Quilting in Washington “The Giving People”

1. Quilting in Washington“The Giving People” Lt. Governor’s Legislative Committee on Economic Development and International Relations October 13, 2010 Presented by Linda Hill and Cindy Roth

2. History of Quilting • Started as necessity to keep warm, possibly from the Chinese or Egyptians • Came to America with the first settlers • Moved west with the pioneers • Over the years construction techniques have changed • Hand sewn and hand quilted & tied • First quilts were utilitarian; made with any scraps the women had • As economic times improved and more fabric was available, women began to use quilts as an artistic outlet. • Machine sewn and hand quilted • Sewing machine as we know it was patented in 1846 • Machine sewn and machine quilted • Quilting became extremely easier with the development of the rotary cutter.

3. Quilt Uses • Bed coverings • Baby blankets • Wall hangings • Home Accessories • Clothing • Raffles • Comfort for the sick • Stress Reliever (much cheaper than a psychiatrist • Note: most quilts are given away, not sold

4. Quilting in USA • Estimated value of quilting market in 2010: $3.58 billion (+9% since 2006) • At least $720,000 in Washington • Quilting Households: 16.38 million • Total Number of Quilters: 21.3 million • Includes casual quilters who may have made only a few quilts such as baby quilts • Quilt shops individually owned (no franchises) Information taken from Quilting in America™ 2010 Detailed Report

5. Dedicated Quilter Profile • Female • 62 years old • Well educated (72% attended college) • Affluent ($91,602 HH income) • Spends on average $2,442 per year on quilting • Quilting for an average of 16 years • This is NOT a cheap hobby • Many of these dedicated quilters started quilting as their children grew up and the women had more time to sew • Also, 16 years ago, 1994, was about the time machine quilting began to become accepted within the quilting community • Above is profile of dedicated quilter; however many younger people are starting to quilt. • School age students has entries in Puyallup Fair 4-H exhibits Information taken from Quilting in America™ 2010 Detailed Report

6. Quilting Information for Washington • Approximately 140 Quilt Shops • Numerous guilds/Church organizations • Many focus groups, including: • American Hero Group (Quilts for wounded soldiers returning to Madigan from Iran and Afghanistan) 150 per month • Project Linus for children with cancer • Quilts given to police and fire departments for children in distress • Homeless shelters • Women’s crisis Centers • Hospice groups • Ronald McDonald House • Quilt shows i.e., • Association of Professional Northwest Quilters • WA State Quilters, Spokane Chapter • Quilters Anonymous in Monroe • Shop Hops • Held in many areas of the state • Western Washington had 54 participating shops in 2010 • Shoppers come from many states and some foreign countries

7. Quilting Information for Washington, continued • La Conner Quilt & Textile Museum • New displays 4 times per year • Features works of many Washington quilters • Sewing Expo • One of largest in the US • Attendees from all over the US and foreign countries • Held annually at Puyallup Fair Grounds every February • Rusty Barn Sewing & Crafts Expo • Held annually at Puyallup Fair Grounds every November • Innovations Longarm Quilting Conference • Held annually in September in Tacoma • Attendees from all over the US and Canada

8. Quilters’ Tools - Purchases • Necessities: • Fabric • Sewing machine • Notions: scissor, needles, rotary cutter, cutting mat, rulers, seam ripper, etc. • Thread • Patterns • Designated sewing area • Optional • Books • Embroidery Machine • Longarm Quilting Machine • Magazines

9. Quilting Economic Contributions within WashingtonMonies coming in and going out • Quilt shops • Chain fabric stores • Sewing Machine Stores (may be in Quilt Shops) • Sewing Machines $200 - $13,000 • Embroidery Machines $400 - $13,000 • Longarm Machines • Mid Arm $6,000 • Long Arm $50,000 • Longarm Quilting Services • Pattern Designers • Individuals • Shop owners • Authors • Book Publisher • Martingale – in Bothell • Self-published • Notion Manufacturer • Omnigrid • Fabric Manufacturer • In the Beginning Fabrics in Seattle • Clothworks in Seattle • Warm and Natural Batting (Headquarters in Lynnwood, Manufacturing in Elma) • Quilting Classes • Retreat Centers

10. Quilting Two Step Process • Create the Quilt Top. (Piecer) • Cut fabric into small shapes and pieces. • Sew pieces back together to make pleasing design • Stitch the Quilt. (Quilter) • Sandwich quilt • Pieced top • Batting • Backing fabric • Stitch sandwich together with thread to make the “quilt.”

11. Professional Machine Quilters in Washington • Quilt many of the thousands of quilt tops made each year • At least 1800 within the state • 75% live in Western Washington • 80% are licensed businesses • Majority gross $5,000 to $15,000 per year • Majority charge $100 to $200 for labor quilting Queen Size Quilt (does not include charges for thread, batting, backing or binding)

12. State Considerations for Quilters • Include quilt displays in state museums as part of Washington history • Hold show in Capital Building • Have Governor acknowledge state quilters on National Quilting Day – 3rd Saturday in March • Clarify tax codes for machine quilters – service vs. manufacturing • Provide grants to help guilds hold quilt shows • Provide grants to help start-up quilting businesses • Marketing campaign promoting local home based businesses