Skip to content
Menu
Quiltblox Website Logo - 4 Quiltblox.com

Quilting Patterns and all Kinds of Quilty Treasures

  • HOME
    • RETURN POLICY
    • PRIVACY POLICY
    • PDF DOWNLOAD PRODUCTS – Frequently Asked Questions
  • ABOUT
    • LET’S CONNECT
  • SHOP
    • Apparel and Wearable Art
    • Batting
    • Books
      • Quilting Cozies
    • Brands
      • C and T Publishing
      • Connecting Threads
      • Fat Quarter Shop
      • Keepsake Quilting
      • Legit Kits
      • Oliso
      • Quilt Keeper
      • Quilting Daily
      • Sew Steady
      • Thermoweb
    • Crafting Business
    • Cutting Mats
    • Embroidery
    • English Paper Piecing
    • EQ8
    • Fabric Marking Tools
    • Fabrics
      • Fabric Yardage
      • Pre-Cuts
      • Sale Fabrics
    • Clearance Fabrics
    • Foundation Paper Piecing
    • Free Motion Quilting
    • Fusibles, Interfacing and Adhesives
    • Hand Sewing
    • Irons and Pressing Tools
    • Kits
    • Laundry and Fabric Prep
    • Lighting
    • Needles (Machine)
    • Notions
    • Patterns
    • Pins and Clips
    • Puzzles
    • Quilt Hangers
    • Quilt Labels
    • Quiltblox Patterns
    • Rotary Cutters and Blades
    • Rulers and Templates
    • Scissors
    • Storage and Organization
    • Thread
    • Tools
    • Trolleys, Totes and Cases
  • BLOG
  • LEARN
    • APPLIQUE
    • CREATE AN INTERESTING QUILT BACK
    • FABRIC CARE AND PREP
    • GIVING BACK
    • HALF SQUARE TRIANGLES
    • PARTIAL SEAMS
    • QUILT LABELS
    • QUILT MATH
    • TEMPERATURE QUILTS
  • CONTACT ME
  • SUBSCRIBE
  • BIRTHDAY CLUB
  • AFFILIATE PARTNERS
  • WHOLESALE
  • EVENTS
  • RESOURCES
  • QUILTBLOX/PAYHIP
Quiltblox Website Logo - 4 Quiltblox.com

Quilting Patterns and all Kinds of Quilty Treasures

It Pays to do Some Research – Market Finds

By Deb - Quiltblox on November 8, 2023November 8, 2023

A big part of my job as a shop owner is to research new products. Sounds like a fun part of the job – right? It is, and I love doing it. That being said, there’s a lot that goes into researching new products that I might want to carry in the shop.

Product research - Image

Even though many of the products I feature in the shop are affiliate links to the product I’m offering – I need to be every bit as picky as I would be if I were stocking that product on a physical shelf.

Perhaps – even more so because I’m trusting another company to take good care of you.

So … what are the things I look for when I’m researching a new quilting product?

  • Functionality – does it solve a real problem and does it work as intended?
  • Quality – is it well made and can it be expected to have a reasonably useful life?
  • Value – is the price reasonable for the type of product it is?
  • Shipping – where is the product shipped from, and who does the shipping?
  • Ergonomics – does it feel good in my hand – and when I’m using it?
  • Design – is the design pleasing (we quilters are visual people), and it’s a bonus if it comes in purple (just sayin’ ; )
  • The Gotta Have It Factor – would I spend my own money on it?

As you can see – that’s a lot of things to consider, so it takes me a bit to do that research before I’m comfortable putting a product on my “virtual” shelves. One of the most efficient ways for me or any other shop owner to do that research is to attend Quilt Market in Houston. This is a show specifically created for Shop owners to visit with vendors and try out new products. Not going to lie – it was a whole lot of fun!

