American Quilt Retailer Archives - Page 23 of 27

Posted on August 9, 2018 by AQR Piece by Piece — Leave a comment

JAFTEX Facebook Live Shop Tour Challenge

This August, the president of JAFTEX Scott Fortunoff is hosting a competition for the opportunity to have him visit your store!

For those of you who don’t know, the collection of companies under the JAFTEX name include The Blank Quilting Corp., FreeSpirit Fabrics, Henry Glass Fabrics, Studio E Fabrics, Fabric Editions, and A.E. Nathan Co., Inc.

The idea for the competition stemmed from a couple quilt shop tours Scott has been taking this summer to highlight some amazing quilt shops around the United States that really go above and beyond.

After the first few tours, Scott started to receive many requests to visit others. That’s when Scott came up with the idea for the challenge, what better way to make the best use of time and being efficient than by going on virtual tours?

Here’s the gist: Post a 15 minute video of your brick and mortar store (either on Facebook live or just on your company’s Facebook page) during the month of August and tag @jaftexpresident. The video with the most likes on the Scott Fortunoff Executive Facebook Page will win the opportunity to have him visit your store and get some free Jaftex fabrics! Scott also requests that there be some charitable component of his visit. This part of the competition includes the U.S. and Canada (but excludes Alaska and Hawaii).

If you’re reading this outside of that territory—have no fear! The competition is global, and the video with the most likes outside of the U.S. and Canada (including you Alaska and Hawaii) will get 10 free bolts of any JAFTEX fabric shipped to your store at Scott’s expense.

Some tips for how to make your video great include practice, tidying up, and having fun! Show off what makes your store different, include any events or specials your store hosts, and show off some JAFTEX fabrics while you’re at it.

The best way to shoot a video from your phone is to hold it horizontally, make sure you have good wifi, move and talk slowly, and check out the lighting before you start. You can find out more tips and details about the competition at Scott Fortunoff’s blog.

If you’re looking for more information to guide you in owning a retail business, subscribe to American Quilt Retailer today. Already a subscriber? No worries—join our Facebook group for insights and dialogue from industry specialists like you.

Posted on August 1, 2018 by AQR Piece by Piece — Leave a comment

The Pursuit of Design

I was reading an article today about UI/UX design and I couldn’t help but to think about the quilting industry.

UI/UX design is a cousin to graphic design, think about every time you open an app or even turn on your computer. The words and graphics on the page start the user experience you are going through, what happens when you click on those words or graphics continues that experience and overall influences—subconsciously or not—what you think about that company or brand. (Check out the above linked article for an even better/more in depth explanation if you’re interested.)

So what does UI/UX have to do with quilting?

Honestly, nothing. But the word “design” does.

What does design mean? As creatives, I think we can relate to the fact that design isn’t a concrete idea, nor are the tools and processes used to get to a design.

Think of your store as a design. (After all, you did design it!) Every time a customer walks through your front door, the experience begins through sights, smells, sounds, and more. Every time someone visits your website, or scrolls through your Instagram or Pinterest, that experience continues. And subconscious or not, they will start making assumptions to associate with you or your business.

When you think about it like that, doesn’t that change how you view every thing you put into your store? Doesn’t that change your perspective on where you get inspiration, and what you do with that inspiration?

I don’t know about you but it made me begin to ask questions about the companies, brands, and products I love. It ultimately made my creations more creative because this idea made me see things in a new light and look for things I hadn’t been searching for.

Even if this article doesn’t give you food for thought, I hope you have the same epiphany moment that I experienced to get your store one step closer to what you want it to be.

Posted on July 25, 2018 by AQR Piece by Piece — Leave a comment

Dog Days of Summer

The dog days of summer are upon us. Friday afternoons are spent counting down the minutes and itching to leave. And Sunday scaries are even worse with coworkers taking advantage of their vacation time, knowing the week’s work load will be even more than it already is.

The weather is the best it’s going to be all year long, and yet I’m still completely uninspired.

Here are some suggestions to get through this summer slump.

