Ever wanted to be greeted at the door by the shopkeeper?

Wonder why some people are greeted and remembered and called out and laughed with?

Probably they were a super customer who helped to keep the light bills paid and the insurance up to date! These are some of my thoughts as to what makes a really GREAT Quilted Twins in-store customer! 

1.      Go to buy.

Although no one minds a window shopper, they will never keep a store of any kind open, except an Art Gallery and even those need to sell paintings every now and then. If you are one of the ones complaining about your local store closing, are you sure you supported your store or did you ask them to bring in the entire line and only buy ¼ yard of one or two fabrics?

2.      Plan to have fun. Be friendly. Be nice.

I realize that this might seem like common sense, but it still needs to be said. Everyone enjoys having a grand time. If you love what you see, say so. If you are having fun, laugh! If something reminds you of Grandpa, it’s OK to exclaim, “My Grandpa would have loved this,” as you drag out the International tractor fabric and buy a yard.

3.      Do not assume that the shop owner is your own personal fabric selector

I personally have a “three strikes and I’m out” rule. In other words, I’ll help you find three different fabrics, after you describe what you want. If you hate it, don’t want it or otherwise show disinterest, I’ll help you two more times. After that, I’m outta there! On to helping someone else. Why? I cannot be everywhere, and if after a good description, you aren’t satisfied with my picks, then you probably just need to do your own looking, as you probably have something specific in your mind, which I’m unable to read. (I’ve been trying to learn that skill, but it’s not coming so quickly yet.)

4.      Please do not drag out your phone and show the fabric cutter the last 20 quilts you’ve made, while you’re holding up the cutting line.

We love to see your current project or two, but not the last 20 or 30. If you really want us to be impressed, bring in the real deal. Let us see the quilt or the top itself. Now that’ll be impressive. It’s so much fun to see them in person. It’s so NOT fun to see it on a 2 inch phone screen.

5.      Follow the store rules.

One that we have in our store is simply to leave unwanted bolts standing in the aisle or bring to the counter. “Please do not re-shelve incorrectly.” We run an online business, and like a library, it’s important that our bolts be where they are supposed to be. We waste a lot of time hunting “Green—152” when it’s stuck on the shelf with the batiks, instead of sandwiched between Green—151 and Green—153.

6.      Please do not bring your pets into the store.

I’m not sure why it’s generally acceptable to bring dogs, but not cats. But, regardless I don’t really want either in my store (and I’m a pet fan, don’t get me wrong.. just not in my store!) So far we’ve had 2 non-service dogs on leashes that left presents on the floor. Yes, we got it cleaned up, but please do not assume that your dog won’t mess. We have a nice bench outside where someone can sit with him or her while you shop. “…But he’s never done that before” should never have to be heard by any quilt shop owner.

7.      State your suggestions in a positive way, when you have an upgrade you’d like to see made.

Instead of, “your solid selection is pathetic,” you will get a lot farther if you state, “I’d love to see a lot more different colors in your solids, as I use them a lot.” We have taken many suggestions that our customers have made and incorporated them into the store. Grunge, Kaffe and Batiks are three of them!

8. Most of all your shop just wants you to enjoy yourself.

Look at quilts. Leaf through the books. Study the patterns you see. It’s all fun and we are here to help you to have a successful time quilting! Sew on!

Be sure to check out what we have for you in the store!