While this post is not about gospel music, at the moment I am thinking of “Mac” McHale’s gospel tune whose words include, “Get on Board, Don’t Be Late, Get on Board, Don’t Hesitate, God’s Ship is Sailing in the Mornin’.” Have you heard the saying, “He who hesitates, loses?” Why all this talk about hesitation? Ok, here it is. Books on CD for quilters and embroiderers are the hottest trend coming down the pike. I have counted at least ten other published ones, besides the five that I offer! Ones I’ve seen advertised cover hand quilting instructions, how to do appliqué, and other topics. If you have a shop. your better informed customers will be looking for quilt and needlework books on CD. If you hesitate to stock an inventory, the sales will go to someone else.
In the past two weeks, since announcing that five of my e-books are now available in CD form, I have had a very good response, as I stated in my last post. A couple of negative responses linger on my brain, from people whom I believe did not consider the matter with an open mind. Their lack of understanding of the advantages of e-books is preventing shop managers from wanting to offer these innovative, educational, and unique products. In essence, they are cheating their clientele out of an opportunity.
In New England, quilt shops are going out of business, left and right. Some of the rudest people I have ever met “man” these shops that would presume to take money from the public, in return for “attitude.” When I am treated poorly, in a shop, my policy is to never return, and to tell all my friends about the experience. All of the aloof, disinterested, jealous, hateful shopkeepers deserve to fail at business and I am so happy when they do! Of course, the idea of owning a shop is not appealing to me. I’d rather drive a car off a cliff. It is hard work to maintain a shop, make samples, plan classes, stock inventory, go to quilt market, try to keep books on the shelf from becoming dog-eared, mangled, sneezed on, etc. by the public, and keep both hired help and customers happy, I assume.
Statistics show that the majority of quilters have a high household income and are over the age of 55. People that age have been around the block a few times, but if they have money, they are no doubt educated, or married to someone who is educated. Quilting is a luxury hobby to most who engage in it. If someone wants a warm bed cover, a blanket would do, or a cheap, department store quilt. Making quilts today is a way to celebrate the past, a subject that my books all re-visit! Quilting is about beauty, continuity of tradition, and the satisfaction of creating something wonderful -by yourself!
Quilters have discretionary money for fabrics, threads, machines, classes, trips overseas, retreats, magazines, and … books! I’ll speak for myself. I love books and I want to see, if not read, cover to cover, every quilt book “with content” that comes down the pike. Someone mentions a new quilt history title, and I’m right there, ordering it. Then again, I am an educated woman and intend to keep learning until the last gray cell is non-functional.
This weekend, I hope to do some quilting! Seems like a good time to think about designing a small project with some great, intrinsic meaning! I love combining the cerebral with the artistic (left and right sides of the brain!). I hope that you all enjoy your weekend. “Get on board, don’t be late … don’t hesitate. God’s ship is sailing in the Mornin’!”
Patricia Cummings
Quilter’s Muse Publications
All books print out to a page size of 8 1/2″ x 11.”