Back Issues
Issue 102 — Coming soon to a computer near you!; Product Reviews; Snippets — Small bits of information; Just Ask Jim, Jim Salinas; Experts speak: Kizer and Bender: Customer service training tips; Make it Happen — Burning the event candle at both ends; Social life: Communicate your expectations with a social media policy; Business profile: The Creation Station; Mini-Boot Camp — Quilt Market: Plan your work and work your plan; Networking — Perspective from an art quilter wannabe; How the magic happens; Ups, downs and investment foresight; Advertisers’ Schoolhouse sessions; Totally Off-Grain: Make your need known and close the door; FREE-to-use pattern: “The No-Sew Cone”
Issue 101 — Hands-on textile fun in France; Product Reviews; Sojourners were we...; Snippets — Small bits of information; Just Ask Jim, Jim Salinas; Trying to figure it out: What’s really working for you?; Experts speak: Kizer and Bender: 15 event ideas to spin the doors; Social life: Five cool tools for managing your social media marketing; Make it Happen — It’s all in the trunk — just waiting to be seen!; Mini-Boot Camp — How to handle negative feedback; Networking — Darlene Zimmerman; Holding things up; Totally Off-Grain: Steal a few moments to gain perspective; FREE-to-use pattern: “French Bread”
Issue 100 — Issue 100!; Snippets; Small bits of information; Just Ask Jim, Jim Salinas; Experts speak: Kizer and Bender: Listen to your customers; Social Life: Get the most from your Facebook fan page; “Wow it”; Create atmosphere and dynamic visual displays; Spring International Quilt Market review; Make it Happen; It is possible to make your own magic; Networking; Who do you know?; Stabilizers 101; Totally Off-Grain: Good bosses can still have fun; FREE-to-use pattern: “Petit Point!”
Issue 99 — Celebrating almost 100 issues!; A few words from our charter subscribers; Product Reviews; Snippets: Small bits of information; Just Ask Jim, Jim Salinas; Experts speak: Kizer and Bender: Make a good first impression; “Wow-it!” — Create atmosphere and dynamic visual displays; Business profile: Sweet Home Quilt Company; Make it Happen — Celebrate milestones with style; Mini-boot camp: Profit 101: the most basic principle; Networking — Sara Trail; Straight from the Hip: There is a market for a variety of styles; Gift market; Patriotic spirit abounds; American Quilt Retailer advertisers’ Schoolhouse sessions; Totally Off-Grain: Complete or “almost” perfectionist?; FREE-to-use pattern: “Beaucoup!”
Issue 98 — Create atmosphere and dynamic visual displays; Snippets: Small bits of information; Just Ask Jim, Jim Salinas; Experts speak: Kizer and Bender: Fix the problem and the customer; Make it Happen — Evaluating the “squeal” factor; Business profile: In Between Stitches; Straight from the Hip: More evidence for branching out; Mini-boot camp: BOMs: The good, the bad and the ugly; Networking — Heather Bailey; Roseann’s winners from CHA; Totally exposed: Avenues for gaining business exposure; Totally Off-Grain: Let go of what always worked; FREE-to-use pattern: “Season’s Star”
Issue 97 — Quilt Market Review: New-style sewing; The big button cover-up; Snippets: Small bits of information; Just Ask Jim, Jim Salinas; Experts speak: Kizer and Bender: 10 ideas to jump-start; Business profile: CityCraft; Lighting new fires for the love of the craft; Painting a bright picture! Fall International Quilt Market Review; Extreme home fabrics; Sometimes a great notion; Make it Happen — Think global, act local; Straight from the Hip: “Just try it” — go ahead, give it a try!; OnDisplay: Motivations for cleaning out and starting fresh; Mini-boot camp: Deliver “knock-your-socks-off: service; Networking — Rebekah Meier; Totally Off-Grain: The wizards of (quilting) Oz; FREE-to-use pattern: “Buttonart”
Issue 96 — A new vision of creative textiles and a little something French!; Snippets: Small bits of information; Just Ask Jim, Jim Salinas; Experts speak: Kizer and Bender: Men vs. women: Shopping styles; Make it happen: Get out of your quilting box; The Creative Connection: Recap of the first-time event; Business profile: Quilter’s General Store; Straight from the Hip: Sizing up the rules; OnDisplay: Follow trends to meet customers’ needs; In the long run: Determine your longarm profitability; Mini-boot camp: Deductible business travel expenses; Networking - ADORNit® - Carolee’s Creations; Quilts or garments: it’s all sewing!; Sewing with knits: What you need to know; Your online presence; All about Etsy™; Totally Off-Grain: How about NOW?; FREE-to-use pattern: “Ooh Lavande! embroidered pincushion”
