01.26.08
The Quilt Industry - Worrisome Signs
Lately, I’ve noticed some signs, subtle though some of them may be, that quilting as a trend is taking a downswing. Within the past two days, I have received fabric or quilt supplies advertisements in the mail. Instead of the slick paper that shows off the wares to their best advantage, the catalogs are printed on the least expensive, newsprint type, paper one could buy.
I am noticing a lot less activity on quilt and needlework lists. I’m realizing that quilt shows that used to be held every year are now happening only every other year. Crochet and Knitting magazines dominate the newsstands. The shelves in major bookstores, once teaming with quilt titles have a mere fraction of their former book offerings. I could go on and on.
I hate to be the bearer of bad tidings, but it seems like the writing is (literally) on the wall. I’ve thought about this situation a bit and have come to a few conclusions.
The most obvious conclusion is that most quilters do not make quilts to keep the family warm. Therefore, quilting classes, the purchase of quilting supplies, quilt magazines, paid online memberships, quilt books, quilt trips, and anything else related to the hobby is in the category of “entertainment” in the family budget. The economy is not doing too well, at the moment.
When I began quilting, circa 1984/1985, the old standards were in place. With “practice,” anyone had a shot at being “good” at quilting - good enough to enter shows; good enough to win ribbons. Precise piecing was valued as was hand quilting.
Today, the bar has been raised. One has to have some tricks up one’s sleeves and know how to manipulate photography, discharge and dye fabrics, embellish until the cow’s come home, and be original with a capital “O.” Gone are the days of someone oohing and aahing over a simple Double Irish Chain Quilt. Those quilts are passé.
Art quilts of all types are “in.” However, can they sustain an industry that has traditionally depended on the common, everyday, Susie-Q housewife to keep the craft of quilting alive?
In the balance of things, it seems as though the ordinary quilter who buys the threads and the fabrics to make their everyday quilts are still at the heart and essence of quilt making. These women and men may rely only on their plied hand needle or between, not a long-arm machine with an automatic stitch regulator that they have had to remortgage the house to own, yet the old-fashioned methods make for the most dedicated quilters.
I am watching and waiting to see what other changes will be coming down the line. I’m afraid that those who think of quilting as Big Business, may in the long run, come up short, and sorely disappointed when the trend does not continue much longer. I hope I’m wrong. If someone has the inside track on all of this, I’d love to hear from you.
What I do hear is that demand for professional long arm quilting is very slow, and the request for appraisals has dropped considerably since before Christmas. I hear of formerly active professionals, in quilting, reporting being “burnt out,” and turning to other matters. These are worrisome signs, indeed, for those of us who love quilting and would like to see it continue to be promoted. Any thoughts?
Patricia Cummings, http://www.quiltersmuse.com
