Quilting in Washington The Giving People Lt Governor s

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

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.

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

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

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

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 Mc. Donald 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

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

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

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

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. ”

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)

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 – 3 rd 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