Issue 95 — Profitable packages: two business models wrapped up together (brick and mortar/online and online only); Snippets: Small bits of information; Just Ask Jim, Jim Salinas; Experts speak: Kizer and Bender: How to plan extraordinary events; Make it happen: Creative online events and promotions; Business profile: eQuilter.com; Straight from the Hip: Ashley’s “theory of relevancy;” OnDisplay: Entice the senses with seasonal delights; In the long run: New trends in longarm quilting; Mini-boot camp: You can compete with online discounters; Machine dealer dynamics; Totally Off-Grain: To do only one thing at a time; FREE-to-use pattern: “Crosswinds”
Issue 94 — Sewing business together - Join the fun!; Snippets: Small bits of information; Just Ask Jim, Jim Salinas; Experts speak: Kizer and Bender: Word of mouth: social media 101; Make it happen: Clubs and groups are the new classes; Market Review: Spring Quilt Market, Minneapolis, Minn.; Straight from the Hip: Simple pleasures and favorite things; OnDisplay: Displays for two unique sets of customers; In the long run: 10 Time- and money-saving tips; Mini-boot camp: Alice in Wonderland: strategic planning; Quilting for Kids: Quilts for Kids & Downy Touch of Comfort; Totally Off-Grain: Feeling guilty; FREE-to-use pattern: “Little Bright Star Baby Quilt”
Issue 93 — Going to Quilt Market in Minneapolis, Minn.?; Snippets: Small bits of information; Just Ask Jim, Jim Salinas; Experts speak: Kizer and Bender: Color psychology in store design; Make it happen: Your event is in the bag; Outside the store: Balancing your business with your life!; Business Profile: Ann Silva’s Bernina Sewing Center; Straight from the Hip: Bridge the generation gap; OnDisplay: Group en mass for a simple makeover of sorts; In the long run: Take a test drive for stunning thread effects; Mini-boot camp: A lesson in cash flow management; Networking: Patty Young of MODKID™; Prepare to hit the floor: Trade show basics for first-time attendees; Totally Off-Grain: Accept it!; FREE-to-use pattern: “Woven as One;” Shop Quilt Market: Advertiser booth numbers
Issue 92 — Grow your business!; Snippets: Small bits of information; Just Ask Jim, Jim Salinas; Experts speak: Kizer and Bender: Make over your sales floor; Make it happen: Growing a garden of quilters; Business Profile: Amy Barickman’s Vintage Notions; Straight from the Hip: Changing the way we do things; In the long run: Longarm quilter’s guide to batting; Mini-boot camp: Eliminate frustration with procedures; Beyond the basics: novelty threads; CHA 2010 Winter Report; Totally Off-Grain: It’s doing the most that counts; FREE-to-use patterns: “Button Flowers” and “Button Mushrooms”
Issue 91 — New year! New Look!; Snippets: Small bits of information; Just Ask Jim, Jim Salinas; Experts speak: Kizer and Bender: Building brand equity; Make it happen: Demonstrate notions and techniques; Business Profile: Blue Bamboo; OnDisplay: Calling all online and brick and mortar stores; Straight from the Hip: Make connecting online easy; In the long run: Free motion quilting; Mini-boot camp: Boundaries that give freedom; Networking: Patricia Bravo; Thread basics 101; Shop hoppers hit the highways; Totally Off-Grain: Justification not needed, discernment required; FREE-to-use pattern: “Patience, the Sittin’ Chicken”
Issue 90 —
A bird’s eye view of what’s new: Fall Quilt Market Review; Snippets: Small bits of information; Be a trendwatcher; Just Ask Jim, Jim Salinas; Make it happen: Whirling through winter; OnDisplay: Plan transformations to greet new customers; Piecing together social media’s potential; In the long run: Establish good pricing and service policies; Mini-boot camp: Living with employees; Networking: Jackie Clark; Thread matters; A new twist on block of the month programs; Off-Grain: Tough sledding; FREE-to-use pattern: “Holy Snowballs!”
