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The quilting industry is on the rise and is expected to reach $5 billion by 2027.
Most of this growth is fueled by younger people — millennials and Gen Z crafters — who are getting into the art of quilting for the first time.
If you want to capture this new and growing market, you need to consider offering quilt classes in your quilt or fabric shop.
But classes aren’t just another revenue stream — they’re the secret to running a profitable, growing business in the quilting space. When you offer quality instruction, you build relationships that keep customers coming back to your store instead of clicking "add to cart" at some online business.
Your quilters want to learn from you. They want to support local businesses. They want to be part of a community that celebrates their passion. So, let’s explore how to teach a quilt class that keeps your community coming back to your store.
Why Quilting Classes Are a Game-Changer for Your Fabric Store
If you haven't considered adding quilting classes to your store, you're missing out on one of the most powerful tools for growing your business. While retail will always be your foundation, classes create steady, predictable income that doesn't depend on seasonal shopping patterns. Students who attend your classes will buy the materials for that project in addition to paying the class fee.
But it’s not just about one-time sales.
When you run high-quality quilting classes, your store becomes a destination. Offering classes helps position your store as more than just a place to buy supplies — you become the local hangout where beginners discover their passion and experienced quilters refine their skills. This community positioning gives you a massive advantage over big-box stores and online retailers who can't offer that personal touch.
Related Read: 10 Quilting Business Tips To Make Your Hobby Profitable
Finally, when you run a great quilting class program, word-of-mouth marketing will take off like a rocket. Happy students become your biggest advocates, bringing friends and spreading the love for your store throughout your community. Classes expand your customer base by attracting quilters who might never have discovered your store otherwise.
Ready to unlock this potential? Let's dive into exactly how to teach a quilt class in your store.
Tip 1: Start With What You Know and Love
Quilters as a passionate bunch. They’ll respond well to a teacher and a class that feels just as passionate.
When you're genuinely excited about teaching strip piecing or appliqué, that energy flows directly to your students. They can feel the difference between someone who's passionate about what they're sharing versus someone just going through the motions.
So, our first tip is to start your class offerings with your strongest quilting skills, not whatever's trending on Instagram.
Related Read: 7 Quilting Trends To Look Out for in 2025
Perfect beginner projects include:
- Rail Fence quilts (teaches strip piecing, cutting, and borders)
- Nine patches and disappearing nine patches
- Simple log cabin blocks
- Table runners using charm packs
Resist the urge to jump into complex patterns like Double Wedding Ring quilts with beginners. Yes, some students might handle it, but others will get frustrated and never return. When students leave your class feeling accomplished rather than overwhelmed, they'll sign up for your next offering and bring their friends along.
Tip 2: Create a Structured Class Plan That Builds Confidence
Our next tip is to err on the side of structure. Your class plan should be more detailed than simply “show them how to make a Rail Fence quilt.” Instead, every craft class should have clear learning objectives and a logical progression that builds skills systematically.
Essential beginner skills to cover:
- Rotary cutting and safety fundamentals
- Strip piecing techniques
- Pressing methods and seam accuracy
- Basic quilting tools and their uses
- Simple quilting methods, like quilting in the ditch
- Binding techniques for a professional finish
Set achievable goals for each session. By the end of your first class, students should feel comfortable with rotary cutting. By session two, they're confidently strip piecing. This step-by-step approach prevents overwhelm and creates those "aha!" moments that keep students coming back.
Be sure to build some flexibility into your plan because students learn at different paces. Your job is to keep everyone engaged without leaving anyone behind.
Related Read: Effective Class Management Strategies for Sewing Classes
Tip 3: Perfect Your Timing, Scheduling, and Registration
Scheduling is one of the unsung heroes of running successful quilting classes. If you schedule your classes poorly, you’re setting yourself up for failure before your first session even begins.
Mastering scheduling for your quilting classes and in-store events starts with understanding your target students’ lifestyles.
Working professionals appreciate weekend sewing workshops where they can dive deep into a project. Retirees often prefer morning classes when they're fresh and energetic. Weekday evening sessions work well for ongoing series where students build relationships over multiple weeks.
Beyond simple scheduling, you want to set up a streamlined registration process. Here are some best practices to keep in mind:
- Write clear class descriptions with specific skill level requirements.
- Provide detailed materials lists well in advance.
- Offer both online and in-store signup options.
- Manage waitlists for popular classes.
Your point of sale (POS) system can be a game-changer when it comes to class registration. Modern systems can help with registration, payment processing, and bundling materials and class fees.
Tip 4: Create Multiple Samples and Professional Handouts
Quilters are visual artists, which means many of them are also probably visual learners. You want to have multiple samples of your class project to help students examine stitching up close, feel the fabric choices, and better understand how it all comes together.
You should also leave samples out on the floor and near your registers during the class registration period. Customers can see a sample of the technique you’re teaching, which can build interest in the upcoming class.
