Shop Hop Happy with a Strategic Plan

Quilters Harvest Hop is right around the corner . . September 15th, 16th, and 17th, is the annual Quilters Harvest Hop which covers twelve shops in Northern California - YOU GOT TO HAVE A PLAN .. not just logistically making it happen but, what would you like to accomplish during this shopping excursion.

I have been on a few shop hops, and I have discovered it is very easy to become overwhelmed. After all, a shop hop is not just a few days visiting quilt stores, it is an EVENT. Events if not well thought and planned out, can become overwhelming. Shop Hops draw hundreds of customers to each shop. During the shop hop you will visit new beautiful shops you may have never visited before; Not only are you taken back by all the beautiful fabric and shop layout, you are discovering what each shop specializes in. I found it extremely difficult to get my thoughts around a new project, selecting fabric and making my purchases purposeful. I purchased fabric I thought I liked, came home with not enough yardage for the project I decided after the fact to use the fabric on, patterns that I just had to have because the shop had it on display and it looked so cute, not to mention new gadgets or the latest notions that remain still in their package today.

This last June I went with some friends on the Central Coast Quilt Shop Hop, we went over 600 miles in three days and covered all nine participating shops. Going into this shop hop, I decided I wanted a different outcome. I began thinking and planning this shop hop for weeks, and what I would like to accomplish. I looked up on my wall and saw the Quilters Code, I laughed a little and decided this was a great place to start. All though a little humorous it truly helped me to start organizing my thoughts and making my list. So, just like grocery shopping I began making my shopping list and plan.

THINK ABOUT ..

What fabric you need to complete your WIP, UFO, & PHD Projects - Shop Hops are a great place to look for a particular fabric you need that may no longer be available at your local quilt store. Shopping List: Write down manufacture, designer and yardage needed, colored thread you may need or notions

Think about your NESTY Projects - Gifts for family or a friend's special occasions. Perhaps, you may consider a project for yourself. You may want to shop for a quilt kit that meets one of these needs or just commemorates your shop hop. Shopping List: Write down yardage needed with color idea, colored thread you may need or notion , s