What kind of products was I looking for at Quilt Market (and that you can expect to see on my virtual shelves soon)? Here was my shopping list:

  • Rotary Cutters – I want to add a new more ergonomic rotary cutter to the shop. My hands have been struggling with the rotary cutter I’ve been using all these years. I found one I love – and it’s on its way to me now. By the time you read this – I’ll be using it to cut out a new quilt. You’ll be seeing it soon.
  • Needle Threaders – I’ve tried a few and you may remember that I asked you about your favorites a few weeks ago. I’ve bought up a bunch of different ones to test. Once I narrow it down to the ones that I think work the best – I’ll share them with you.
  • Ideas for using panels – I love panels – but found I wasn’t doing much with them. That’s all changed – I got some great ideas and will be sharing where I got my inspiration soon.
  • Quilting frames for use in a small space – I want to be able to do the quilting on some of my projects, but my space is pretty small. I found just what I was looking for. Once I get it in place and can test it – I’ll be sharing that too.
  • English Paper Piecing Supplies – I found something new to me that I am testing out now. So excited about this product!
  • Irons – my iron needs an upgrade and I’m switching to the Oliso iron. They have come out with a new smaller project iron that was introduced at Quilt Market – and it completely sold out. It’s going to take a few weeks before mine arrives. Once it does – you’ll see it on my “virtual” shelves.

There are some other things I was looking for as well but those will take longer to get them in so that I can test them. I love my job!!


Subscribe Today – You’ll be glad you did!
Share with a friend

Post navigation

The Quiltblox eNewsletter – November 1, 2023
And the Survey Says – Quilt Design Software
Search for:

New On The Blog

  • Quiltblox eNewsletter Graphic
    The Quiltblox eNewsletter – June 1, 2025
  • Selecting fabrics for Your Fabric Stash
    Focus on Fabric – What Color is Your Stash Missing?
  • Portable Projects - English Paper Piecing
    Portable Stitching Projects: Sewing On The Go
  • Quiltblox eNewsletter Graphic
    The Quiltblox eNewsletter – May 21, 2025
  • Quilting Acronyms - How Many Can You Guess
    Quilting Acronyms – Fill In The Blank

Welcome to the Quiltblox Shop

  • Shop All Products
    • Apparel and Wearable Art
    • Batting
    • Books
      • Quilting Cozies
    • Brands
      • C and T Publishing
      • Connecting Threads
      • Fat Quarter Shop
      • Keepsake Quilting
      • Legit Kits
      • Oliso
      • Quiltblox
      • Quilting Daily
      • Quilt Keeper
      • Sew Steady
      • Thermoweb
    • Crafting Business
    • Cutting Mats
    • Embroidery
    • English Paper Piecing
    • EQ8
    • Fabric Marking Tools
    • Fabrics
      • Fabric Yardage
      • Pre-Cuts
      • Sale Fabrics
      • Clearance Fabrics
    • Free Motion Quilting
    • Foundation Paper Piecing
    • Fusibles, Interfacing and Adhesives
    • Gifts
    • Hand Sewing
    • Irons and Pressing Tools
    • Kits
    • Laundry and Fabric Prep
    • Lighting
    • Needles (Hand Sewing)
    • Needles (Machine)
    • Notions
    • Patterns
    • Pins and Clips
    • Puzzles
    • Quilt Hangers
    • Quilt Labels
    • Quiltblox Patterns
    • Rotary Cutters and Blades
    • Rulers and Templates
    • Scissors
    • Storage and Organization
    • Thread
    • Tools
    • Trolleys, Totes and Cases
Subscribe to the Quiltblox eNewsletter Today

Upcoming Events

May 1
May 1 @ 10:00 am - June 30 @ 5:00 pm PDT

All Indiana Shop Hop

May 1
May 1 @ 10:00 am - June 30 @ 5:00 pm PDT

All New York Shop Hop

Jun 1
June 1 @ 10:00 am - July 31 @ 5:00 pm PDT

All Iowa Shop Hop

Jun 1
June 1 @ 10:00 am - July 31 @ 5:00 pm PDT

All Michigan Shop Hop

Jun 20
June 20 @ 10:00 am - June 21 @ 4:00 pm PDT

Willamette Valley Quilters – Quilts in Bloom

View Calendar

FIND ME ON

Quilt Alliance Member
FabShop Member Logo

SUBSCRIBE

Get the Newsletter
Join the Birthday Club

CONTACT

MAILING ADDRESS:

QUILTBLOX
PO Box 3
Beaverton, OR 97075


MESSAGES

Voice  / Text - 503.644.5678
Copyright © 2025 Quiltblox. All Rights Reserved.