February 28, 2013

QuiltCon — a big success!

Austin is so fun to visit!

My son attended the University of Texas, and he and his wife were married right on the campus. In all our visits over the years, I don’t think we ever encountered a rainy or even cloudy day. On the day of the wedding, December 30, 2011, the sky in Austin was blazing blue and it was 75 degrees. Other than that traffic, Austin with its fine weather, and creative, funky atmosphere is pretty well glorious.

So how appropriate to hold the first QuiltCon show hosted by The Modern Quilt Guild in Austin, Texas. The show was not large, but entirely pleasant to attend. And, many big names from the industry were there wanting to see exactly what the show was about and to learn more about the modern quilt movement. I loved seeing the bright marquee in front of the Austin Convention Center flashing QuiltCon and “modern quilt show.” If you’re not familiar with the quilting world, one might think the words “modern” and “quilts” have nothing to do with each other. I attended on Friday and attendance had thinned out by late afternoon. But, I hope the marquee and the story in the Austin American Statesman drew crowds on the following two days.

While in Austin, my husband stopped at home to give our little doggie Gracie a break and some exercise. As he was driving, he heard a caller on a local radio show ask “I’m 24 years old and I love modern quilts. Does anyone out there know where I can learn to make them and be with other people who like them?” How’s that for a random, wild coincidence! I hope someone called the station to give her an answer — as evidenced in Austin — the interest is growing!

February 20, 2013

Heading to QuiltCon this weekend?

Presented by The Modern Quilt Guild, QuiltCon opens in Austin Texas, tomorrow, February 21, and runs through February 24. This first ever totally “modern” show is a also a first for The Modern Quilt Guild. There has been a lot of industry buzz about it and I know the ladies organizing it have put in a lot of work to make it happen. Organizing a show is never easy. Organizing a show for the first time is bound to be even more difficult. I wish them smooth sailing and that all goes well — I know it will be a great success!

I intend to drive down Friday morning for a quick tour. Hey, if you’re coming from other areas of the country — Thursday may still be sort of rainy, but the weekend looks to be quite pleasant — and most likely warmer than wherever you might be coming from. Austin is a great place to be — good food and cool places to visit. If you have extra time be certain to check out South Congress Street. I’m hoping to have time to stop at Uncommon Objects. It looks like my kind of place! Check out this True Up blog post for more things to do in the Austin area.

The new modern movement is not necessarily just young women. The clean fresh lines and colors are attracting a new audience of women who are in their 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s and 60s who just like the feel of modern. Modern quilts are so often based on traditional patterns and designs — think about it what could be more esthetically modern than an antique Amish quilt? Check out The Modern Quilt Guild Flickr group for examples of their modern quilts or check out my Pinterest board called “modern quilts” — I love to collect photos for inspiration. You don’t have to order any different fabrics — although if you do, start with a selection of solids. Some of the best modern quilts mix fabrics up together — I can’t wait to see what’s in the show!

So tell us, what is happening with the modern movement in your area? Is there a chapter of the Modern Quilt Guild? Have you tried hosting an event or open house for them? Have you created a modern area in your shop? Share what you’ve learned and how it’s working for you.

I’ll report on the weekend when I return and hope to see some of you there! — Susan

January 30, 2013

Valentine’s for your customers

Our readers tell us they love our FREE-to-use patterns! Designed to be a sales tool, American Quilt Retailer started this popular feature way back in our first issue published in 1994! Those of you with a good collection of back issues, check out these issues:

Issues 8, Folk Heart Flag (15″ x 17″)

Issue 24, Hearts for you my friend (20″ x 20″)

Issue 48, Old Love (22.5″ x 22.5″)

Issue 54, Sweet Heart (43.5″ x 43.5″)

Issue 60, In Bloom (60.5″ x 60.5″)

  Make  a quick sample of one of these love-ly, heart-themed quilts! Cut some kits! Create a display! Bake some cookies! Then post photos of your sample, kits, display and cookies on our Flickr page here. Or, post photos on our Facebook page here. You may give the pattern away with the purchase of a kit. Offer it “free with purchase.” If you make kits, perhaps you could hold a drawing for one free kit. Let us help you sell fabric and notions. If you can’t find your old copies, we do have some back issues available here or you can purchase our FREE-to-use Pattern Set with a collection of 60 past FREE-to-use patterns here. Have a sweet time! — Susan

January 29, 2013

Make every day a “visit your local fabric store” day!

With so many deadlines to meet, intentionally failing to meet one feels gleefully defiant. We all have deadlines or other business goals to meet, but January and February are different. This time of year can be like pondering and floating on still water before picking up the oars again.

