I interned at Leatherstocking Quilts in Oneonta where I gained knowledge about traditional quilting and supported the store in their fabric inventory and got the opportunity to engage with textile distributors. This experience gave me a better understanding of fabric sourcing, merchandising, and the importance of maintaining strong relationships with suppliers and customers.
Final Project Outcome
This project is a summary of separate projects and work done around Leatherstocking Quilts. It features different pictures taken around the store, and my projects completed along with quilting events that Jeanne Turner and I attended and supported! This showcases my passion and involvement in learning new techniques and methods in fashion and textiles while actively engaging with the store and quilting community.
What I did
During my internship at Leatherstocking Quilts, I assisted with organizing and managing fabric inventory, cutting fabric for customers, and creating quilting kits for the store. I also helped change displays and supported the visual presentation of products to create an inviting shopping environment. In addition, I attended and assisted with quilting events alongside Jeanne Turner, where I engaged with customers and the quilting community. Through these experiences, I gained hands-on knowledge in textiles, customer service, merchandising, and retail operations.
What I learned
Through this internship, I learned more about traditional quilting techniques, textile materials, and the overall operations of a fabric and quilting business. I developed stronger customer service and communication skills by assisting customers with fabric cutting and product questions. I also gained experience in merchandising by helping create displays and organizing inventory throughout the store. Additionally, working with quilting kits and distributors helped me better understand fabric sourcing, retail management, and the importance of community engagement within the fashion and textile industry.
What’s next for me
Moving forward, I plan to continue expanding my knowledge in fashion and textiles through future internships, projects, and hands-on experiences. This internship strengthened my interest in fabric design, merchandising, and retail operations, which will help me in pursuing a career in the fashion industry. I also hope to apply the skills I learned at Leatherstocking Quilts to my future goal of creating my own clothing brand and store. Overall, this experience has helped me grow both professionally and creatively.
