Monday morning began with the news that Yellow Bird Art, one of the most wonderful quilt shops anywhere, will be closing.
Yellow Bird Art has been the go-to shop when my friends and I have been retreat-ing in DeSoto, Wisconsin. It was located just a short hop over the state line, across the bridge in Lansing, Iowa. A destination shop for sure. Always full of an exciting mix of the traditional and the contemporary--hand-dyed wools, kimono silks, Kaffe Fassett and Amy Butler fabrics, cutting edge garment patterns, unusual beads, buttons, and other findings--shoppers could find just the right raw materials to bring out the artist in anyone.
Yellow Bird was a Quilt Sampler Top Ten shop in 2007--so well-deserved. The staff was friendly and the owners always remembered us by name, even though we visited only a couple times per year. So inviting and well merchandised...well, I could go on and on.
It's very sad to see this exciting shop succumb to the pressures of our turgid economy.
The week ended with the news that WQI, our Wisconsin state quilt organization, will disband at the end of the year. WQI has been active for many years, offering seminars, classes and great opportunities for learning and growth. But membership has been declining as the big regional shows have come in, offering nationally-known teachers and huge vendors' areas.
Looking at attendance at quilt shows and classes, it's obvious that quilting is aging out just a bit. Those of us who got into quilting in our 20s and 30s, in the wake of the big quilting revival of the 70s and 80s are suddenly (suddenly??) getting older. And many of the next generation see quilting only as their mother's hobby.
A couple weeks ago, I was looking at a home dec blog featuring a home with a couple well-executed quilts in evidence. More than one blog commenter expressed the opinion that the rooms would be greatly improved if the quilts would be donated to the local animal shelter. OUCH!
Times change and various craft media move in and out of the spotlight. I've loved quilts since I was a kid, studying the mix of early 20th century fabrics in the old family Log Cabin and Monkey Wrench quilts on my parents' bed.
I believe I would have made quilts whether or not there was a "Quilting Revival"--it seems to be in my genes. I still love them like nothing else.
Please--support your local quilt shop AND your area guilds. Such precious resources...
9 comments:
Wow, that's too bad. It's the first I have heard of a statewide quilting guild disbanding. Really, too bad.
Oh my gosh! That's so sad about Yellow Bird! I was not local to the shop, but had ordered via phone and they were so very nice and such great customer service. I'm certain there will be a void in that area now.
Kathie,
the next generation of quilters (now in their 20s, 30s, & 40s) is alive and kicking, but so is the internet that booms with free info, patterns, youtube videos of technique demos, spaces to congregate (flickr, blogs, online guilds) and of course, web based fabric shops. physical shops, especially those that do not also sell online, will naturally have a tough time competing. I want to do my part to support my LQS, but she doesn't really carry merchandise i need or want (or can't find cheaper elsewhere). In this area there aren't enough next gen quilters to encourage her shop to carry the popular trends in fabric, books and notions. heck, she doesn't even carry solids.
but anyway, my point is that quilting isn't dying, but the way the quilting community works, meets, learns, shares and shops has changed. I'm sad for your shop, I know it will leave a hole in your quilt community at home. But have faith, younger quilters will pass the craft on to the next generation (or i'll die trying..)
So sad...all of it. But as much as we try to support local shops, none can really compete with the breadth of selection that the internet offers, especially as fabric companies roll out more and more lines by the month. There's nothing like stopping in at your local shop for some browsing and inspiration though...and that "shop talk". Love that.
Unfortunately the internet has a lot to ansxwer for.
It may bring cyber friends together, but on the other hand it's killing local businesses like Yellow Bird.
Since I started quilting I've seen 3 quilt shops close, the reason given being they can't compete with online shopping and, of course, there are the overheads to take into consideration.
I can't believe it about guilds though. There's everyone saying that crafts are back with a bang due to the economy, and yet it doesn't ring true in some areas.
Ooohh - Word Verification - antiziz - love it!
I recently heard of the Yellow Bird closing and regret that I was never able to visit the shop although I was on the scene when it was coming together. I read comments of those internet shoppers and I do not shop that route for fabrics at all. I am lucky in that I live in an area that has a wealth of shops each offering something else... I also feel that quilters need these shope in order to step out of their comfort zone and challenge themselves. I don't think the internet can supply the interaction of spending time with other piecers and absorb those nuggets of information and tips.
Awwe, so sad. Little stores like that are my favourite places to shop.
losing a great quilt shop AND a state-wide guild? ack. as much as I love my e-friends and blogging and everything available on the net, human interaction is important too.
I was also so sad to hear Yellow Bird was closing. I just found the shop and I was at Retreat with Sue Spargo in 2008. It was my first time visiting Lansing and I had the best time. I was so impressed with the shop. I only wished I lived closer.
I am so sorry to hear about your Guild.
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