Inventory Liquidation

When I first launched Whipstitch in 2008, I was so excited to create a sewing lounge: a space where people could come, sew, get inspired, meet other like-minded stitchers, and pick up supplies to fuel their passion.  I began teaching sewing classes to adults in 2006, and everything that Whipstitch is or has become really was an outgrowth of that, and of my desire to share sewing with as many folks as I possibly can.  I have met amazing friends, been brought to tears more than once by the generosity and kindness that people are capable of displaying, laughed so much, hugged so much, and sewn so much through the blog and the shop.

Everyone who is part of the shop in Atlanta loves, loves, loves what we do there–and what we do best is teach sewing and create a vibrant community, in keeping with our mission: to lead people to passionately love sewing. And while we love the fabric we carry, too, both in Atlanta and online, the fabric isn’t and has never been the primary purpose or the heart of Whipstitch. Over time, our fabric inventory has grown and taken over a large proportion of the floor space in the Atlanta shop, and a large chunk of the staff’s time.  In exchange, we’ve had fewer hours and less room to teach classes and workshops, which our customers ask for and which we love doing.  And so, I’ve made the decision to liquidate our fabric inventory in order to better utilize our storefront space as a classroom and studio.

Whether you’re an Atlanta local or not, if you’ve been following Whipstitch at all these past few years, then for you this means three things: big discount on fabric in the coming weeks, more classes & events than ever to choose from, and the chance to come by Whipstitch and use our space to sew whenever you like.

In liquidating the fabric, we’re making room in the shop to create a second large classroom and multiple work stations, complete with sewing machines, sergers, and eventually a long-arm quilting machine. With additional classroom space plus the sewing lounge, we will have THREE spaces in which to teach classes, and we have more than DOUBLED our upcoming class listings as a result–we’re even adding knitting! Many of these classes are for our more experienced crowd–the folks who have taken Intro to Sewing and worked with patterns, and are ready for more involved garment sewing, for fitting and patternmaking, and looking for ways to further grow your skills.  We’ve hated that we just didn’t have enough hours in the day or days in the week to teach all the titles you have asked for, and now we’ll be doing just that. Hooray!  We can also plan more one-day workshops, more in-store events, and open up the shop for event rental (imagine: your next birthday party is a sewing party–think about it).  We’ve got book signings, special guests, trunk shows and more planned for this fall already, and the calendar just keeps growing.  We’re seriously looking forward to having you be part of it!

In addition, Whipstitch is now offering memberships! As an outgrowth of our classroom experiences, we are inviting folks to join as Whipstitch members and use our space to sew, to get inspired and to spread out. We know that many of you don’t have the room or the peace-and-quiet to get your sewing done at home, and you love to come by the shop and stay awhile. We want you to do that! We’re offering memberships at three different levels that will allow you to gain access to the shop, to our machines, our cutting tables, our irons, and our ambience. We’re excited to share those details with you–if you’re a local, just call the shop or come by and pick up a brochure; if you’re not near Atlanta, don’t worry!  We’re offering day passes, too, so you can make a trip to visit us and use the shop the whole time you’re here.  More details are available at the shop–if you’re nearby, come in and grab a brochure and take the virtual tour!

Now, back to that fabric liquidation. You heard me right: we’re selling off ALL of our fabric inventory to make way for the new shop layout and the changes we have planned.  After the transition to the new format, we’ll carry a small selection of hand-picked fabrics for our students and members, but will no longer sell online or to the general public.  Which means that right now, beginning today, ALL our inventory is looking for a good home at the lowest prices you’re likely to see, in town or online–including on the newest collections.  You’ll get 30% OFF everything in the shop from right this second until it’s gone! You can take that discount at the shop–no coupon necessary, it’s ALL discounted–or through our Etsy store by using code LIQUID.  We will be closing the Etsy shop after Labor Day, so come get it while you can!  We fully expect to sell out in the coming weeks at these prices,  and we want all this gorgeous fabric to have a good home so that we can get down to the business of making Whipstitch YOUR new home-away-from-home to sew.

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to let us know. Judging from the reaction so far, you all are as excited as I am, and the staff and I keep getting more excited each day at the thought of all the possibilities this change opens up for us. I’m really looking forward to sharing this next phase of Whipstitch with you, and hope you’ll be part of what we’re growing! Thanks again for always being the coolest, the funniest, the smartest, the kindest, and the most supportive people any of us could have the privilege of knowing.

**Sorry, no rain checks on discounted merchandise–when it’s gone, it’s gone!  No price corrections or refunds on previous purchases.  Discount does not apply to classes, camps or special orders.  Zippers, thread, some notions, and some books & patterns are excluded from the sale to reserve for our new members and students.  Thanks for everything, y’all! Can’t wait to share this next season of sewing with you!