I received more email responses to last week’s Blast than ever before. A few lines from some of those responses:
From PG in Hyannis, MA: “Your message is one that all who enjoy a place, who, unknowingly take it for granted, be it a quilt shop, restaurant, or any other establishment that brings them pleasure, or, provides a special personal service, needs to hear.”
From JR in Plymouth, MA: “it may be convenient to purchase items online but the personal service and the ability to peruse the book or get an opinion on a fabric selection far outweighs the online experience”
From JK (an American living in Nigeria): “…I actually have to SEE fabric, even thread, before I'm comfortable saying that I'll put it in a project. Online simply doesn't always convey everything that you need to know about the item you wish to use. In terms of advice, well, there is just no substitute for talking it over in person..."
From CC in Ireland: “…want to express my views as a visitor to America. I am English, living in Ireland & visiting the States for the last 20 + years. The highlight of my trips is to visit shops like Heartbeat. We have nothing like you in Ireland & the few shops I visited on my journeys home to England have now disappeared. I would hate to think the same could happen in the States where my love of quilting first began. I can look at all sorts on the internet but there is nothing like walking into a real quilting shop & handling the fabrics & meeting people with the same love of fabric & sewing…”
From CG in Oxford, MA :”…I’d rather deal with small shops than online. It is only a rare occasion that I buy on line. I am very old fashioned. I rather deal in person and have the one on one contact. I understand what you mean by our shops going. I am also a garment maker and it is very hard to get items…”
From Hawaii: “…I do prefer going to a quilt shop for all the reasons you stated and especially for the camaraderie of the staff and shoppers. BUT, I've retired and moved to the boonies in paradise. It would take me two hours to drive to the nearest fabric store and 90% of the time, they don't have what I want/need. So, internet shopping is my best bet to get what I'm looking for…”
I did expect some negative feedback which never came! For the customer from Hawaii, my answer to her and to all of you is that you might need to shop online because there is no quilt shop near you (anymore) or you might be homebound for multiple reasons. However, I urge you to shop online with quilt shops rather than discounters. The few dollars you might be saving is better spent with a quilt shop, helping it to stay in business through these difficult times.
Next week I will start a series on how to choose fabric for a quilt. Until then, stay cool, be happy and sew a bit, it will lower your blood pressure and make you smile.
PS Be sure to visit Heartbeat when you come to the Bayberry Quilt Show in Harwich, MA on August 5, 6, 7. We are having FREE demonstrations by Shirley Henriksen of Brewer (one of our important distributors). You will find it informative, you’ll get refreshments, and you will be in air conditioning!
Monday, July 26, 2010
Monday, July 19, 2010
July 19, 2010
Sometimes I write the Monday Blast at Heartbeat on Monday; sometimes at home on Sunday. This is a Sunday night Blast. At home I'm more relaxed and therefore, my thoughts more reflective.
We (friends, family, and customers) are more conscious these days about where and how we spend our money, how much to pay, and whether we really need it at all, but stop for a moment and think about the future.
In our quilt shops we often hear customers talking about how they can purchase an item for less online than in the “brick and mortar” store where they are standing. I understand most of us want/need to economize. We quilters will continue to purchase gorgeous fabric, new books, and patterns, or quilting “stuff”. Remember that a ‘real’ store provides many ‘free’ services to you. Free to you, but not without cost to the shop. If you go elsewhere to purchase, eventually the store and those services will disappear. Choosing to make purchases through online discounters, chains, or craft stores rather than patronizing your local quilt shop may very well contribute to the shop's demise.
Some of the services you get from a quilt shop, in person or by telephone:
✔ Advice on selecting fabric for any project
✔ Assistance with sewing problems
✔ Information on new products and feedback from other customers
✔ Hands on classes
✔ Interacting with other quilters (at Heartbeat there are many international quilters)
✔ A quilt shop to call if you are homebound or on vacation and need a special piece of fabric to complete a project.
