Fresh Picked Fabrics

…for quilting, crafting and sewing

As I See it:

Hello friends, I am happy to announce that we came up with our name for the quilt/fabric shop.  I loved most all of the name suggestions sent our way—they were truly inspiring and helped us work our way to the name we did pick: “Fresh Picked Fabrics”.

Our shop is located in Yorba Linda, CA (near Disneyland and the Richard Nixon Museum) and we are madly buying fabrics and notions to fill up our 2000 square feet of space—a pretty fun activity—until the bills come due!

A Change of Plans...

Originally, we (my partner Pamala and I) intended to buy an existing shop located near by—we were pretty far into the process of the sale when the purchase date kept getting pushed back—from September, to October, to November, to December.  In the meantime, we had ordered up fabric (while at Quilt Market in October) planning on a Dec. 31 close date and a Jan. 1 opening.  Then, we were devastated when the close date got pushed back to February. We got anxious and worried that perhaps the sale was not going to happen—and we had fabric coming in everyday!  So we decided to do it on our own!

Coming up with a name for the shop has been the hardest part!  Buying fabric, patterns and notions is the fun part.

Many Things To Learn...A New Perspective

I thought I would share a few things I learned along the way…

In writing Quilter’s Buzz, I get the chance to meet with fabric designers, heads of fabric companies, designers, pattern makers, magazine editors, and other movers and shakers in the industry.  I see and play with new notions, gadgets, trims and frills.

I write about the things that I love. 

However, my perspective has changed a bit when I am actually buying fabric as a “quilt shop owner”.  I now see things through the different eyes…and the question I now have to ask is “Will this sell?  I know that I love it, but will the consumer love it?

Do I buy the whole line of just a few select bolts?  What sample will I make with the fabric line?  And probably the worst part of buying fabric is that you have to make a decision fast.  You have no time to “dream and think” about whether you will buy a fabric line or not.  If you wait, the line –or part of the line--is sold out, or is on back order—with no guarantee that any of the line will be re-printed.

And the other question of how much to buy…I have to think about buying extra bolts of certain fabrics for borders, backing and making kits.  Holiday fabrics present a bit of a dilemma too.  Not only how much to buy, but what are you going to do when Halloween is over but you still have witches and goblins on the bolt!

I am sure I have many lessons to learn and will make plenty of mistakes along the way.  But, I am excited the adventure.

Where To Find Fresh Picked Fabrics:

We are looking forward to hosting friendship groups and will have a full calendar of classes.

“Fresh Picked Fabrics” is open now with a BIG grand opening slated for March 27 through April 4.  We are located in the same suite as Cranberry Quiltworks, my Gammill dealership; and Threaded Pear Studio, my pattern company:

Find us at: 3900 Prospect Ave. Unit G in Yorba Linda, CA 92886.  Call or email me and I will get you on the mailing list. 

Phone: 714-223-1701 Email: FreshPickedFabrics@gmail.com.

Thanks for your support and kindness.

Gina

PS I am working on a logo!