Thursday, October 31, 2013

Rather than a move update this week, we've got a contest for our wonderful customers! We'd love to hear from YOU about ideas and wishes you have for final building! So if you comment on this blog with your thoughts for our store you'll be entered into a drawing for a 75% OFF coupon for our store!!!!!!!

75% OFF
Coupon!

The contest will be open for you to comment through 11:59pm on Thursday November 7th. You can comment once a day for up to 7 chances to win! Make sure you put your name on your comment so we can identify you. The winner will be selected at random and we'll announce the winner on Friday November 8th in our weekly e-mail and here on the blog! The coupon will be good for one purchase in person on either November 9th or 10th (this coupon will exclude Bernina branded items, sewing machines, consignment items, Saturday sampler, and gift certificates).

So come up with lots of good ideas for us to possibly use in our new building and comment here for your chance to win BIG!!!!!


And we thank you, all of our wonderful customers, for your support and business as this move wouldn't be possible without you!
Happy Sewing!

41 comments:

  1. Automatic doors would be great for when we're hauling all of our stuff in and out for classes :)

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  2. A layout space would be awesome - a table or two where we can stage out fabric bolts and fat quarters without taking all the cutting counter space. A few grouped "project" displays would be cool - some people have a hard time matching fabric used in a project with all the bolts in the store that went into that project - it would be neat to see some of the store finished work with a display of materials used, ready to pull and be cut. Sometimes in the last location it was hard to find one fabric bolt used or another, when trying to duplicate a look. Looking forward to playing in your new store!!

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  3. How about a designated sales area; threads and zips closer to checkout area to match to fabric (I'm always walking around and fumbling with little things..threads ect.); a civil war fabric or reproduction fabric area. On the whole I already like your store...looking forward to shopping in the new.

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  4. A layout space would be awesome! Or a wall we can put pieces up while we are working in classes to visualize!

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  5. bring threads, needles, embellishments, and notions together in one area. I miss the nice array of Asian fabrics that SLH used to stock.

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  6. I'd like to see little postings near items with tips on them...for instance, near the thread could be a placard that gives hints on when to use one type of thread over another.

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  7. I like the idea of a layout space, but floor space would be great too. There are times when we need space to lay out blocks where we can get a good look at the layout (tables don't give that perspective). The current design wall works well, but if someone is already using it ...

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  8. I'd love a staging area for fabric so I can see what works together without being in the way of cutting. Also, I'd love to see Accuquilt products added to the store.

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  9. Automatic doors would be wonderful! When I come to class my hands are usually pretty full. To not have to struggle to find a hand to open and hold the door while trying to get all my stuff through would be awesome!

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  10. I think it would be great if there was a sale area or bin. This area could include bolts that are almost finished. I love buying out bolts and increasing my fabric stash. I'm hoping to get a good scrap quilt going soon. :)

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  11. A covered side entrance for classes, so when I'm bringing in my sewing machine and everything else for a class, I can pull up, unload (under a canopy or awning) and go straight to the classroom in as few steps as possible. Maybe even those rolling luggage carriers like hotels have :)

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  12. How about a demo area where you can learn techniques, for free, at specified times a few times a week!

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  13. A large color wheel for matching fabric choices or a design area with tips on picking fabrics for those of us who take a long time to make choices:)
    Shannon
    winterluna2002@yahoo.com

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  14. The project samples are great but I always like to see them in different color options. Have the full size project and then a block or two in a different color scheme.
    Elizabeth Roberts

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  15. Having a long-arm machine/frame available for rental would be fabulous. There are some quilts that I have not made yet because there just isn't a way to get them through my machine. Of course, I would love to own a long-arm but I don't have the space for one :(

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  16. What about using pull up projector boards covered with the correct type of material to make more space for multiple design walls?

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  17. I think it would be really nice to have a semi-circular driveway where we could park temporarily so we could bring in our machines and materials for classes. This would be especially nice in the winter.

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    Replies
    1. SLM, you've won the blog contest! Congratulations! Please send us an e-mail at akseams@gmail.com so we can hold your 75% off coupon under your name at the store. Have a wonderful Friday and enjoy your prize!

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  18. I know you have a class that you sign up for and pay a small fee called Just for Me where you can join The Twins and work on projects of your choice. Have you thought about having posted open sew times when there is no instructor and no fee. I've seen quilters in the store working when it's not obviously a quilt class (that's my impression), but it'd be nice if there was a scheduled open sew time once or twice a week like Sylvia's in Wasilla has on Fridays. No need to sign up, just the open option of coming and chatting with other quilters while you work on finishing projects. (For me that would be binding tops--what a chore!)

