I had never been to Quilters Patch before. Today (11/11/2015 at 1300) I went having been to another quilt shop beforehand. I was hoping that this experience would be better, but I was feeling a little disheartened. As I mentioned in the leading post on why I am doing these reviews the way a shop makes you feel is super important and I left this store feeling uplifted and inspired.
So for the basics
Address 9/3 Tuck st, Moorabbin 3189
Phone 9555-0010
Web http://thequilterspatch.com.au/
Open Mon-Friday 1000-1700
Saturday 1000-1600
The store is described as a quilting shop and a gathering place for all things quilting. The shop is tucked away but easy to find as there is a cane chair out the front with a quilt draped over it. There is plenty of parking in the street. The owner Laurene Horsnell opened this shop when another popular quilting shop in Mentone closed. This meant that regular customers had nowhere to buy quality fabrics and products. That there was no-one offering quality classes. Prior to opening the store, Laurene was quilting from home with her long arm machine in her garage.
Laurene offers a service for long arm quilting. She doesn’t use computers she draws her designs by hand.
There are sit and sew classes offered as well as many quilting classes for varying skill levels.
My experience
Elements measured
Window display (Is what a prospective customer first sees that draws them to your store, to the signage that directs them around, and the merchandising displays that catch their eye and ultimately influence them to purchase something)
The window is bright and light. It advertises an upcoming class on offer. There was a lovely wicker chair out the front that had a quilt draped over the front that also helped to locate the store. (Score 9 out of 10)
The layout of store/presentation (Presentation should serve to fulfill your customer’s needs as they shop with you. A good store design and layout will ensure that shoppers can move comfortably and easily throughout the space, and it will allow them to find what they’re looking for)
Stepping into the store, there are bursts of colour everywhere. It is simple and clean, not at all cluttered. The fabric is grouped into coloured groups and also into fabric groups such as batiks. There is plenty of fabrics and a diverse selection. There are patterns throughout offering inspiration as you walk around. There is a separate wall of notions. There a quilts on display and for sale in the shop. (Score 8 out of 10)
Staffing
There was only one staff member on when I went in who I later found out was the owner Laurene. A few moments after I walked in she asked me if I needed anything but eft me to browse at my leisure. Once I had picked out a fabric and bought it to the counter it was cut with a rotary cutter. While I was making the transaction we chatted about what I was making and what I might like to do with my WIPs and future WIPs. We also talked about what Laurene was working on which was really lovely and inspirational. She also mentioned fabric groups that they run and that there is a fabric frolic coming up in January. (Scoring 10/10)
My experience vs stores objectives
Overall I score the store today 27 out of 30. I really enjoyed my trip to the quilters patch. I felt that the visit to the store was more than just a fabric buying experience. They offer more than just fabric and notions. The customer service is really lovely. They promote their classes and quilting groups well and well as future quilting excursions that they are part of. I left the store feeling happy and looking forward to coming back to look into classes or groups to participate in. It was also lovely that Laurene invited me to come back to the shop to discuss my projects with her anytime. That makes you feel that you can find someone with that experience to help you and understand you. It means a lot from a bricks and mortar store.
