A Quilt Shop On The Farm

2007 - Volume #31, Issue #1, Page #08

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Lyn and Randy Hintz are third generation farmers. Raising their five children on the farm south of Barrhead, Alberta is important to them. After their second child was born, Lynn became a stay-at-home mom, a decision she has never regretted.
In 1994 Lyn took a quilting class and quickly "got the bug," becoming an enthusiastic quilter. After visiting a country quilt shop to purchase some material, Lyn thought,"I could do that!" and an idea for a home-based business was born.
Lyn went to the Yellowhead East Business Development Corporation(an Alberta government program) for advice and help. After completing courses in accounting, bookkeeping, management, business plan writing and then doing her own business plan, she was able to get a loan.
Lyn planned to purchase a trailer to house her business until Randy suggested that their 22 by 22-ft. attached garage could be converted. "I thought about it for 15 seconds," Lyn says, Then I called the contractor!"
Homestead Fabrics and Quilting opened in June, 2003. Lyn has built up an impressive selection of fabrics and supplies. She says that it's sometimes difficult to keep fabric current and that much of the money from the business goes back into fabric. When a fabric doesn't sell well, it is put on sale.
Lyn purchased a second hand long arm quilting machine on which to quilt for customers. Having this potential avenue of making money helped her in getting a loan and the long arm has proven to be popular. In 2005, Lyn quilted 120 quilts; 13 of those for Christmas gifts. She charges $100.00 for a basic queen size quilt with the price going up depending on the amount of customized work involved.
Even though Homestead Fabrics and Quilting is located close to town on a main highway, it is a challenge to bring in sufficient business and Lyn is always looking for new marketing ideas. From October to April she holds weekly classes on a variety of quilting techniques. Students usually buy their supplies from her and often become repeat customers.

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A Quilt Shop On The Farm 31-1-8 Lyn and Randy Hintz are third generation farmers. Raising their five children on the farm south of Barrhead, Alberta is important to them. After their second child was born, Lynn became a stay-at-home mom, a decision she has never regretted. In 1994 Lyn took a quilting class and quickly "got the bug," becoming an enthusiastic quilter. After visiting a country quilt shop to purchase some material, Lyn thought,"I could do that!" and an idea for a home-based business was born. Lyn went to the Yellowhead East Business Development Corporation(an Alberta government program) for advice and help. After completing courses in accounting, bookkeeping, management, business plan writing and then doing her own business plan, she was able to get a loan. Lyn planned to purchase a trailer to house her business until Randy suggested that their 22 by 22-ft. attached garage could be converted. "I thought about it for 15 seconds," Lyn says, Then I called the contractor!" Homestead Fabrics and Quilting opened in June, 2003. Lyn has built up an impressive selection of fabrics and supplies. She says that it's sometimes difficult to keep fabric current and that much of the money from the business goes back into fabric. When a fabric doesn't sell well, it is put on sale. Lyn purchased a second hand long arm quilting machine on which to quilt for customers. Having this potential avenue of making money helped her in getting a loan and the long arm has proven to be popular. In 2005, Lyn quilted 120 quilts; 13 of those for Christmas gifts. She charges $100.00 for a basic queen size quilt with the price going up depending on the amount of customized work involved. Even though Homestead Fabrics and Quilting is located close to town on a main highway, it is a challenge to bring in sufficient business and Lyn is always looking for new marketing ideas. From October to April she holds weekly classes on a variety of quilting techniques. Students usually buy their supplies from her and often become repeat customers.

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