Have you ever caught yourself asking, “Why aren’t things like they used to be?”
It’s a tempting question—but it might be the wrong one.
In fast-moving industries like ours, nostalgia can be comforting, but it won’t keep us relevant. Innovation isn’t just about the latest tech or trend—it’s about solving new problems in new ways and staying curious, adaptable, and a little fearless.
Instead of fossilizing in what worked before, we need to ask:
🧠What are people struggling with today?
🎯 How can we serve them better, faster, or differently?
💡 What can we experiment with—even if it’s outside our comfort zone?
Here are a few ways to stay relevant in today’s quilting industry:
Watch How Your Customers Actually Sew
Watch how your customers actually sew—not just what they make, but where they struggle. Every pause, fumble, or “I’ll finish it later” is a clue. These moments aren’t obstacles—they’re opportunities to create smarter tools, easier kits, and better experiences. The best ideas come from watching closely and solving real problems.
Offer Bite-Sized Creativity
Quick wins like kits and pre-cuts keep makers inspired, even when life gets busy. Not every project needs to be a masterpiece—sometimes, just finishing something feels like a triumph. Give your customers the tools to create with ease, joy, and momentum.
Collaborate
Fabric designers, shop owners, teachers, and makers all see the quilting world from different angles—and each perspective brings unique value. When we work together, we don’t just create products—we build better experiences, stronger communities, and more meaningful connections.
Follow Trends (But Don't Chase Them)
Stay in tune with trends, but don’t feel pressured to chase them. Watch for colors, themes, and moods emerging in fashion and home décor, then interpret them in a way that fits your brand and your customers. Inspiration is everywhere—make it uniquely yours.
Create Experiences, Not Just Products
Don’t just sell products—create experiences. Whether it’s a live demo, a virtual sew-along, or a thoughtfully written tutorial, these touchpoints invite customers into your world and build lasting connections. When you help people engage, learn, and succeed, you turn a simple product into something memorable and meaningful.
Use Digital Tools to Your Advantage
Use digital tools to your advantage—they can elevate every part of your business. From offering easy online ordering and instant downloads to streamlining your marketing efforts, digital accessibility helps you meet customers where they are. In a fast-paced world, making things simple and seamless isn’t just convenient—it’s essential.
We're evolving too! That’s why we’re excited to partner wit​h you through our new Custom Pre-cut Piecing Kits—a service designed specifically for quilt shops and fabric designers who want to offer something fresh, streamlined, and totally unique.
Whether you’re launching a new collection or looking to create limited-run kits that make your fabric shine, we’ll help you deliver beautifully cut, ready-to-piece shapes—no scissors, no stress. Think accurate, time-saving, and totally on-brand.
Because staying relevant doesn’t mean reinventing the wheel. It means showing up with solutions that make people say, “Where has this been all my life?”
To make the process even easier, we’re working hard at building a quilt block library—a growing collection of pre-designed, precision-tested blocks that will simplify and speed up custom cutting for your kits.
Have a favorite block or a new idea you’d love to see included? Let us know—we’re building this with you in mind.
Start writing here...
Jurassicing the Wrong Questions 🦖 (Let’s Talk Staying Relevant)