I "volunteer" at our LQS. I have done the inventory so I know the fabric, but I didn't count the notions. The owner doesn't have the funds yet to hire someone full time. If I am working when she is not there, I can usually just phone her to ask a question about stock if I'm not sure and cannot find it. I don't know all there is to know about quilting, but I just love to help the customers pick out their fabric. I have them lay it out on tables to "audition it" and it's a lot of fun! I know I can count on the customers to teach me what I don't know!

What good advice! It also happens to be the reason I joined the Board. Makes me feel so much more confident.

I would give her the benefit of the doubt, she may be a whiz at picking out fabric and colors, or great at math!!! I guess I would just ask a few questions and see where her strength lies.

She may be new to the shop and a non-quilter who had to have a job.

Well, in a perfect world every employee in every store would know everything about every item in the store. But it's not a perfect world and let me remind all y'all how many quilters on this very board did not know what a fat quarter was. And those who did know patted those who didn't know on the back and assured them it was okay, we all learn something every day. Give the shop a break...just like you would someone here on the board.

Hopefully she will learn quickly from the customers. Maybe you should work there :-)

I found that some of the kindest people I know are crafters and quilters. You ladies have just proved that all over again.

This is a comment perhaps about the other unanswered question.
Avoid the pounce in red and blue. The colored chalks are not always easy to remove. There ae two kinds - the regular chalk which bounces off your quilt and should be marked only a little at the time. Some will spray with hair spray to keep the chalk in place while quilting. The other is Miracle Chalk which is usually removed with the steam iron. In the latter case rather than pounce like you clean a blackboard eraser, you just wipe it over the stencil.
Bottom line is to avoid the colored chalks. White and light grey pencils are ok.
Now having said all this, I have seen quilters use the colored chalk pencils with success.

Every one has a first day or week when your trying to learn the shop or business. Just know that for awhile your going to know more than she does. Jan

Maybe she was filling in for a regular employee who was sick or had to be away for some reason that day. Everyone has to learn at some point. Let's encourage everyone we can. Who knows, a few weeks down the road she may be a top notch employee.

everyone has to learn,and sounds to me like she just learnt a good bit of info..and now she can pass it on.
new stores don't always know all the right answers.....and sometimes even old stores don't.I have spoke to some people who know lots But not all.
Char

well, could be several things. What we know we are saying is not what the other person pictures. She may have been past her chocolate break or she actually was a thief trying to make it look like she worked there to try and throw you off from the fact she had the owner wrapped in batting and tied with empbroidery floss stashed in the back

She sounds fine, just don't ask for any quilting advice.

I've been quilting for 15 years, and do not know what a "chalk pounce" is. Obviously something with chalk in it?

Just use your good judgment about what you hear...if you like it, try it, if not ignore it. Forgive the poor lady, I don't know what I am talking about half the time either.

LOL
So, Writerwomen, do you write crime novels?

Afraid to see the shelf empty or didn't want to end what she was doing in back. Maybe someone should tell her the items are to sell not store.

I have used the chalk pounce to mark my quilts for a long time. Unless something has changed the white is the only one that you remove with a hot iron. I do hand quilting when I do a large area I like taking it off as I go. Don't forget to iron your quilt to remove the chalk before washing . I called the company when I was selling the product to see if they had colors and they cannot make color that can be removed with heat. so I suggest use the color and to see if it washes out ok before you mark your quilt. Suggest to your shop to get informed keep this ready to demo they will increase their sales.
I love the pounce original only white.
Hope this is helpful.

I have to agree with dixiechunk. It seems like a lot of you are being very critical. What happened to "there are no silly questions". I wonder if you don't reallize how critical you sound. The people here on the board are usually very nice. Maybe everyone needs a chocolate break. Every store I have been to have some employees who know something about a part of quilting. When you put them all together, they know a lot. No one knows everything there is to know. Give her a break.
Sue