carolinequilts Posted April 22, 2012 Report Share Posted April 22, 2012 I would like to share something with this group, who have given me so much! When I first began LA quilting, I thought I would sell fabrics for backings. I never really liked the extra wide backings because of limited choice, so I bought (and sold) 44" wide fabrics. I offered to piece the backing at a reasonable price as a service. I bought only sale fabrics from a local distributor (I have a business license), and I kept my prices in line with the sale prices I was getting from the distributor, so that I could offer them at a good deal to my customers. As more and more of my customers came to me for fabric (not only for backings), I bought more and more! Since I work out of my home, storing these became a problem, so I sent out a note that I would host 'fat quarter parties' to hopefully rid myself of my extra fabrics. I put together 4 huge bins of fat quarters, also a big bin of fat quarter and fat 8th 'bundles', some kits, plus anything else I had on hand to sell and offered to go to home parties. So, I had my first one last week. One of my customers invited her whole guild and it was a huge success! I made over $1,000 in sales - she was able to spend 10% of total sales at my 'store' as her reward!!! As a bonus, I was introduced to 40 new potential customers! My 2nd one was much smaller - just a normal quilter and her friends, but it still made me money and the hostess received about $40 to spend in my store. I hope this note is an inspiration to you all. Find ways to get your business going. Provide trust, good service, good value, and you will get the customers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beachside Quilter Posted April 22, 2012 Report Share Posted April 22, 2012 Great idea, Caroline! Sounds like it was fun for your customers and $$ for you!! :P Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quilting Heidi Posted April 22, 2012 Report Share Posted April 22, 2012 That is a really good idea and what a great way to get new clients. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sandra Darlington Posted April 22, 2012 Report Share Posted April 22, 2012 How interesting. Thanks for sharing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Primitive1 Posted April 22, 2012 Report Share Posted April 22, 2012 Caroline - what a great idea!!! I'll bet this catches on! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quiltmonkey Posted April 23, 2012 Report Share Posted April 23, 2012 There you go thinking outside the box ~ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quilted charm Posted April 23, 2012 Report Share Posted April 23, 2012 Great idea!! I to have bought a lot of fabric, and am running out of room to store it. This idea may come in handy. Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LibbyG Posted April 23, 2012 Report Share Posted April 23, 2012 That's a great idea for a guild to do at a meeting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CWBowser Posted April 23, 2012 Report Share Posted April 23, 2012 What a fantastic idea. I am glad it was so successful for you too!!!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anette D. Posted April 24, 2012 Report Share Posted April 24, 2012 Great idea. Happy it was a success for you. Gives me something to think about. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
b.glass Posted April 25, 2012 Report Share Posted April 25, 2012 Wow! What a wonderful idea and sharing it. My friend and I now have a business license for quilting retreats. We are also Quilt in a Day certified teachers. We are having a retreat this week and just spent a lot of time, energy, and $ trying to make kits and make them affordable for our retreaters. We would love more information on your fabric source as we're just beginning and need to find a source for reasonable fabric. Our website is: www.quiltingonthemountain.com Beth Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carolinequilts Posted April 25, 2012 Author Report Share Posted April 25, 2012 Beth, I order from Checker Distributors (which is in Ohio) and they have very reasonable shipping rates. I live in Ontario, Canada and I go to Northcott fabrics which is in Vaughan. They have beautiful fabrics. But I am able to drive there (I can be there in an hour), so I am very fortunate! This has been fun for me! I have 2 more parties booked, and one 'maybe'. A funny story - after I had my first party, I took the $$$ and bought more fabric! Yes, here my purpose was to rid myself of surplus, but instead I bought more! My son came home from college for the summer and I told him I made $1,000 and it was on his bed. He ran to his room only to find his bed covered in bolts of fabric! :P:P Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Calamity Jain Posted April 25, 2012 Report Share Posted April 25, 2012 A funny story - after I had my first party, I took the $$$ and bought more fabric! Yes, here my purpose was to rid myself of surplus, but instead I bought more! My son came home from college for the summer and I told him I made $1,000 and it was on his bed. He ran to his room only to find his bed covered in bolts of fabric! :P:P Caroline, that is SO funny. I pictured my teen girls with similar reactions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.