I haven’t yet made my new years resolutions. But, hey, I haven’t broken them yet either! No guilt here! With this slow, fresh start, resolutions are still formulating in my head, much like most of the stories I write.

One of our writers, Callie Works-Leary owner of CityCraft in Dallas sent me a link to “Is Target’s Price Matching Policy a Mistake?” from the Harvard Business Review Blog Network. It’s an interesting piece on the continuing discussion of how brick and mortar stores can compete and participate with online sales.

Author Rafi Mohammed’s said “The key is to view in-store and web shopping as two different service options, and to let customers choose which works best for them. After all, gas stations charge different prices for full vs. self-serve gasoline, and airlines set a premium to book a reservation by telephone compared to the web.” In another example, I just read of a British museum which charges a higher entry fee to attend popular exhibits after hours, thus avoiding the major crowds and actually being able to see the paintings.

As a consumer, I base my buying decisions on a combination of need/want, quality/value, price for the quality and value, convenience and service.

Assuming you offer needed (or wanted) goods at a reasonable value, while implementing fine customer service in a convenient and pleasing manner, you are offering a different service options to your customers whether they buy on- or off-line.

With last week’s “visit your local quilt shop” day past, I want to encourage you to make every day ”visit your local fabric store!” Really, if you stop for a moment and think: Every day should be “visit your local fabric store” day — if you are the owner. This is your goal, this is your job and responsibility. It is what you provide for them that will make every day a “visit your local fabric store” day.

Here’s a resolution for you when you are ready to start paddling: Focus all your marketing, whether subtle or not so subtle, on the service option your business offers. Highlight all the extras. So much of it is education.

Wishing you peace, a fresh start with renewed energy for 2013! — Susan

August 31, 2012

Ways to make your shop a standout!

The new issue of American Quilt Retailer is going in the mail as we speak! Sure am glad we’re not all going to sit on the living room floor tonight labeling each one. Although, thinking back, that was always a fun pizza-sort-of-night with the kids. Oh, well … I think we’ll just continue to let our mailing house to the job!

From the cover of this issue, you can tell the centerpiece tells about my trip with French General to Chateau Dumas in southern, France. This year as we dyed with the beautiful woad blue, we all used some shibori techniques — tying, folding and binding before dyeing — yielding unusual and unexpected patterns which you can see in the scarves on the cover. Why not try some dyeing and shibori in your shop? It’s fun, creative and something unexpected you can offer your customers — something different to make your shop a standout. Read this feature and give it some thought.

Here’s a quick preview of some of the other articles: Jim Salinas details six equally-important mistakes retailers often make that impact profits and growth — the things to not do! Kizer and Bender assign some “pre-holiday” homework — a check list of things to do now in preparation for the holiday retail season. Roseann Kermes offers an idea you might not have had — be a mentor! Giving comes back to you in so many ways. Callie Works-Leary will make your head spin as she details a “day in her social media life.” Dawn Farrier details another way to make an impactful, lasting impression — in your restroom! Hey, everybody needs one and every shop has one, right?  Linda Griepentrog helps you be a better show vendor. And, the pattern is called “French Bistro.” It’s a red and white check table mat with lots of marketing potential.

Let me say how nice it was to read all the comments from my post earlier in August. There are good, standout shopping experiences out there! Thank you to everyone who shared a story! Peg from Connect the Block will receive a fabric bundle for her story about Starbucks. I agree, Starbucks is right up there in consistent customers service, and I always wondered how they remembered so much. Hidden cameras!

Another bundle will go to Kelli Belden for sharing the story of her husband’s experience in Creekside Quilts In Clive, Iowa. We need to take good care of guys who think so sweetly to buy (and pick out) fabric for their wives! Creekside gets one more bundle for their superior service helping Kelli’s husband!

Now is there really need to say one more time how wonderful the French General trip is? I positively get goosebumps thinking about it. Want to come join us in 2013? Kaari and her helpers will be there, I’m going on week one, and Amy Butler is the guest artisan for both weeks! A link for signups is below, but don’t wait too long — week two is already sold out with a wait list!

https://www.frenchgeneral.com/chateaugetaway2013/signups.php

I love woad dyeing so much, I’m flying out to French General on September 15. Denise Lambert, the woad expert from France is coming for a woad workshop right here in the states. I think there are still openings for this — you can have a little taste of the French experience and dye something blue at the same time!

Look for workshop info here: https://www.frenchgeneral.com/

Hope you enjoy the new issue and find it informative! — Susan