Scraps of Wisdom
by Eleanor Burns, Quilt in a Day
What year will quilting become extinct?
Attracting young people to quilting
While at Quilt Market in October, I attended a meeting to hear the latest survey results on the quilting industry. Every three years, ckMedia and Quilts, Inc. commission a survey to determine the condition of quilting in America.
In 2003, the national survey indicated that quilting is a $2.27 billion industry, comprised of 21 million quilters. The survey found that the average dedicated quilter was 58 years old with an average household income of $80,397. They spent nearly $2000 annually on their hobby.
You can imagine the cheers when the result of the 2006 survey was announced. Now, three years later, our hobby has continued to grow. There are now more than 27 million quilters in the U.S., spending $3.3 billion annually on their passion, a 35 percent increase over 2003. The only bad news was that the average dedicated quilter is now 59 years old. This trend seems to indicate that there is a need to attract younger people to our love of quilting. While that may seem to be a big task, I believe that we can all contribute to achieve this goal.
If you have classes in your shop, consider how you can locate these new, young quilters. There are several areas that jump to mind: Contact local junior and senior high schools and discuss offering beginner classes. Talk to home economics teachers, guidance counselors, even school principals about creating an interest for quilting in their student body. In California, there is a trend for home schooling and this is certainly a great avenue to search for young students for beginner classes. Many mothers who home school are looking for activities in the arts to stimulate young minds. Consider offering “Mom and Me” classes where mother and child work together on a project.
Call local churches and get in touch with Women’s Ministry Leaders to discuss offering group rates for beginner classes. Talk to Girl Scout and Campfire Girls leaders in your area about setting up classes for their troops.
Several of the major fabric manufacturers are doing their part to catch the eye of younger sewers. They are commissioning designers to develop bright, bold designs. I have seen patterns for purses, tote bags, and quilted jackets made with trendy fabrics that appeal to teenagers. In your shop, consider setting up a display with some of these items along with brightly colored pillowcase kits, novelty fabrics, patterns, and hot new fabrics. Make sure to have samples made up to really catch the eye and stir the creative juices of your young clientele.
I do not have grandchildren (yet) to teach my passion for quilting. I never give up hope, but in the meantime, it is my goal to have our hobby endure for generations to come. Please make it your goal too and bring in those young quilters. It will increase your business at the same time!
Eleanor Burns has written and published over 70 books on quilting. She has been teaching and entertaining a national audience with her Quilt in a Day series on Public Television. In addition, she has a retail quilt shop, wholesale and retail mail order business, and a retail Web site. For additional information, call 1-800-777-4852 or visit www.quiltinaday.com .
Reprinted from SQE Professional, February 2007 |
