I’ve been spending the last few weeks organizing and minimalizing, both my sewing space and my online store. I’ve had a blast selling fabrics online for the last 10 years. (Where has the time gone?) But as I’ve been hinting over the last few months, it’s time to change directions.
Teaching FMQ techniques – gotta love it!
I’m not necessarily having an all-out going-out-of-business sale because I am most certainly not going out of business. I’m just shifting my focus, and modern quilting is to blame, but in a good way.:-)
So here’s the thing: I thought I would be content to run my little online shop forever, selling all styles of quilting cottons to whomever would buy. I stocked calicoes and batiks, fun novelty prints, some solids and big name designers, plus a few modern lines.
However, it was a joke around here that “Christa Doesn’t Quilt” because all I did for several years was cut fabric and package orders. Mind you, I was very content doing this. It was a small scale thing and something I could handle in my spare time. But I wasn’t quilting (after taking up the hobby nearly 20 years ago).
Jason helping to set up my new workspace so I can sew to my heart’s content!
Enter the modern movement, which has totally rocked my world! All of a sudden I was pumped up about quilting again and I wasn’t the youngest one in the (quilting) room anymore. All these fresh sewers were making these amazingly bold and simple quilts that I wanted – no, needed – to make!
They were using solids that showed off their beautiful quilting and they were coming up with original designs that appealed to me big time. Not only that, but they were blogging, setting up modern groups left and right, sharing their work, and getting published. I simply had to be a part of it!
Reading the email notifying me of my MQX honorable mention for String of Pearls. What a happy day that was!
So, I quickly and somewhat painfully sat down with Jason and we had a big chat about my “quilting future”. I finally came to the conclusion that what I really wanted to do was design and make quilts! Using our accounting backgrounds, we crunched some numbers and decided we could go one of two ways.
(1) We could either find warehouse space and get really big and not work from home anymore and hire managers and become a huge online store. (2) Or, we could clear out all of our store yardage (which is labor intensive to cut, package and ship) and find other ways to supplement our income.
Meeting with fabric sales reps at home. Yes, I love orange shirts!
We I chose the latter. I started designing, teaching, and showing my quilts again, and I’ve never been happier. In addition, I took the bold and scary move to start submitting my work for publication. And it’s started working.
All of this backstory is basically to tell you I’m having a huge clearance sale so I can clear out my entire inventory of yardage and fat quarters (plus all patterns, gifts and notions). I’m sure it will take several months to sell out and that’s fine. We aren’t going anywhere, so it’s not like it all needs to be gone this weekend (though that would be nice).
I love to sew – don’t you?
I thank you in advance for your support, and I really appreciate that I can blog on a more personal level than what I can express in my weekly store email. Blogging for me has been very therapeutic and has enabled me to articulate my quilting vision and share it with others. 🙂
Click here to view my entire clearance section – about 600+ items are on sale (over half the store), anywhere from 20% – 50% off the original prices. It includes FREE US shipping, too!
Thanks for reading and happy shopping!
Christa Quilts 
Good for you! Can’t wait to see what you’ll be up to next!
I understand how you feel about modern quilting and wanting to be a part of this movement. You definitely have the talent and skills to be successful. Good luck and know that we support you in the new direction you plan to take.
That is a fabulous idea!! SOOO excited for you and your future – can’t wait to see where the fabric takes you 🙂
It thrills me to ‘hear’ of your decision. The “quilt world” will be the richer for it and many in “blogland” awaiting your passionate inspiration. You go Girl!!!!! And know we’re ALL cheering you on!!! Hugs and blessings……..for sure!!!!
Congratulations!!! I know you are going to do well, when your this passionate about something and very talented to boot you can’t go wrong!!!!!
Well congratulations to you!! Life decisions are always tricky, but most of the time we make the right ones! Good wishes in your future!
Wonderful post Christa and I think this will be a great move for you! You are very talented and teaching seems to come naturally to you.
Love this post! It takes a real leap of faith to put yourself out there like you have. I look forward to seeing what you’ll be working on in the future!
Congratulations Christa on figuring out what you wanted and going for it — this time and when you started your online shop. It gives inspiration to those of us that are following to do the same! I know you will do great on your new endeavor — so happy for you!! Karen on Keuka
Follow your bliss! What a terrific leap to your heart’s desire. I’m a newbie and just discovered modern quilts that have pulled me into quilting, so I get it. Congrads!
Best of luck in your new direction! I think it is very important in life to do those things that make us happy and it sounds like you are loving the new path that you’ve started down!
Good luck, you make such beautiful quilt and wonderful tutorials this should be a smooth transition for you 🙂
Bold move Christa. Good for you.
Best of luck with your new direction! It’s always a bit scary to change focus but it’s great when you end up doing something you love! 🙂
It is always hard to change something you are used to doing, but no good thing happens without first letting the old thing go. You are a smart woman,(also talented) and the quilt world would be sadder without your happy input, so GO TO IT!! There are plenty of stores both online and on the ground, so we will always be able to find fabric; but there are not so many happy quilters teaching as well as you. See ya’ on the blog! 🙂
Thanks Pat, Your kind words warm my heart 🙂
That sounds wonderful Christa! I adore your quilts and look forward to sharing your journey from the sidelines!
Christa, how exciting for you. It’s awesome that you have re-evaluated where you are and where you are going. I wish you the very best.
I’m a little confused. You are going to stop selling fabric after you clear out your inventory? Then you’ll be designing and quilting and blogging only? If so go for it how courageous!!
I’m clearing out all the yardage, notions and patterns. I will still be selling precuts and a few kits – things that don’t take as much time to process and ship 🙂 This should free up more time for quilting and writing, I hope!
What is the best thing of all is that you’ve figured out what is right for you! As they always say “if Momma ain’t happy than no one is happy.” Since I hope to design and get published at some point myself, I so understand where your head and heart are leading you. Mine is leading me too.
Christa – So happy for you and pray that you prosper in your new direction. You are a great inspiration to me and I am sure many others, to step out and try FMQ along with the whole process of making a quilt. Thank you for your quilt a longs, and your encouragement along the way. 🙂 Keep us updated on what’s going on. Blessings, Lynn
I’ve always loved shopping your online store, I’m not needing anything at the moment but I’m sure if I keep ogling your fabrics I’ll end up getting something! I’m so glad you will be doing more of what you love, your quilts are always gorgeous and inspiring. Good luck with the next chapter of your career!
I agree with you Christa! I have been selling just a little of my stash and realize, hey I’d rather keep it and make quilts than sell it because I can’t get what I paid for it. So now we are moving to a lower rent place. You have to do what is best and I look forward to some of your new patterns!!
I totally commend you for taking a stand for what makes YOU happy! Being willing to take a step back to re-evaluate is always a good thing. Go forth and prosper….keep growing, that is what is important!
good luck!
I am so excited for you! You have been a huge inspiration to me. Although I have never done one of your quilt along projects I have read and reread your blogs. I have bought TONS (way too much) fabric from you. I have tried the negative space quilting. 🙂 Often times when you mention a Craftsy class I have already bought it… Just haven’t watched it yet.m I think I hoard Craftsy classes like I hoard fabric.
Yesterday I was searching your website and blogs for an email for you… I bought a fabric panel from you and wanted to share what I did. 🙂
Surely you will continue to blog, right?
Absoutely! I love blogging – it keeps me focused on what to work on 🙂
Do what you love to do and best of luck to you. Will love o read your blog to see hoe it goes. You are very talented.