Beyond the Holly: Year Round Sales with A Quilted Christmas
Hi, I’m Deb Grogan, owner of The Quilt Factory, author of A Quilted Christmas. You might know me for my holiday-themed quilt patterns full of snowmen, snowflakes, and all the cozy magic of the season. But today, I’m here to show you how the patterns in my book A Quilted Christmas can keep working for you and your customers long after the holiday lights come down. For most quilt shops, Christmas projects are big sellers but by January, they’re packed away until next holiday sewing season or simply placed on sale. What if those same books/patterns could bring in steady sales all year? That’s exactly what we’re going to explore. I’ve compiled a list of several plans of action that can help make my book a must have and help you create year round sales. We will look at those but first, let’s talk about the book, A Quilted Christmas. When I designed the projects for A Quilted Christmas, I did so with fabric from basics collections so that shops can always have a fabric line that will work and be available to re-order once any kits you create sell out. And of course we hope to keep you re-ordering the book as well! But I also wanted to create projects that, with a little imagination, could be transformed into other holidays or even everyday items. We will explore some of those ideas, but first, let me tell you about A Quilted Christmas The book begins with fun ornaments, the Merry banner and wall hanging to greet friends and family. Then it moves to the kitchen to set the table for holiday feasts, followed by a quilt to snuggle with by the fire. We end with a cozy bed runner and fun pillows for sweet dreams. We hope there is something for everyone! So let’s look at those sales strategies now. Most important tip: MAKE SAMPLES! Enlist the help of customers if your shop is busy and it is so helpful to newer quilters or quilters who have a hard time choosing fabrics. Probably the easiest transformation, swap the fabric palette. Swap reds/greens for various colors and replace Christmas icons with updated ones. Customers can look into their own stash of appliqué patterns for new shapes to use or if you are the creative type, why not draw your own? You can then print and offer them free with a kit purchase, or sell them for a few dollars. Tip: Display the same project in two color-ways holiday and everyday, it reminds customers they have options. Seasonal re-branding is easy, rename projects you create to match the season. Our “Peppermints and Holly” table runner can be “Daisies and Butterflies” by simply switching the title and fabrics along with the appliqué icons and you’ve got a brand-new kit to sell. The base of the pattern is the same and you can even use the vine just place daisies, leaves and butterflies along its path in place of the peppermints and holly leaves. Pumpkins, apples, fall leaves, it all works! Smaller projects from A Quilted Christmas make perfect year-round gifts. Market them as gifts, birthday presents, or wedding/baby shower décor. The ornaments could be teacher gifts, stocking stuffer or serve as gift tags. A small pocket could be added the back for a gift card, money, or even a sweet treat! Christmas ornaments are the perfect gift to newlyweds just starting out. (cont.) Page 1
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