There are so many I’ve come across that give me ideas, encourage me, and let me know that the quilting and fabric arts are venturing into exciting arenas.  I’m starting with ten in this post but will have to continue another time with more.

(Original quilting art by Beth Mastin at Meandering Threads)

Meandering Threads by Beth

StegArt by Terri

How to Quilt by Penny

Quilting Arts Blog by Patricia 

Buckboard Quilts by Judy

Alex Anderson Quilts by Alex

Patches from the Past

PickleDish.com

Niki’s Ventures by Niki

Quilter’s Buzz by Gina

Post from: Blisstree

10 Quilting Sites & Blogs That Excite Me

As Laura says, “Today’s interview is with Mary Emma Allen, who began as a dressmaker [and quiltmaker] and eventually transitioned to the writing and blogging business.”

This was an enjoyable experience, and I feel honored that Laura selected me to begin her series.

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Quilter Mary Emma Interviewed on Work From Home Momma

Anna Maria Horner’s inner gypsy had to have been at play when she designed her 22 Lollipops Quilt and Bohemium Quilt – and the fabric collections that inspired them, too, mentions Jen.

The fabrics in the quilts shown on Jen’s blog remind me of fabrics my aunt and grandmother used in their quilts and dressmaking in the 1940s.  Lots to reminisce there for quilters who created quilts then…or those who like that type of fabric.  Anna Maria has adapted these fabrics into her unique patterns….which she’s willing to share.

Visit Jen’s blog to find where to get your patterns.  You’ll also find other free patterns there.

Post from: Blisstree

Quilt Pattern for 22 Lollipops Quilt & More

Were any of you brought up on the Dick and Jane reading books in grammar school?  Do you have memories of learning to read when you see these characters?

I discovered at, Fat Quarter Shop, fabric with Dick, Jane and Sally.  A current feature is the Sally Look Quilt Kit by Michael Miller Fabrics, for a 50-inch piece, packaged in a collectible Dick and Jane lunch box.

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More Book Related Character Fabrics for Quilters

“I’ve always considered myself a PR pro,” comments crafts business expert, Barbara Brabec, in her current e-newsletter bulletin, “but what I was particularly good at in years past was getting print publicity. 

       Yes, for many years Barbara has been considered a pro at helping crafts people promote their enterprises and has written several books on the subject.  Many of us have discovered, as Barbara has, that the PR field is a whole “different ball game” now that we can contact people all over the world through the web.  However,  Barbara has been adept at adapting her advice to help crafts people in this Internet age, as you’ll see when you visit her web site.

Also, the nature of our quilting and fabric arts businesses may change as the Internet opens up many possibilities, even when we have basically a business with customers coming into our shop or provide services away from our home office.

*We may produce an e-newsletter instead of a printed one mailed to customers.

For instance, the owner of a local quilt fabric shop asked my daughter for her e-mail.  She said she was going to send an e-newsletter instead of one by postal mail, simply because the cost was less (almost negligible), it was quicker, and reached her customers faster.  She would have a few printed newsletters in her shop for customers without e-mail to pick up.  But she wouldn’t send them out that way after a specific date.

*E-mail becomes a common method of corresponding with our customers.

*Orders will come to us via e-mail rather than, or as well as, the post office if we’re a mail order business.

*Customers/clients will find you via a blog and/or web site, even if you have a physical shop.

If you’ve operated a home business during both eras, what are some ways you’ve had to change?  Do share with us.

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Promotion for Quilting Businesses Has Changed with the Internet

If you recall, in a previous novel, Sylvia wonders why they never heard from Elizabeth after she married Henry and moved to California.  Then in another novel there was a slight reference to Elizabeth and a letter she wrote.

Now we learn Elizabeth’s fascinating story, woven into the history of that area during the 1920s and 30s.  Quilts play a role in this book, of course…quilts Elizabeth brought with her and those she found, repaired, and made in California.

(At the above link, you can see a video of The Quilter’s Homecoming and read Chapter 1)

I’d love to hear what you think of this book in the Elm Creek Quilts series. 

Post from: Blisstree

The Quilter’s Homecoming – The New Elm Creek Quilt Book

I’ve not encountered many who didn’t pay me.  I found, when someone was late, the situation usually could be resolved.  If there was a problem with the product or service, we were able to work it out.

I learned when contracting for a project, especially a larger one such as a quilt or wall hanging that ran into quite a bit of money…both for my supplies and price from the buyer, I would divide the payments into increments.  That way, I had money in hand for supplies.  Customers didn’t find it so overwhelming when it came to payment.  I would request the balance upon delivery (or before delivery if it was something I shipped). 

Laura Spencer, at Writing Thoughts, relates a situation she encountered, The Case of the Missing Payment – Happily Resolved. Then Laura mentions four tips to ensure you receive your payment in a timely fashion.

Of course, Laura’s examples generally relate to writers.  However, the tips she gives can be applied to other businesses,  such as quilting and fabric arts, to help keep you from encountering a payment problem. 

Post from: Blisstree

Collecting Payments in Your Quilting Business

The folks at b5media have been changing the templates, and sometimes the colors, to our blogs.  I wasn’t sure what I’d find when mine was finished.  But I’m very impressed with what the b5media designers have come up with for me.

Let me know what you think. 

(Also if you have trouble leaving comments, let me know.  Some visitors have reported to me, via my b5 e-mail: maryemma@b5media.com, that they get a message my blog won’t allow comments.  If it’s continuing, I want to get that fixed because I enjoy hearing from you out there in the quilting/fabric art world.)

Post from: Blisstree

There’s a New Look at Quilting and Patchwork

Others, who perceive their quilting as a business, find that comments usually relate to visitor views and are helpful in getting an idea of what their customers and “fans” like.  So they wonder how they can increase comments and input on their blog.

Yvonne Russell, of Grow Your Writing Business, has written a great post about comments, Do You Make Readers Run a Comment Obstacle Course?  Even though Yvonne’s blog concerns the writing business, the information she supplies regarding blog comments can apply to anyone.  She has spent a great deal of time researching how she can increase the comments to her blog and is willing to share this with others…in a very readable format.

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Do You Want More Comments on Your Quilting Blog?

At Layers Upon Layers, I discovered an ideal way to use your leftover fabric…swatch portraits.  Cyndi seems intrigued by this idea, too, which she found at The Purl Bee.  There’s even a tutorial at that site for creating wall art from your fabric by using embroidery and quilting hoops of various sizes. 

As I looked at the fabric portraits displayed, I also could envision them decorated with fancy stitching and embellishments.  There seems to be no end to the ideas  creative people can come up with in the fabric art world.

Post from: Blisstree

Swatch Portraits – One Way to Use Leftover Quilt Fabric