Happy Holidays!
We’re closing out another year … where does the time go? No matter how you celebrate this time of year, Rick and I want to wish you peace, joy and a prosperous new year!
Do you have a little downtime planned in the next week or two? I hope so! And I want to remind you that everyone at The Quilting Connection will be taking some well-earned time off as well.
Both our Elkhorn and Appleton shops will be closed December 23rd through January 2nd. (But if you need anything, please email us at info@QuiltingConnection.com, and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can!)
As you might expect, with 2024 coming to a close, Rick and I have been reviewing this year’s data. As business owners, one of our tasks is to compare this year’s numbers to last year’s. And thanks to you, most of our metrics show growth! I’d love to share a few examples!
2024 in Numbers!
Sales
We were fortunate to increase new and used Handi Quilter and APQS machine sales by over 15%! We welcomed or upgraded 70 quilters in The Quilting Connection family. The most popular model this year? That honor goes to Handi Quilter’s Moxie XL with Pro-Stitcher Lite!
The percentage of quilters deciding to go computerized with either Handi Quilter’s Pro-Stitcher or APQS’s Quilt Path also increased. 61% of the machines purchased in 2024 included quilting software, up from 56% in 2023.
Service
And of course, to keep your machine humming smoothly, you need to follow its recommended maintenance schedule. We serviced 97 machines this year, an increase of 14%!
As you might suspect, servicing machines requires a little on-the-road time. We logged over 3,000 miles while servicing machines in 2024!
Machine Rentals
Another key component in The Quilting Connection’s business is renting time on our Handi Quilter longarms.
Between both our Elkhorn and Appleton locations, quilters logged at least 1,200 hours on the machines! Of that time, 84% of it was dedicated to computerized Pro-Stitcher quilting, while 16% of the time went to pantograph or free-motion quilting.
And the interest in renting time on our longarm machines continues to grow as well. This year, 90 additional quilters attended our Beginning Longarm Rental Class … up from 74 in 2023.
We’re so happy to have this growing number of quilters share their quilting experience with us! If you follow our Facebook posts, you’ve glimpsed the beautiful quilts coming off the frames!
Thread, Batting and Zippers … Oh, my!
And of course, if you’re quilting, you’re also using thread and batting.
When we rent time on our longarms, we calculate thread usage based on the number of bobbins used. In 2024, over 770 bobbins worth of thread was used … that’s almost 71,000 yards (or over 40 miles) of thread!
Sound like a lot? That’s only the bobbins! Double that number to account for all the thread used in the quilts … both top and bobbin thread!
Our batting sales took a really big jump this year. We sold over 512 yards of batting in 2024! And the top two sellers switched places with our 1st place seller being 4-ounce polyester followed in 2nd place by our 80/20 cotton/polyester batting.
And I can’t report sales without including our Quick Zip System™ of zippers! In 2024, over 1275 quilt/renter zipper sets were sold as well as 448 machine sets. While we ship our zipper systems all over the US, we also ship worldwide to countries including Canada, Puerto Rico, the UK and Australia!
Events
Were you able to attend one or more of the quilt shows we vended at this year?
We traveled to over 10 quilt shows in 2024, including shows in West Bend, Mukwonago, Green Bay, Appleton, Eagle River, Sheboygan and Madison, Wisconsin as well as Loves Park and Wheaton, Illinois.
Lots of numbers, right? The bottom line? None of this would be possible without you!!!
We are SO thankful FOR YOU … anyone who’s bought a machine or had one serviced, rented time, taken a class, and/or bought any of the products we carry!
Looking Ahead to 2025
Rick and I are hoping to make 2025 even better!
We’re planning more in the way of classes, shop events and quilt shows. (Check out the Classes and Events pages of our website for a glimpse of what’s coming!)
And we’ll be continuing our bi-weekly newsletter/blog post. In 2024, I covered a mix of topics including machine and product specifics, quilt space organization, quilter self-care and donation quilts.
PLEASE LET ME KNOW WHAT TOPICS YOU’D LIKE TO READ ABOUT!
This newsletter/blog post is for you. Help me answer your questions and provide the information you need!
Just reply to this email or comment on Facebook with possible topics.
Thank you!
So, let’s wrap up with a reminder of the final 2024 sales that are currently in progress.
Current Sales
The Quilting Connection, APQS, Superior Threads and Laurastar are all offering sales!
Laurastar Sale
Laurastar doesn’t offer sales very often, so if you’ve been considering investing in one of these incredible steam ironing systems, take advantage of this opportunity!
Laurastar Pre-holiday Promotion
Now through December 24th
When you check the Laurastar page of our website, you’ll find the ironing systems, Lift steam irons, Lift steam cart, IGGI handheld steamers and several accessories on sale!
In addition to the great sale prices, you get free Shipping and 3 free Filters!
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The Quilting Connection Inventory Reduction Sale
We have several used and floor model longarm machines available at prices geared to meet your budget!
Our current inventory includes:
- Infinity with Pro-Stitcher Premium on a 12-foot frame,
- Amara 20 with Pro-Stitcher Premium on a 12-foot frame,
- Avante with Pro-Stitcher Premium on a 12-foot frame,
- Simply Sixteen on a 5-foot frame,
- Capri 18 on InSight Table with extension, and
- Capri 18 on InSight Table (x2).
Be sure to check the Used Longarm Machines page on our website for the latest availability!
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The APQS Merry Millie Christmas Sale
If you’ve been dreaming about owning a Millie with the Quilt Path computerized quilting option, this may be your chance!
This sale runs through December 31st!
Please contact us for more information.
Call (262) 723-6775 or email us at info@QuiltingConnection.com.
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Superior Threads Sale
The Thread-A-Palooza Sale!
All in-stock thread is available at 15% off!
If you purchase online, use coupon code “thread”.
NOTE: Discounts can’t be combined. If you use “thread”, you cannot use “FreeShip”.
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PLEASE TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THESE SALES!
They are one of the few ways we can say THANK YOU
for being part of The Quilting Connection family!
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That’s everything for now. And again, HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!!
Please remember, if you ever have ANY questions or want additional information about ANY of the products and services we offer, please call us at (262) 723-6775 or email us at info@QuiltingConnection.com.
You can also visit us online at QuiltingConnection.com or in person at 21 Adams Street in Elkhorn, WI (usually M-F 9-4, please call to confirm we’re open) or 1017 W. Northland in Appleton, WI (W, Th & F 10-4, S 10-3).
Finally, check out our blog at QuiltingConnection.com/blog and our Facebook posts.
And please share your thoughts and questions. I’d love to hear from you!
Angie