Shop Local, Shop Small

Shopping local is smart. Here are six reasons that shopping local tells the world you are a savvy shopper!

1. You know your seller and the person who made your purchase. Most of the quilts, table runners, aprons, bags etc are made by members of the two quilting groups at First United Methodist. We do have some items donated to us by non-members but usually we have ties to these persons. For example, my daughter in law donated a Christmas quilt. At the Sale in October, you can personally meet these persons, they are in the teal t-shirts refolding quilts and serving coffee. Ask us who made a quilt and we can tell you. Find the maker and they will sew a personalized label on your quilt or a hanging sleeve on your wall hanging.
2. Most of the items are unique, one of a kind. The quilts are not mass produced in a sweat shop in China. Most quilters don’t even make the same pattern twice. And if they do, it is in different fabrics.
3. By buying local, you are reducing the carbon footprint. Your quilt or table runner was not flown to Wichita and trucked to your home. (That said, we will mail your purchase to you.) And yes, the fabric we used was not locally milled and printed, it had to be shipped to local shops or from an online store. But, we are the Queens of Scraps! We use left over fabric from a previous project, we use donated fabric, we use quality fabric found at garage and estate sales and thrift shops, we use each other’s fabric. Very little fabric makes it to the landfill from us.
4. We pay local taxes. The local, county and state tax combined is 7.5%. That translates to every $100 you spend, we only keep $92.5 for our ministries. I don’t begrudge taxes–we need fire and police departments, parks and libraries. When you shop local the taxes stays in here.
5. Great prices! We sell beautiful well made items very inexpensively. All the materials, equipment and time is donated by the quilters.

(Chart is by Janet Bate, found on Pinterest–and yes, fabric does cost $13 a yard or more)

No one would buy a quilt, if the cost of the fabric, batting, pattern, quilting and time were figured into the project. Our projects are priced to sell. Our sale is a bargain shoppers paradise–quality pieces for sale prices.

6. All, yes all of the money goes to two ministries in our Church that are not limited to members of the Church. The Religious Nurture Center for adults with disabilities is open to all. The TV ministry is for anyone that tunes in on Sunday morning–persons that are in care facilities or homebound, persons who don’t feel comfortable “going to church”, persons who don’t have a Church they can attend in their community..the viewers tune in for as many different reasons as there are viewers. This ministry is very expensive and our contribution is a small part of their budget but welcomed.

There you are–six reasons for feeling great because you shopped locally–at the Quilts Etc. Sale!

🧵New projects this week—–

Remember I wrote that most quilters don’t use the same pattern twice? Well, Elaine did but two different fabric lines were used for two different looks.

Sunflowers and bees, sure signs of late summer and early fall. The backing is the tiny bee fabric. 12.5″ x 37″. $40

This simple floral patch quilt would be great for a floor play quilt or a car quilt. The yellow is gender neutral. Measuring 53″ x 53′”, is machine quilted and very washable. $45

This “butterfly” quilt is made with fabric that reminds me of Asian prints or prints from the Art Nouveau period. This a sophisticated use of pink, purple and blues.

The backing is a simple light batik. This photo allows you to see the machine quilting design. The quilt measures 62″ x 80″. $200

Please share with your friends that shopping locally—especially at the Quilts Etc. Sale can be fun, ecologically smart and a bargain!