Issue 89 — One pattern - two ways! This issue’s FREE-to-use pattern gives you several options. “Fruit Cocktail” and “Apple Tree” are the same pattern, but with two different names and descriptions. Download one or download them both. You decide how you want to market it! Use bright fabrics for “Fruit Cocktail” and use traditional fabrics for “Apple Tree.” Try the “bonus” holly-shaped leaf and holiday fabrics for a more festive look.
Issue 88 — Quilt Market Spotlight: Pittsburgh, 2009; Snippets: Small bits of information; Just Ask Jim, Jim Salinas; Straight from the hip: What browsing blogs can teach you about young sewers!; Gray markets: gray area; Make it happen: Design an event to show off your gift selections; OnDisplay: Translating market booth displays to work for you; In the long run: Education and professional development; OnTrack: Proper procedures for orders and payment; Networking: Michele Muska; Merchandising for children’s clothing; Off-Grain: Simply let it go!; FREE-to-use pattern: “Speedbumps”; plus “Pillow Speedbumps”
Issue 87 — Retreat; Connecting with other humans; Visit American Quilt Retailer’s new Web site; Just Ask Jim, Jim Salinas; Straight from the hip: Take advantage of established marketing; OnDisplay: Freshen up, lighten up, brighten up!; Make it happen: Put the “treat” in retreat!; Sew, you want to hold a quilt retreat!; Business Profile: Scottie Dog Quilts; In the long run: What kind of quilter do you want to be?; Networking: Anna Maria Horner; Opportunity knocks!; Support the Alliance for American Quilts; Off-Grain: Run away! Run away!; Vacation and retreat display; FREE-to-use pattern: “Ship Shape”
Issue 86 — Put on a happy face and celebrate (something!); Just Ask Jim, Jim Salinas; Straight from the hip: How to get started in embellishments; OnDisplay: Make great displays a top priority; Make it happen: Come on — celebrate the good times!; OnTrack: Betting on experience and a good feeling; Business Profile: Merrily We Quilt Along; In the long run: Questions to ask about longarms; Networking: Jay McCarroll; CH — Special Report; Business Life: What you need to know; Off-Grain: Finding our happy place; FREE-to-use pattern: “Free as a Breeze!”
Issue 85 — The whole sweet story; Star-crossed with celebrity status; Just Ask Jim, Jim Salinas; Straight from the hip: Low-cost plans to attract customers; OnDisplay: Green-up your shop for spring; Make it happen: It’s easy being green and making green; Facing the recession head-on: The outlook for 2009; Houston Market Review 2008; Buyers’ Guide; In the long run: Longarm quilting with the Queen and I; OnTrack: Goodbye, 2008! Hello, 2009!; Networking: Bananafana; Off-Grain: Managing expectations; FREE-to-use pattern: “Flutter by Me”
Issue 84 — A simply charming idea; Just Ask Jim, Jim Salinas; Straight from the hip: Blogging — a fresh way to connect; OnDisplay: Displays of affection; Spread the love around — events for February sales; Text Message: “I love sewing” month; Business profile: Rosebud’s Cottage; POS Power: Holiday survival; Networking: Clothworks; Business life: Watching your credit; Off-Grain: The end of the world as we know it; FREE-to-use pattern: “Soft-Hearted”
Issue 83 — Handmade gifts unwrap savings; Business life: Amazon.com buys Fabric.com; Just Ask Jim, Jim Salinas; Straight from the hip: Handmade — good for all; OnDisplay: Four different kinds of gift shoppers; Business profile: Eddie’s Quilting Bee; Text Message: Advance your placement at the college level; POS Power: Increase sales, part three; OnTrack: Fabric development; Networking: Martingale & Co.; Off-Grain: Changing gears; FREE-to-use pattern: “Waste Knot”
Issue 82 — Crazy for cupcakes!; Sugar rush!; Just Ask Jim, Jim Salinas; Straight from the hip: Market fresh; OnDisplay: A recipe for sweet displays; Text Message: Creative summertime suggestions; Portland Market Review 2008; Buyers’ Guide; POS Power: Increase sales, part two — boosting ticket sales; OnTrack: Happy birthday to us!; Networking: Benartex; A cool online marketing tool — Moda’s Fabricmatcher; Off-Grain: Help with the chores; FREE-to-use pattern: “What’s up, cupcake?”
