A Quilt of Many Colors will conduct an all-day “stitch-in” Aug. 28 at Leo United Methodist Church to create pillowcases that will be donated to the local VA Healthcare System hospital and to Riley Hospital for Children in Indianapolis, said Brothers.

Read the entire article over here.

]]> http://www.fabricshoppersunite.com/blog/?feed=rss2&p=430 0 http://www.fabricshoppersunite.com/blog/?p=424 http://www.fabricshoppersunite.com/blog/?p=424#comments Thu, 05 Aug 2010 21:02:19 +0000 Sarah http://www.fabricshoppersunite.com/blog/?p=424 Ever been curious about what it takes to open your own quilt or fabric shop? The Fabric Shop Network will be hosting a new class on that will take you through one of the most important aspects of owning a shop: the finances. Our instructor, Debi Linker, will cover the key financial information you need [...]]]>

Ever been curious about what it takes to open your own quilt or fabric shop? The Fabric Shop Network will be hosting a new class on that will take you through one of the most important aspects of owning a shop: the finances. Our instructor, Debi Linker, will cover the key financial information you need to consider when opening your shop.

Take part in a single-session, two hour teleclass with Debi Linker on Monday, August 23 starting at 4:00pm PST/5:00pm MST/6:00pm CST/7:00pm EST

In this course, you will learn about

• Market values for any given population
• Capital investment
• Projected sales needs
• Inventory breakdowns
• Inventory costs
• Payroll
• Rent
• Advertising

If your store is not open yet, this teleclass is for you!

Register today!

How Does a TeleClass Work?
A teleclass is conducted on the phone over a bridge line that offers a very clear conferencing system. As a participant, you dial a tnumber that we provide for the bridge line (long distance charges may apply). We all “meet” on the telephone.

On Friday, August 20, participants will receive:

• Phone number
• Security code
• Dialing instructions
• A PDF download to reference during class

Tuition: FabShop Member $49.95, Non-Member $99.95

Registration is limited for this course, so sign up today!

PHOTO BY KAREN PULFER FOCHT / Memphis Commercial Appeal

The Memphis Commercial-Appeal recently ran a great story featuring Klassy Katz Quilt Shop in Tennessee that also addressed the state of the fabric and sewing industry today. It’s wonderful to read about the growth in owner Toni Katz’ business over the years!

How fun is this? The Ice Cream Social SewAlong is co-hosted by (Fabric Shoppers Unite sponsor) Oliver + S and Australian independent retailer BadSkirt. The concept is simple: you sign up to take part in a  sew-along during the last two weeks in July in which you stitch, step-by-step, Oliver + S’ Ice Cream Social dress. Over 200 sewers have already sighed up to take part! There’s also a fabulous Flickr group, where you can see other sewers fabric selections and progress.

What are you waiting for? Head over to your favorite independent fabric or quilt shop, pick up the Ice Cream Social dress pattern and your fabric & get ready for the SewAlong!

Photo (c) Gaylord Times Herald

Independent shopowner Delphine Miller and her quilt shop, Delphine’s Quilt Shop, were recently featured in the Gaylord Herald-Times of Gaylord, Michigan. The newspaper highlighted the shop’s involvement in the One Million Pillowcase Challenge–and noted the shop’s push to also sew “manly” pillowcases. Read the article online right here.

New York City-based Chinese language television station NTD-TV recently did a story about quilting in New York City–and featured independent quilt shop The City Quilter in the piece. While the broadcast is in Chinese, the interviews are in English. You can watch the story in the embedded video above or on NTD-TV’s website.