Change your scene. That’s right, take a vacation and unplug, baby. Work will still be there when you get back. I know it requires some forethought but getting the heck out of dodge can help you appreciate everything you have when you return. And yes, it also stinks to come back to a pile of things to do, but to really ward off burnout make sure you take as much time as you need to come back feeling inspired and refreshed.
Read and write. As if we don’t do enough of that already. Reading anything and everything you can will broaden your knowledge, and writing it down will help you decipher those true strokes of genius when you stumble upon them in a long lost note in your phone.
Workout. Making time for the gym is definitely the hardest part about a workout (first find a routine that works for you), but making that time will make you a better boss/employee/creative/etc. in the long run. Take some time for you, let those endorphins release, and reap the benefits.
Bask in boring. That’s right, sometime our best ideas are born out of the most boring of days. That’s because our minds want and need to be stimulated. Once you think you’re going to go crazy, the creative gears start turning.

Don’t forget that it’s okay to take care of yourself, being a small business owner (and living out our dreams) requires hard work and means were constantly on the grind. If this summer is stifling your creative process, take some time to get back on track.

Posted on July 18, 2018 by AQR Piece by Piece — Leave a comment

How to Grow Your Email List

Email blasts are one of the most insightful forms of digital marketing. The statistics that free sites, like MailChimp and Constant Contact, provide open up a world of ideas for how to get your ideas out there fast.

Check out these tips to learn how you can grow your email list with quality customers.

Leave a sign-up sheet. You’d be surprised how many people will leave their information when you talk about everything your email blasts have to offer. Also print off your social media timeline so clients can get a sneak peak of your awesome feed and gain more followers that way too.
Always carry your business card. Yup, this old trick really does work. Business cards provide a tangible way to recall discussions and act as a constant reminder of your business when left on a table or desk.
Organize a giveaway. The giveaway can double as a sign up drive to reach goals you’ve set for yourself on how many more people you want to add. Keep track of the data during and after the giveaway to make sure the recruits you got are still engaging with your content.
Connect through social media. Encourage people to sign up for your newsletter in the bio of your Instagram and Pinterest. Sprinkle a couple posts in your feed every now and then reminding people to sign up. And don’t forget to reverse the process; always include your social media handles in your email blasts.
Don’t give up on bounce backs. That’s right, it’s okay to be pesky. Sometimes reaching out can help troubleshoot, or provide more insight on what your customers want to see. The more you tailor your content to what your customers want, the more excited they will be when they see your notification come through.

Have other tips for what’s worked for you? We’d love to hear them! Comment or start a discussion in our Facebook page about how you’ve grown your online following.

Posted on July 13, 2018 by AQR Piece by Piece — Leave a comment

Fox Chapel Publishing Acquires Landauer Publishing

Fox Chapel Publishing, a high-quality craft book publisher, acquired Landauer Publishing, an independent quilt-publishing company.

Landauer Publishing was founded by Jeramy Lanigan Landauer in 1991. The company has over 100 quilt and needle titles in circulation, and Landauer has served in a variety of executive positions to get her where she is today, including Funk & Wagnalls, Times Mirror Magazines, and Meredith Corporation.

The collection of authors under the Landauer name include Lynette Jensen who wrote the Thimbleberries® line and Edyita Star who is known for her quilts of both color and beauty. Quilt lovers will already be familiar with the quilt makers known as Sew Kind of Wonderful and their chart-topping book Mini Wonderful Curves. Landauer is not only a trusted brand within the quilting industry but they are also known for their books targeting beginning crafters.

Fox Chapel Publishing will maintain the Landauer website, blog, marketing, and sales initiatives. Some of the veteran members of the Landauer team will remain in their roles including Laurel Albright and Sue Voegtlin who were responsible for art direction and photography for new books. Jeramy Lanigan Landauer will also continue to work, just now under the Fox Chapel name.