Issue 81 — The mighty tote saves the world; Shipping business: ways to save; Just Ask Jim, Jim Salinas; Straight from the hip: We’ve come a long way in two years; POS Power: Increase sales, part one; Text Message: Project Runway, part two; Business profile: Quiltique, Henderson, Nevada; OnTrack: I just want a cookie; Networking: Golden Threads; Sewing mamas: fun for moms and kids; It’s all about the “look;” Off-Grain: Friends and money; FREE-to-use pattern: “The Mighty Tote”
Issue 80 — Quilts are in again!; Stellar Sellers 2007; Business life: From a banker’s eye view; Just Ask Jim, Jim Salinas; Straight from the hip: Surfing the Web, part two; Text Message: Project Runway energizes sewing; Independents forecast business: platforms 2008; OnTrack: What to do when your cash flow becomes a trickle; POS Power: Overcoming POS hang-ups; Networking: United Notions/Moda; Off-Grain: You, too, can become a recovering multi-tasker; FREE-to-use pattern: “Make Momma Happy”
Issue 79 — Little is big in retail; Just Ask Jim, Jim Salinas; Straight from the hip: Surfing the Web, part one; Text Message: For our furry friends; Fall Market Review; OnTrack: Super simple second Saturday; POS Power: POS systems before opening; Networking: Wrights; Off-Grain: Are you open for business; FREE-to-use pattern: “Hana, a spring blossom”
Issue 78 — Keep in step: Learn your vocabulary words; Before you sign the lease; Just Ask Jim, Jim Salinas; Straight from the hip: Examining potential customers; Text Message: T-shirt Tote bag; Business profile: Craft-O-Rama, Austin, Texas; OnTrack: Saturday Sampler refresher; POS Power: Customer loyalty programs; TechSupport: Blogging; Networking: C&T Publishing; Off-Grain: Take the high road and let ’em wallow; FREE-to-use pattern: “Bubble Blooms”
Issue 77 — Crafting as “craftism” all with a youthful spin; Just Ask Jim, Jim Salinas; Straight from the hip: Understand your Gen Xs and Ys; Text Message: “The Think Green Grocery Bag”; POS Power: Selling products online; OnTrack: Peer networking: Does it work?; Business profile: Greenbaum’s Quilted Forest; Tech Support: Are you dressed for the occasion; Networking: Michael Miller Fabrics; Off-Grain: Successful press; FREE-to-use pattern: “Snow Crystal”
Issue 76 — Fall festival ideas; Business life: Millions in potential sales for the independent; Just Ask Jim, Jim Salinas; Straight from the hip: Three basic needs of the 25-to-35-year-old customer; Make it You: It’s just the beginning of a revolution; Salt Lake City Quilt Market Review; POS Power: Interface your POS and accounting systems; OnTrack: Quilt Market afterglow; Tech Support: Interpret your secret data; Networking: Donna Wilder; Off-Grain: When private goes public; FREE-to-use pattern: “Punkin Heads”
Issue 75 — Our 75th issue! Brand your independence: It’s your best asset; Business life: Someone else’s loss could be your gain; Christmas in July; Just Ask Jim, Jim Salinas; Straight from the hip: Practical applications of change; Business profile: Purl Soho brings Manhattan style to quilting; POS Power: Integrate your POS system and Web site; OnTrack: Service providers connect; Tech Support: Find and decipher secret data; Networking: The Electric Quilt Co.; Off-Grain: Help your customers engage in the process; FREE-to-use pattern: “As you like it,” a holiday tree skirt
Issue 74 — Change is good: Give new ideas a chance with a youthful state of mind; Meet our cover girl display ideas; Business life: From an outsider’s viewpoint; Just Ask Jim, Jim Salinas; Straight from the hip: Results from an informal survey; Mark Lipinski’s Small Change: Invertising; Quilt Shops: The changing scenery, shop owners exchange ideas; POS Power: Answers to the top 10 FAQs; OnTrack: High-end office printers; Tech Support: Unique selling positions; Technica: Setup a photo-to-fabric department; Networking: Alexander Henry; Off-Grain: Get your groove back!; FREE-to-use pattern: “In and Out,” a picnic quilt
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