lovely thought.

Dreams can become reality... now my mind is racing here for a name.... got to include hubby's suggestion as well. So here goes:

Leesa's Dream Material & Things

Dreaming Leesa's Country Material & Things

I think you should pursue your dream. An area for the men to sit would be nice with tea, coffee & ‘manly’ magazines. Quilters love to take classes and these classes would bring quilters into your shop. When I worked at a LQS quilters were ‘encouraged’ to buy materials from the shop that was offering the classes. Music in the background is nice. You may want to offer LAQ services either done yourself or sent out to good and reputable local LAQ’s. You could also ask quilters or have a form for them to fill out about what they would like to see in your shop. The owner I worked for let us pick out whatever patterns she had in the store to make to put on display. This looks pretty and helps quilters who come in to come up with new ideas and helps you sell the materials needed for the quilt. You could also offer sew days or nights for quilters to come in and work on WIP’s together. You could also offer a sewing machine repair service if you wanted (or have a good referral or place to send out.) and also scissor sharpening. The LQS I worked for also sold Pfaff's and all of us had to learn how to use them to teach quilters. An e-mail newsletter of course would help you get new info out to your customers. Get involved with your local guilds. You could also have charity quilting days to bring quilters in who want to make charity quilts together. You could have them brown bag it, have a list of local restaurants or bring in lunch for them. One LQS had all night quilting PJ parties :-P

How about adding yarn, if there is a market for it? It might appeal to more people and you might be able to get a quilter to knit or a crocheter to quilt!

Keep that dream! I'd love to be able to do that too. I really like what sassyg suggested, "Sewer's Dream."

If I was closer I would come and work for you.

Yes indeed! Move to MY town with all those wonderful ideas and suggestions!!! ROFL!

These are some awesome ideas. What would the competition in your area be like? Alot of people I know are shopping online more and more too. Maybe you can do both.
Good luck. :thumbup:

WOW that LQS owner sounds like she had every base covered! It sounds wonderful!

I used to work at a LQS & so far the other ladies have given you some wonderful ideas. The shop I worked at also carried yarn & that was a huge seller. Just realize that it is hard work to have your own business with lots of long hrs and not necessary a lot of pay (at least for the 1st few yrs). However, it is definitely doable. One thing I would highly recommend you do if possible is work at another LQS for at least a yr. That will give you a good feel for how the customers can be, what sort of inventory they prefer the most, etc.

Make sure you have enough working capital to make it through the starting up period. I see so many businesses close here that were only open a year or less. I don't know if this still holds true but they used to say that a new business loses money the first year, breaks even the second year, and starts showing a profit the third. Plan ahead for that.

Check out SBA loans (if they still have them!) My mom got one for her drapery business years ago. Back then they liked loaning to women. They were considered a minority and so it was pretty easy to get the loan. Maybe it is still the same way. They offered all kinds of classes to help us with our business too.

Get a good accountant.

And most importantly - follow your dream. Life is too short and we shouldn't spend it thinking about "someday". Go for it. You will always regret not following your dream. I also have this dream but it will always stay that way. I'm broke, bad credit, bad health. So GO FOR IT!! That way I can live vicariously through you!!
:-D :-D

We all need dreams, it's what keeps us going. Good luck with yours and let us know how it turns out.

Like your screen name "Piece Maker" Country Quilts

Love the idea of quilter's B&B. Old farmhouse, turn the barn into the fabric store, coffee shop and bakery in one corner of the main level, with sitting area around the old wood stove... Discount area in the old hay loft upstairs. Another sitting area up there to rest from shopping and stair climbing, lol. I'm in heaven.
Actually I just described a B&B Bookshop that we stayed at in Canada. Just take out the books and put in the fabric!!

me too! Add "quilt camp" to that and you will know my dream!

I love your dream, keep dreaming it! I also love the idea of quilting supplies, lots of material, adding yarn and wool, some 'homemade' purses,totes, knitted sweaters for sale. Somewhere for clients to sit and talk, cup of tea, and spend some time with friends. When I think of these kinds of stores I think "cozy". Just make it warmy and comfortable for the clients and I'm sure your dream will grow and grow.
Good luck with your dream.

The fabric Patch is for sale in Montclair CA, very good business has been around for over 30years, good customer base, something to keep in mind

I like DH idea about "Material Things", it leaves room for all ideas, and fabric selections. Good luck, you can do it!