9 Essential Quilting Supplies To Stock in Your Store

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Struggling to keep your quilt shop well-stocked and appealing to customers?

As a quilt store owner, you can see a significant increase in foot traffic and sales by stocking the right supplies. Essential quilting products on your shelves can make all the difference in attracting and retaining customers.

Discover the nine essential quilting supplies every store must have. These items will keep your customers happy and help your business thrive.

Essential Quilting Supplies

To run a successful quilting store, you need the right supplies. Quilters rely on many tools and materials to bring their creative visions to life.

Each item, from fabric to cutting tools, is vital in the quilting process. Stocking these supplies keeps your customers happy and helps you stand out, boosting your sales.

1. High-Quality Quilting Fabrics

One of the most important supplies for any quilting store is fabric. You can’t make a quilt without it. Quilters need a variety of fabrics to create their masterpieces, so offer a wide range of options.

Cotton: Known for its durability and ease of use, cotton is a favorite among quilters.
Batik: These hand-dyed fabrics come in unique patterns and vibrant colors, adding a special touch to any quilt.
Flannel: Soft and warm, flannel is perfect for cozy quilts, especially during the colder months.

Stocking a variety of quilting fabrics meets the diverse needs of your customers and encourages them to return for future projects.

2. Quilting Threads

Quilting threads are another essential supply. Threads hold the quilt together and add details to each piece, making them crucial to the quilting process.

Offer a variety of thread types so quilters can find what they need for their projects. Popular types of quilting threads include:

Cotton threads: These are ideal for quilting because they blend well with cotton fabrics and provide a smooth finish.
Polyester threads: Known for their strength and durability, polyester threads are perfect for quilts that will be heavily used or washed frequently.
Specialty threads: Metallic, silk, and variegated threads can add a unique touch to quilts that make them stand out.
Batting: This layer, sandwiched between the top and bottom of a quilt, provides warmth and thickness. Offer various types of batting, such as cotton, polyester, wool, and specialty options like bamboo and silk. Stock both rolls and pre-cut sizes to cater to different project needs and preferences.

A wide range of colors is also essential. Quilters need threads that match their fabrics or provide contrast for a fun design. By offering many thread types and colors, your customers can easily find what they need for their project.

3. Fabric Cutting Tools

Fabric cutting tools help quilters accurately cut their fabrics into the shapes and sizes they need. Proper cutting tools ensure clean, precise cuts, crucial for creating a professional-looking quilt.

Stock these must-have fabric cutting tools in your quilting store:

Rotary cutters: This tool provides smooth, straight cuts and are perfect for cutting multiple layers of fabric at once. Offer different sizes and ergonomic designs to meet all your customers’ needs.
Scissors: Fabric scissors make cutting complex shapes and trim edges easy. Stock small, sharp scissors for detailed work and larger ones for general cutting.
Replacement blades: Rotary cutter blades can get dull over time. Keep replacement blades available so your customers can finish their projects quickly.

Stocking a wide range of fabric cutting tools will establish your store as a top choice for quilting enthusiasts.

4. Quilting Rulers and Templates

Quilting rulers and templates help quilters achieve precise measurements and consistent shapes. Accurate measurements are crucial for creating well-fitting quilt pieces, and the right tools make this task easier.

Here are different types of quilting rulers and templates to stock in your store:

Quilting rulers: These come in various shapes and sizes, including square, rectangular, and triangular. They provide accurate measurements and straight lines, helping cut fabric pieces to the correct dimensions.
Templates: Pre-shaped guides that help quilters cut specific shapes, such as circles and hexagons. These are useful for creating repetitive patterns and ensuring each piece is identical.
Marking tools: Fabric markers and chalk help quilters mark their fabric accurately before cutting. These tools maintain precision and ensure each piece fits perfectly within the quilt design.
Acrylic rulers: Durable and transparent rulers that allow quilters to see their fabric underneath for more accurate cutting. They often have grids and angle markings for versatile use.
Curved rulers and templates: Ideal for creating curves and arcs, perfect for advanced quilting patterns and designs.
Non-slip rulers: Rulers with non-slip backing to prevent shifting while cutting, ensuring greater accuracy.

Offer a variety of quilting rulers and templates to provide your customers with the tools they need for accuracy and consistency in their quilting projects.

5. Sewing Machines

Sewing machines are the heart of any quilting project, and having the right machine can make all the difference. Stock a range of sewing machines to meet the different needs of your customers.

Consider these points:

Brands and models: Carry popular sewing machine brands known for their reliability and performance, such as Brother, Janome, and Bernina. Include models that cater to both beginners and experienced quilters.
Features and capabilities: Highlight machines with features useful for quilting, such as a wide throat space for handling large quilts, built-in quilting stitches, and automatic thread cutters. Machines with adjustable speed controls and needle positions are also features your customers might look for.
Maintenance supplies: Stock maintenance supplies like needles, bobbins, and cleaning kits to keep sewing machines in top condition.
Demonstration and classes: If possible, provide in-store demonstrations and classes on using sewing machines for quilting. This service can help customers feel confident in their purchases and encourage them to buy from your store.

