SEWING QUILT SHOP SAMPLES

[Sandy F.]

My LQS has approched me about sewing samples to be displayed and used as class samples.

Here is the question: This is new to me and also to them. In the past their employees have sewn the samples by purchasing the fabric from them at wholesale price and then when the shop is finished with the sample, it is the employee's to keep. I am not necessarily interested in keeping the samples for my own. They have offered to supply the pattern/book, fabric and thread. I would be using own sewing machine and notions, etc. How should they pay me? By the hour?? How to keep track of my time as I will be working at home?

Has anyone out there had any experience with this??

Thank you, Connie

[Kathy R.]

When I have sewn samples for classes there were a couple of options... First the quilt store would give me the fabric to make the samples, which they would then keep after the class was over. Or, I could use my own fabric and keep the samples after the class. I was already being paid for teaching the class so there was no discussion about a fee for making the samples.

Besides, I now have some nice samples (since I used my own fabrics) that I can use to teach this class any time in the future, where ever that may be. Look at it as a one-time thing that can be reused many times.

[Kathy R.]

Thank your for your reply, NorthernValkyrie. The thing is...I will
not be teaching the classes. These samples might be for classes
or just to hang in the shop to show off a new fabric line. Although
I will sew just about any fabrics, there are some fabric lines I
would not like for my collection. Connie

[Kathy R.]

Hi Connie...I have LOTS of samples made and have come up with a system that seems to work well:

1) I want the model made for the shop and I want to keep it: I furnish the materials for the entire thing and pay $10 for every yard of fabric in the top of the quilt. This is an "in general" approach and is applied toward a quilt that is an average difficulty. It includes the model maker applying the binding once it is quilted. So, if you are doing a queen-size quilt with 15 yards of fabric I will pay you $150 to put it together.

2) I want the model made for the shop and you tell me you would like to keep the quilt: You buy the fabric (that we mutually agree on) for the top and provide the labor. I provide the backing, batting and have it quilted. You apply the binding. I will keep it until I say it is over and then hand it over to you. It is your responsibility to be sure it has a label saying it belongs to you.

3) You are teaching classes in my shop: You need to make the model for your class. I prefer it be from fabric in my shop but I understand that it might be a model you already have at home. As long as it supports the class I am usually ok with this. If it is a model that will be used in a class but then I will keep it in the store to sell fabric, see situation #1.

I hope this helps! It really is just something you have to work out with the shop owner.

deb
http://www.stitchinheaven.com

[Kathy R.]

You can really do anything that is mutually agreeable.

I used to work in a fabric store. At that store, 'model garments' (and they were usually clothing items, though sometimes home dec stuff, quilts, knitted items or other crafty things) were done as follows:

The store provided all the fabric, notions and patterns for the item, which was made by the employee. The items was put on display for however long the display was needed, then the item was given to the maker to keep.

For quilting classes, the class samples were done somewhat differently (and when I taught at a quilt shop, they did it this way as well): The quilt class teacher was solely responsible for choosing the pattern and fabrics, purchasing the fabrics, completing the quilt, quilting and binding. In other words: if you are doing a quilting class, you deal with the sample on your own and you own it outright.

[Kathy R.]

I wouldn't do it unless all the fabric/thread needed was supplied and I got paid for my time making it. Unless it's for charity I expect to get compensated for my time used to promote sells.

[Kathy R.]

Thank your for the responses. I am sure my LQS owners and I can come up with a workable system with a win-win for all. Connie

[Kathy R.]

Connie in ohio


I would strongly suggest that you consider keeping as many of your samples after the shop uses them for yourself.

A lot of the GUILDS I belong to love having quilters display their quilts in a trunk show with a lecture. The more quilts the better. Many of the older quilters I know of are making extra money for these quilt shows. Our guild usually pays a couple of hundred dollars plus room and board for a night to guest quilters. A lot of these lectures are not by NATIONALY KNOWN quilters, but more local area quilters who have quilted all their lives.

If you are funny and display a sense of humor, have some funny little stories about the quilt or the recipient when you lecture, have a lively manner .... so much the better the ladies will love you.


I have seen trunk shows on:

antique family quilts

applique quilts,

quilted jackets, sweat shirts and vest

Life time quilting displays from child hood to adult hood.

art quilts

portable projects

color therory

fabric dying and painting .... the list goes on and on


Many of the quilters have self published pattern that they sell at the lectures.... The important thing is to have enough samples, quilts to show and display. You might want to consider this for the future.... think of it as your artist portfolio.

I think more and more guilds are going to be looking for local quilt talent as NATIONALLY KNOWN quilters are into retreats, the big quilt shows, etc. Their fees/ travel expenses are beyond all but the biggest quilds. I know our guild has cut back on getting the nationally known out of state quilt teachers/ pattern and have supplemented the quilt shows with trunk shows by local ladies and home grown MICHIGAN QUILTERS. I personally think that guild ladies like the local quilters best because it gives them an " I can do it feeling."

[Lynn K.]

I read somewhere that a quilter kept a stopwatch at her table side and every time she worked on a particular quilt she punched the button and when she stopped she punched the button. At the end of the project, she had the days, hours, and minutes right there! I am thinking it might have been Ted ______? who made the award winner at the Houston Festival last year. It was an applique replica of her grandmother's lace hankie on her wedding day a hundred or so years ago! Exquisite!

[Annette R.]

In one of my weaving books, there was a recommendation to keep an old electric clock by the loom. When you started a project, you set the clock to 12:00 and plug it in. When you finish for the day etc. unplug the clock. If the project takes no more than 12 hours at the end of the project you would know how long it took by reading the time 2:3- two and a half hours since 12: If it takes longer than 12 hours you just have to keep track of how many times you passed 12.

Ann ( i don't want to know how long a quilt takes.)