As for Fox Chapel, they are known for a wide range of titles including hobbies, crafts, and lifestyle. The company focuses on top notch artisan and craft books and publish more than 1500 titles and two quarterly magazines. Other brands under the Fox Chapel name include Happy Fox Books, Quiet Fox, CompanionHouse Books, Design Originals, IMM Lifestyle Books, and Creative Homeowner.

Posted on July 11, 2018 by AQR Piece by Piece — Leave a comment

Texas Quilt Museum’s Must-See Summer Exhibit

You’re not going to want to miss the Texas Quilt Museum’s latest exhibits that run until September 30, 2018.

A Nuestra Senora, La Virgen de Guadalupe.

The first collection, titled “Sue Garman: Traditional Masterworks,” features the works of Sue Garman, best known for her website ComeQuilt.com. For four decades, Garman shared her techniques, patterns, and advice with fellow quilters. She won many prizes and her quilts have been published in multiple books.

Not only was Garman talented in quilting, but she was gifted in math, working a lifelong career as an executive at NASA. This dedication shows in the detail and precision of her quilts. Even though Garman passed away in 2017, her two daughters remain active on the ComeQuilt.com website.

The second collection on display is “Comfort and Glory: Selections from the Briscoe Center’s Winedale Quilt Collection,” which will feature 14 quilts from the Winedale Quilt Collection, a scholarly resource at the Dolph Briscoe Center for American History at the University of Texas at Austin. All of these quilts on display along with 100 others will be available for purchase and published in Comfort and Glory: Two Centuries of American Quilts from the Briscoe Center.

Three superstars that will be on display include the Troutman Quilt by Joanne Troutman that includes improvised red and green appliqué as well as the famous “Betsy Ross of Texas” and “A Nuestra Señora, La Virgen de Guadalupe” by Beth Thomas Kennedy.

If you’re going to be in the La Grange, Texas area, you’re not going to want to miss this once-in-a-lifetime collection of some of the world’s most famous quilts. To find out about hours, addresses, and more, please visit texasquiltmuseum.org.

*Inspiration for this post came from the Texas Quilt Museum.

Posted on June 27, 2018 by AQR Piece by Piece — Leave a comment

Fourth of July Crafts

Even though it seems like summer has just started, the Fourth of July is already here! Check out these five craft ideas you can add to your window display to celebrate the holiday of the summer.

American Flag Backdrop. Cut up strips of red, white, and combined red and white material you have in stock at your store and tie them to burlap string. Find some blue material with stars and pin to the top left corner—and there you have it, a homemade flag that doubles as a backdrop!
Handkerchief quilt. Make the quickest quilt ever with red, white, and blue handkerchiefs. You’ll need three of each color, and after a little sewing with quarter-inch seams, you’ll have a patriotic quilt hanging in your window in no time.
Cardstock wreath. Wreaths are every crafters favorite project because they’re known for being quick, easy, and cute. You’ll need red, white, and blue cardstock, and cardboard a little smaller than what you want your wreath to be. Roll the cardstock into cones, and glue them to the cardboard, stacking them on top of each other in a circle. Cover the center with a fanned piece of cardstock in the color of your choice.
Clothespin flags. Probably the most self explanatory craft, paint clothespins and glue them together so they make a miniature version of our nation’s flag.
Patriotic string lights. You’ll need red, white, and blue yarn, 5-inch balloons, petroleum jelly, and string lights. Inflate the balloons. Soak the yarn in two parts petroleum jelly to one part water. Tie the yarn to the tied end of the balloon, and wrap. Wait 48 hours. Pop the balloons and remove them from the yarn. Place balls of string over lights and voilà! Your own DIY string lights.

Don’t fret if time is short, these crafts will transform your window display so you’re ready to celebrate.

Posted on June 20, 2018 by AQR Piece by Piece — Leave a comment

Let’s Talk Money

Money never seems to be easy. Not easy to talk about, not easy to understand, and especially not to get.

But whoever said there’s no such thing as free money never applied for a small business grant. Grants are a great way to give your business the extra financial push it needs to meet it’s next goal.

