the quilt exhibition is over

**forestdale** · 07-31-2005, 03:44 PM

Well, after working for it for the past five months, the quilt exhibition is over.

   It went really well and we sold about 180 patterns!  We had a lot of ladies telling us how much they liked the patterns and I felt really proud that many of them will make quilts, wallhangings, bags, cushions etc from patterns I created.  I didn't expect that.  To be truthful, I didn't even think about people actually MAKING things from them.

   But when many of them told us what they'll make, I felt really proud and happy to be a part of their projects.  The thing that I feel most proud of though is I showed two older ladies how to stitch!!  ME!!  Far out!!!  Both these ladies were in their 80s, I'd say.  One said she used to do "fancy work" but had forgotten how.  She bought a pattern of a basket of flowers and asked me to show her the stitches on the work I was doing - I'm doing some red work as a thank you gift for my sister.  The other lady did embroidery when she was first married and couldn't remember what backstitch was.  She said she'd never wanted to do any since then but seeing the pattern for "A new baby" made her want to try it again.  She has a new great-granddaughter and wants to make something for her.  I feel really privilidged to be a small part of these ladies' projects.

Anyhow, on the business side of this big adventure, there were six other merchants there with us - four were patchwork stores (one is the Patchwork Angel who sell a lot of products in north America) and two were tapestry stores.  Three of the patchwork stores asked us if they could stock our patterns and to come by for a chat about pricing etc., and the other lady in the fourth store bought two patterns to stitch herself. 

I have to work a lot at our store this week - today, tomorrow, Friday and Saturday but as soon as I can I'm doing some more research on packaging.  We are currently using paper bags with a big sticker of the pattern inside, and the details.  We had a huge problem having these printed and have to change it. When we work out how to package them and get prices, we'll go visit the stores. 

A friend of DIL Cathy's who sells her products in America, is giving us the names of a few American stores who stock Australian patterns.  She thinks they'll sell well over there. We'll also contact them.

So I couldn't be more pleased with how it went.  All the hard work paid off and our patterns are now happily sitting in many Australian homes, and that feels really good. 

**waterlover** · 07-31-2005, 03:51 PM

Wow!! Congratulations, I'm so happy for you that the quilt exhibition went well. Hopefully one day I'll see your products here in California.

**Darlene** · 07-31-2005, 04:13 PM

I am sitting her smiling my head off I'm so happy for you! How wonderful that story was and how rewarding for you all the way around. This simple life is agreeing with you my friend. Enjoy the fruits of your labor.

**Michele Annette** · 07-31-2005, 04:18 PM

That's wonderful Rhonda!

I am so happy you got so much exposure and sold a lot of patterns! That's awesome! Were you able to take any pictures? I hope selling your patterns in America will be successful!

**forestdale** · 07-31-2005, 04:31 PM

Thanks everyone.

Michele, I forgot to take my camera but Cathy took a couple of photos. I've asked her to send them to me when she downloads them. I'll post them as soon as they arrive.

**Kimberlina** · 07-31-2005, 04:42 PM

Wow- great! I'm so very happy for you, Rhonda!!!

**forestdale** · 07-31-2005, 04:48 PM

Cathy just sent this over.   I thought I might be in one of the photos but she only took two and they are both the same.

**SewCrafty** · 07-31-2005, 05:34 PM

WTG Rhonda and Cathy!

Love the table too, you two did a fabulous job and I just know you are going to sell those patterns world wide!

**SewCrafty** · 07-31-2005, 05:40 PM

As far as the packaging goes, I have seen kits in a zip top bag, about the size of a sewing pattern. You then place your printed fabric around a thin piece of cardboard (similar in weight to a heavy sheet of card stock). Put your floss and needle inside also, you can put the needle in a piece of muslin or felt. Print out your pattern and instructions on regular white computer paper, you could fold it like a greeting card and slide it into the plastic bag picture side out.

Not quite sure what size zip bag that would be, somewhere around 6" wide x 8-9" long.

HTH

**QuilterMom** · 07-31-2005, 05:46 PM

What wonderful news for you both!!!!!!!! I'm so excited!!!!!!

**Mom23boys** · 07-31-2005, 10:37 PM

YEAH!! I am glad you did so well! I knew you would. I had no doubts!

**Strawberry** · 07-31-2005, 11:23 PM

Congratulations

I'm so glad everything went well for you.

**Missy** · 08-01-2005, 01:18 AM

I am so happy for you! That's great. I can't wait to see your patterns at my favorite craft stores!I love your table, very (or as dd would say- berry) attractive. Love the colors.