Be sure to have handouts available for students and prospective registrants of your class. Include the following information on all quilting class handouts:
- Your contact information and website in the headers and footers
- Complete materials list with specific quantities
- Step-by-step instructions with clear visuals
- Troubleshooting tips for common problems
- Copyright information and proper attribution
Use every inch of your handout space. The back page is perfect for advertising your other classes, promoting your loyalty program, or showcasing upcoming events. Make your handouts so valuable that students want to keep them and refer back to them.
Tip 5: Master Demonstrations and Individual Assistance
Your instructors’ demonstration timing can make or break your class flow. Limit yourself to just two demonstrations per class, keeping each to a maximum of five minutes. Schedule them during natural transition times, like right before lunch when students are getting restless or during setup when they're already moving around.
When you demonstrate, make sure everyone can see and hear clearly. Explain what you're doing while you do it, then repeat the key points. Encourage students to take photos and notes, as these resources will help them succeed in finishing the project when they get home.
Related Read: How To Market a Fabric Store: 7 Easy Steps
The bulk of your instructors’ time should be spent offering individual assistance to your students and customers. Here are some best practices:
- Circulate constantly during work time.
- Address problems quickly before frustration builds.
- Know when to demonstrate versus provide hands-on correction.
- Prepare for common sewing machine issues and troubleshooting.
Finally, remember that your energy sets the tone for the entire class. Start with enthusiasm and maintain it throughout the day. Share stories, offer encouragement, and celebrate small victories. When one student masters a tricky technique, let the whole class see their success — it motivates everyone.
Be prepared for different learning styles and skill levels. Some students are visual learners who need to see techniques multiple times. Others learn by doing and prefer hands-on guidance. A few will race ahead while others need extra time. Your job is to keep everyone engaged and moving forward at a pace that works for the group.
Tip 6: Price for Profitability While Building Customer Loyalty
Another tricky question when it comes to offering quilting classes is how to price those offerings. Pricing your classes means balancing profitability with affordability, which can be quite the feat!
Be sure to factor in all your costs when setting your class pricing: preparation time, materials, overhead, and your expertise. Research what other local instructors charge, but don't automatically match the lowest price — if your classes offer something unique or your expertise outstrips that budget competitor, feel free to stick to your guns and set the price a bit higher.
Related Read: 24 Key Retail KPIs To Track in Your Fabric Shop
Here are some smart pricing strategies to keep in mind:
- Bundle classes with material kits for convenience and added value.
- Offer series discounts to encourage multiclass enrollment.
- Include a pattern or small tool as a takeaway gift.
- Provide exclusive in-store discounts for class attendees.
Remember to consider the long-tail advantages of running classes in your pricing calculations. Track how classes impact overall store sales. Many store owners find that class students spend significantly more on other purchases throughout the year, making even break-even classes profitable in the long run.
Tip 7: Leverage Technology for Seamless Management
If you want to run your quilt classes without creating a lot of headaches, you need the right tools. Enter: Your POS system.
Modern systems, such as LikeSew, handle everything from registration to payment processing to inventory management for class materials. They maintain customer databases that make targeted marketing effortless and integrate with loyalty programs.
You also want to use your point of sale system to manage your marketing and digital outreach. LikeSew offers features for text messaging and email communications, letting you easily reach your best students between sessions. Some instructors may want to offer virtual follow-up Q&A sessions to address questions that arise when students work on projects at home.
Tip 8: Plan for Growth and Long-Term Success
Our final tip for how to teach a quilt class is… don’t stop at one!
Launch your classes with one popular format or project, then gather student feedback. Use those notes to refine your approach before your next class. Rinse and repeat. Student feedback is crucial for honing your teaching skills and understanding what types of classes your local quilting community wants most.
Once you move beyond quilting basics, you may start offering some more advanced classes. Here are some ideas:
- Seasonal or holiday-themed projects
- Technique-specific workshops focusing on appliqué, paper piecing, or machine quilting
- Multisession series for complex quilts
- Block-of-the-month clubs
Measure your success as your class catalog grows. Track attendance rates, student retention, revenue per class, and overall impact on store sales. Your long-term vision should position your store as the go-to quilting education destination in your area.
How To Teach a Quilt Class: Managing Your Quilt Shop Events & Sales
Using these eight expert tips, you should be able to teach a quilt class that draws in students and turns them into loyal customers. When you run your quilting classes the right way, you turn your store into a space where beginners discover their love for quilting and experienced quilters deepen their skills, cementing you as a fixture in your local quilting community.
But if you want to manage your new class programs without the headaches, you need the right tools.
From class registration and inventory management to loyalty programs and integrated marketing, LikeSew's specialized POS system handles the business side, so you can focus on what you do best: teaching and inspiring quilters.
Ready to see how LikeSew can streamline your class management and boost your store's success? Schedule a demo today.