When it comes to setting yourself apart from the rest of the applicants it’s important to do your research well ahead of time. Make a list of the grants you could qualify for, their deadlines, and their requirements. Be sure to give yourself plenty of time to meet these steps, and begin to schedule a rough timeline to complete each task.

Make sure you don’t have to force justification for these grants; it will show in your materials if the fit doesn’t seem natural. And don’t forget to search for local or regional grants that may be better suited for your area’s economic needs (and thus a better fit for your business).

Next, seek professional help. Sometimes you have to spend money to make money. Or utilize resources that have experience in grants, like the Better Business Bureau or The American Association of Grant Professionals. If you have a friend with experience in the professional writing world or with a stellar set of skills and experience in editing, then you’ve hit the jackpot if they’re willing to give you help for free.

Often times these grants can seem like a pipe dream, but it doesn’t hurt to try. And with most things, persistence pays off. If you don’t get it in year one, try again. With each year you apply, the more the committee will recognize your effort and the less daunting the process will seem.

Posted on June 13, 2018 by AQR Piece by Piece — Leave a comment

Sewing Machine Day is June 13

I’m not sure if many realize but today is a holiday that us creatives can all get behind… National Sewing Machine Day that is!

Believe it or not, there is a day devoted to one of our favorite tools, and that just so happens to be June 13.

In honor of Sewing Machine Day, I thought I’d take a moment to appreciate both its history and the best machines on the market today.

The sewing machine was invented in 1829 by Barthélemy Thimonnier and revolutionized the textile industry into what we know it as today.

Below are the top five best machines on the market (for a review on a variety of machines based on skill check out this article):

Brother Computerized Sewing and Quilting Machine. This machine is best for all skill levels and blows its competitors off the charts with the amount of options it provides, including 130 different stitches and 8 different buttonholes. This isn’t the cheapest model, but you get your money’s worth.
Singer Heavy Duty Extra-High Sewing Machine. A light weight option for beginning to mid-level skills. Versatile stitch options and non-computerized.
Michley Desktop Sewing Machine. A machine most definitely for beginners; although it has it’s flaws (like no threading assistance) it is a low priced option for learning the trade.
Janome Sewing Machine. This straightforward machine is good for both quilting and sewing. A bit on the pricier side, the plethora of stitching options makes the price worth it. Note the built-in stitches are non-adjustable.
Nex Free-Arm Crafting Mending Machine. Yet another tool for beginners, its durable and compact features make it great for teaching, especially if you’re going to travel. Of course, this causes some minor inconveniences like the knot threading and the foot jamming. Includes 12 different built-in stitches.

Take some time this holiday to not only enjoy your craft, but appreciate the advancements that have made it possible.

Posted on June 6, 2018 by AQR Piece by Piece — Leave a comment

Spring Market Recap

Every year, people come from around the world to attend the International Quilt Market and promote their craft through hands-on and visual demonstrations.

I’m sure many of you kept up with American Quilt Retailer’s journey to Portland for the Spring International Quilt Market—but if you didn’t, here is what you missed.

American Quilt Retailer Editor Heidi Kaisand was tasked by her son to bring food back from each state, and although the feat wasn’t easy, you can bet Heidi went above and beyond.

Llamas continue to be a hit, as seen by the abundance of craft displays at market. Another craft tip included putting wool applique in picture frames if you don’t have enough time for a quilt.

Other trends included batiks (yay!) and tertiary colors, otherwise known as colors hyphenated on the wheel, such as red-orange, yellow-green, and red-violet.

People got creative with certain themes, like wanderlust, through travel-inspired crafts, as well as mythology which turned out to be too cute for kids. Another trend moving into the craft world is farmhouse living through home decor.

As always, quilt market provides an opportunity to meet with industry celebrities (through events hosted by companies like Moda) and provide a laid back atmosphere to find out what they’re up to. These conversations allow you to hear their stories, how they started, and what products they like.

Check out more from market through AQR’s social media posts using the hashtag #8statesin8days, or download the free digital copy of the more sights and sounds.