Drop what you’re doing.
Move away from the sewing machine. Turn off the TV. Close that Facebook window (you know who you are!). Call in sick; then call your quilting friends. Today’s the day to use any excuse to visit YOUR local quilt shop. It’s the first annual:
Yahoo!
The buzz has been building—we shared our own buzz about this inaugural event last week. Today, shops around the country are hosting special events and lots of fabric-filled fun for their celebrating customers. Won’t you join them?
Not sure you can squeeze in a visit? Perhaps these five excuses will inspire you to make the time.
Remember, you are what keeps your local quilt shop in business—YOU. Pledge to visit your local quilt shop today to get inspired, get energized, and get creative in 2013!
Share why you love your local quilt shop—leave your affections in the comments!
I love the local quilt shop near my house, Keepsake Cottage Fabrics. The first time I stepped foot in their shop, I was overwhelmed by all the fabric—but they were so friendly and came over to help me pick out just the right prints for my project!
—Sarah on January 24, 2013I visited my LQS today to pick up some new material for a new quilt I’m working on,like colors,theme and to get some advice on how to do binding on my quilt,a refresher as they say.And our quilt shop has the friendliest and most talented quilters ever. I am learning from the best.
—Darlene on January 24, 2013One thing my LQS offers that no "craft" store can match is the advice of friendly staff who are happy to help. Whether it is choosing the right colors to go with a focus fabric, advice on battings, or how to get a clean rotary cut, they have staff and classes for every need.
—Lynne on January 24, 2013I didn’t call in sick, but I did go to Gathering Fabric in Woodinville, WA during my lunch break. It’s got such a friendly vibe! Everyone is helpful and it’s got plenty of inspiration beautifully displayed. I considered it a professional courtesy, haha. And yes, some fabric jumped into my bag. Are you surprised?
—Karen Johnson on January 24, 2013My son has requested a quilt with a border resembling one I used on a quilt in 2004. I no longer have any of this fabric so I visited Sew Creative in Beverly, MA today and with assistance was able to find a fabric that is a very close look-a-like to the original. Some other items made it into my shopping bag as well. It has been a wonderful day.
—Cheryl Kochick on January 24, 2013I have several LQS that I love. When I walk through the door, everybody calls my name, greet me with a friendly smile, and says hi or hello. They are always happy to see me, and know, that I am a browser. When I find something, I like, they are ready to cut the fabric for me, answer questions, and steer me in the right direction when I have an occasional memory lapse and can’t remember how to do a certain technique’.
Keep smiling,
—Lynnita Shipman on January 24, 2013"the Quilt Bug in Esperance, NY is by far the greatest quilt shop in the world. They have a great and varied stock but most of all the most helpful and knowledgeable sale staff ever. They also offer varied classes. I live about 25 miles away but they are ALWAYS worth the trip !
—Doris on January 24, 2013I visited my local quilt shop today with my friend and had a wonderful time. Is is a good idea to visit the shops today.
—Grace Ciaffoni on January 24, 2013I took an "old" friend to visit two of my LQS today. We made a day of it. My friend had been wanting to visit Grammy G’s in Palouse, WA so we dropped in and took her some cupcakes as well. She treated us to some delightful shopping bags (we decided they are $200 shopping bags, they are very roomy!) and we had lunch at a local bistro. Replenished, we cruised off to another LQS, the Quilted Heart in Pullman, WA and checked out the new goodies and swapped stories with Quiltman Jack. By then our bags were getting close to full, so we ran a couple of other errands (it’s going to snow tonight), and headed home. A gorgeously sunny day in this snowy corner of the world, and even saw a rainbow in the setting sun sky.
—Claudia on January 24, 2013Oh yes, I forgot that I need ed to pet Kooskia, the shop cat that looks just like one I used to have.
—Claudia on January 24, 2013My sister and I visited Prairie Queens Quilt Shop in San Jose today. We had never been there. They had a fantastic selection of fabric and you can bet we’ll probably been going back. My sister lives very close, but I live quite a distance. We enjoy going on Shop Hops so this was an added bonus because they don’t participate in Shop Hops.
—Rosemary on January 24, 2013Because you told us about Visit Your Local Quilt Shop Day – our group, 8 of 12 members, visited a country shop where one of our members had shopped. She recommended and scheduled the visit. We were excited by the reception we received at Mr Sweeney’s Country Quilt Shop, Thornberry, Texas and the sale table she had prepared – but she was not aware of "visit your local quilt shop day" until we told her. That was a good day for us and the shop!
—Elma on January 26, 2013