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  19. Hi! I quilt - but sometimes love to have a project all laid out for me. Have you thought about having a display or two that features a project - and everything you need to complete it. You could have the pattern (a new one every month - or whatever time frame)(you could make it like, employees favorites, a hard one and/or easy one, from your classes, etc), fabrics that could be chosen (you could do two color palettes - or more!), thread, accessories, embellishments - anything that you might need to complete the quilt or sewing project! Think scissors, seam ripper, quilt labels, etc. having a some color choices available would be vood ao we (customers) feel like we have some control! :). Also, if someone bought everything at once - you vould offer a 5-10% discount as an incentive. You could also integrate this into a contest - customers entering their ideas as to which pattern or project would be sold - you could base it on themes (fishing, kids, college quilts, etc.), favorite patterns of people - their first quilt, most difficult, etc. i suspect you want to stay away from class quilt projects - and keep it more geared to other themes. You could have one sewing project and one quilt project. But, i would find it helpful - finding out what all i need, color choices, what threads and why, etc...You get the idea? I think that this would be a great idea! You could even link it to the Bernina that would work best with the project. So, it would clearly a start to finish project!
    Good luck with the new store - am excited to see it and shop !!
    Kay L

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  20. Having more Aurifil colors available would be wonderful. The neutral basics always seem to run out quickly.

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  21. Along with a layout table or wall available for shoppers, having a free-use pin cushion would be nice too - I like to layer fat quarters when I'm figuring out a project, and it would be wonderful to be able to pin them together when I'm sorting out projects.

    And if possible, it would be cool to see some European or Asian fabric lines - there are some neat things coming out all over the world, it would be neat to be able to shop locally for them.

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  22. Excited to see the new space. I wouldn't mind some instruction on long arm quilting. I have a machine, just don't know how to use it. Mine is the Grace Frame with 9" throat machine, so I know I'll be limited on what I can do with it. Accessing a bigger machine occasionally would be great! And I agree with the suggestions for a "loading zone" for classes. ~Donna Poole

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  23. I would like to see plenty of potties and a vending machine since peppercinis won't be right next door. A revolving door and heated sidewalks would be most appreciated.
    Melanie S

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  24. I would like to see First Friday events for local quilt/fiber artists.

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  25. More rainbow fabric, monkey fabric and diaper sewing supplies! :)

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  26. I would love to see a space for pop in quilters. A Starbucks concept, a place where you can drop in do some quilting and be a ground people who love to quilt. Instead of buying coffee we could payable pop in fee. This way we don't have to wait for "Just Me" once a month everyday could be "Just Me". Oops! That sounds pretty self centered. Lol
    Alysha B

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  27. I would like to see some hand embroidery classes to use that pretty silk floss you guys carry! TheresaPaxton at gmail.com

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  28. I think a community "brag board"/event listing would be fun - we could check out projects others have finished (photos) and maybe learn about local quilt/craft events and groups that we wouldn't otherwise!

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  29. Would like to see some crazy quilting supplies and I love all the ideas for the loading zone to bring your stuff in for a class!

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  30. An area to distract kids - maybe a train table or coloring books or a movie on mute?

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  31. My kids always loved your little toy area, so maybe you can just take it with you. (I'd prefer that to a movie.)

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  32. Lots of big windows and tall ceilings? What about putting a sewing area in a loft that you can overlook the main store floor from? Not sure about accessability issues but that would be fun!

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  33. A flat screen TV with WiFi playing videos highlighting various quilting and sewing techniques as well as patterns.
    A few small shopping carts for shoppers to hold fabrics for browsing and purchase, and for class attendees to use to bring in all their class supplies.
    Heated sidewalks
    Excited to see the final destination !!
    Janai

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  34. I would love some Mystery quilt nights. In a town I used to live in the local quilt store did them on a Friday night starting at 5pm or so. Most were Debbie Caffrey's patterns. They turned out gorgeous every time with easy to follow instructions, even for beginners. Participants brought a snack and we sewed like crazy til midnight. Most of the time I left with a finished top in only one night of sewing and it was SOOOOO much fun!!!!

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  35. Natural light in the classroom area would be awesome! Maybe windows above hanging quilts, etc.

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  36. Please bring back the apparel fabrics. There isn't a place to get quality apparel fabric since you down sized that section. I'm into clothes making now and I would love to make long lasting fashionable clothes.

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  37. More precuts, especially Moda mini charms! A stash swap event would be cool too! TheresaPaxton at gmail.com

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  38. Too funny! I was also thinking of a stash swap. Could have a nominal entry fee for it, and a donation of unwanted stash to pet beds or a similar project.

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