A wide selection of sewing machines and related supplies caters to the needs of quilters at all skill levels. Provide high-quality machines to establish your store as a trusted resource for quilting needs.

6. Sewing Notions

Sewing notions are the small tools quilters use to bring their projects to life. A comprehensive selection of notions makes a big difference in a quilter's experience, from basics to specialized items.

Keep your store stocked with these items to ensure customers find everything they need under one roof.

Here are some fundamental sewing notions to include in your store:

Pins and needles: Offer a variety of pins and needles, including straight pins, safety pins, quilting needles, and embroidery needles. Have options for different fabrics and specific quilting techniques.
Clips: Fabric clips are an excellent alternative to pins, especially for holding multiple layers of fabric together without leaving holes. They are handy for thicker fabrics.
Threaders and thimbles: Needle threaders make threading needles easier, and thimbles protect fingers during hand quilting. Both are essential tools for quilters.
Seam rippers: Mistakes happen — seam rippers are invaluable for removing stitches quickly and cleanly. Stock different sizes to cater to various needs.

A well-stocked selection of sewing notions ensures your customers can find all the small tools they need to complete their quilting projects.

7. Patterns and Books

Patterns and books are valuable resources for quilters of all skill levels. Stock a variety of patterns and instructional books to inspire creativity and help your customers improve their skills.

Offer popular patterns that cater to different tastes and skill levels. Books provide step-by-step guidance, tips, and new project ideas.

A diverse selection of patterns and books helps quilters find the inspiration and instruction they need to create beautiful quilts. Whether they seek the latest trends or classic designs, these resources turn regular customers into loyal ones.

8. Quilting Kids

Quilting kits provide quilters with everything they need for a specific project in one convenient package. Stock a variety of kits to cater to different skill levels and project preferences.

These kits help your customers find projects that match their skill level and interests. You can cater to a broad audience, attracting beginners and advanced quilters to your store.

9. Ironing and Pressing Tools

Ironing and pressing tools help achieve crisp seams and a polished finish in quilting projects.

Stock these essential items to help your customers maintain the quality of their work.:

High-quality irons: Provide consistent heat and steam to smooth out fabric and set seams.
Pressing mats and boards: Offer a stable surface for ironing, ensuring precision and ease.
Ironing sprays: Starch sprays and fabric conditioners can make ironing easier and improve the fabric's finish.
Seam rollers: Handy for pressing seams without an iron, perfect for on-the-go or quick fixes.
Tailor's hams and sleeves: Useful for pressing curved seams and hard-to-reach areas.
Safety equipment: Heat-resistant gloves protect quilters from burns while they work.

Offering a selection of ironing and pressing tools enables your customers to achieve professional results in their projects.

This attention to detail builds customer trust and satisfaction, making your store a reliable resource for all their quilting needs.

Like Sew Can Help You Manage Your Quilt Inventory Effectively

Stocking your quilting store with the right supplies is crucial for attracting and retaining customers. Remember to offer these types of products in your store:

Quilting fabrics
Quilting threads
Fabric cutting tools
Quilting rulers and templates
Sewing machines
Sewing notions
Patterns and books
Quilting kits
Ironing and pressing tools

While having a well-stocked store is important, managing the inventory of these products can be challenging. Keeping track of all the fabrics, threads, tools, and notions, ensuring you don’t run out of popular items, and maintaining an organized inventory can quickly become overwhelming.

Like Sew is the perfect option for quilting stores like yours. Like Sew is not just a point of sale (POS) system; it's an all-in-one quilt-specific inventory management solution. With Like Sew, you can effortlessly manage your inventory to always have the right products in stock.

The system is designed to handle the unique needs of quilt stores, including tracking serialized inventory, managing fractional yardage, and even organizing class schedules.

Like Sew's integrated POS system can handle all the complexities of your store's transactions, from sales to inventory updates. This means you can easily manage your stock levels, track sales trends, and reorder products before they run out.

The fractional yardage management feature helps you sell fabric in precise measurements. You and your employees don’t have to do off-the-cuff math to figure out how much to charge your customers.

Like Sew also offers tools for managing customer relationships, creating loyalty programs, and integrating with your e-commerce platform, helping you expand your sales channels and engage with your customers more effectively.

By using Like Sew, you can streamline your inventory management, reduce the stress of keeping your store well-stocked, and focus on providing excellent customer service. Transform your quilting store into a well-organized, efficient, and customer-friendly business with Like Sew. Schedule a demo today!