✔ A place to browse through fabric to see colors and patterns come alive and hug that special bolt you love most!
✔ Comfort and a friendly atmosphere when you need “someone to talk to”
You get the idea! Please email me to tell me what benefits you get from visiting a quilt shop.
Shops are closing at an alarming rate across the US. Stores like Heartbeat, regardless of their size, provide more than just a product. Information is shared between customers, teachers, and staff. The quilt shop is, as my friend, Marsha McCloskey, told me many years ago, “The Other Place”. Some people hang out at bars, sports events, and other locations. But for us the “Other Place” is our local quilt shop.
So, the next time you consider a purchase or are simply in need of inspiration, patronize your local quilt shop. If you choose not to support your local shop, eventually the 'Other Place' will be no more.
We (friends, family, and customers) are more conscious these days about where and how we spend our money, how much to pay, and whether we really need it at all, but stop for a moment and think about the future.
In our quilt shops we often hear customers talking about how they can purchase an item for less online than in the “brick and mortar” store where they are standing. I understand most of us want/need to economize. We quilters will continue to purchase gorgeous fabric, new books, and patterns, or quilting “stuff”. Remember that a ‘real’ store provides many ‘free’ services to you. Free to you, but not without cost to the shop. If you go elsewhere to purchase, eventually the store and those services will disappear. Choosing to make purchases through online discounters, chains, or craft stores rather than patronizing your local quilt shop may very well contribute to the shop's demise.
Some of the services you get from a quilt shop, in person or by telephone:
✔ Advice on selecting fabric for any project
✔ Assistance with sewing problems
✔ Information on new products and feedback from other customers
✔ Hands on classes
✔ Interacting with other quilters (at Heartbeat there are many international quilters)
✔ A quilt shop to call if you are homebound or on vacation and need a special piece of fabric to complete a project.
✔ A place to browse through fabric to see colors and patterns come alive and hug that special bolt you love most!
✔ Comfort and a friendly atmosphere when you need “someone to talk to”
You get the idea! Please email me to tell me what benefits you get from visiting a quilt shop.
Shops are closing at an alarming rate across the US. Stores like Heartbeat, regardless of their size, provide more than just a product. Information is shared between customers, teachers, and staff. The quilt shop is, as my friend, Marsha McCloskey, told me many years ago, “The Other Place”. Some people hang out at bars, sports events, and other locations. But for us the “Other Place” is our local quilt shop.
So, the next time you consider a purchase or are simply in need of inspiration, patronize your local quilt shop. If you choose not to support your local shop, eventually the 'Other Place' will be no more.
Monday, July 12, 2010
July 12, 2010
Our July 3rd sale was amazing and we thank all of you who visited us here at Heartbeat and online for the annual event!
We are kitting 8 quilts from the September, 2010 issue of “The Quilter Magazine”. Three of the kits are my original designs, so be sure to check them out. These days we do sell out quickly on the magazine kits. Don’t be disappointed, order early.
The heat of the summer is extraordinary this year, but we do have AIR CONDITIONING here at Heartbeat so please come visit and cool off. We just received 100+ bolts of fabric for the promotional room ($5.79/yard) and of course, as always, new fabric arrives daily.
We are kitting 8 quilts from the September, 2010 issue of “The Quilter Magazine”. Three of the kits are my original designs, so be sure to check them out. These days we do sell out quickly on the magazine kits. Don’t be disappointed, order early.
The heat of the summer is extraordinary this year, but we do have AIR CONDITIONING here at Heartbeat so please come visit and cool off. We just received 100+ bolts of fabric for the promotional room ($5.79/yard) and of course, as always, new fabric arrives daily.
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
July 6, 2010
Helen is taking an extra day of vacation and will be back Wednesday.
One of our customers brought to our attention that the Independence Day Sale was not put on the internet like we had intended. We would like to thank that customer and apologize for this oversight. We are extending the online Independence Day Sale through midnight this Thursday, July 8.
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