Submitted by Dianne McD.
I got Robin Long’s newsletter last week. She’s the owner of Robin Ruth Designs and the creator of those very fun Fat and Skinny Robin rulers.
She had just returned from the International Quilt Festival where she had a vendor booth. Besides telling us about all the fun she had at the show, she shared a link to the results of a survey taken to forecast the state of the quilting industry. I generally don’t give a hoot about surveys (or polls, for that matter), but I found these results kind of interesting.
According to the small print, the survey was funded by Premier Needle Arts and over 1 million people were invited to participate. 26,000 responded with 92% being from the United State, 6% from Canada, and 2% from other countries. You can click the button below to read about what was gleaned from the survey. The article is well designed, only three pages long, and VERY easy to read.
While this survey is meant for those who work in the quilting industry, I still found some of the information enlightening while not completely surprising. I’d love to know what you think about their findings. Tell us in the comments section below.
I’ll start. The article describes quilters by beginning with the words “She is:” That bugs me. Because there are many talented gentlemen who also quilt and have brought great talent and diversity to the quilting world. Perhaps “They are:” would have been a better choice.
But that’s a minor gripe. The rest of the article is well worth your time.
Click to Read the Survey Results
Thanks for forwarding the results of the survey. I, too, participated in the survey and wonder how the results would be published. It’s comforting to know I share many elements with my community of quilters – oh that age!, currently sewing out of my own stash, size of quilts made. I know several younger quilters and wonder if they would have taken the survey as I recall it was long. So many younger quilters are so busy with work, family, managing a busy life that they may not have been represented. I am always encouraged to see younger folks take up fibers such as knitting, sewing and quilting. It can sustain them during challenging times.
thanks for sharing Dianne! I participated in the poll so since to see the results! Interesting to see the age and income demographics, not surprising. This poll had about 25% response which is not bad but probably leaves out a large group of new, younger quilters. We need to foster the growth of quilting with this group! Younger quilters have also promoted the art of quilting online and sharing communities for those who do not have a family history of quilting.
My favorite point is googling “how to” do something!
Wow…I feel they were looking over my shoulder when they listed those “She is” bullet points. Of note…starts 10-12 quilts per year. It did not mentioned the word “finishes.” Loved seeing this. Encouraging how many of us are out there!!!