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Sunday, September 12, 2010

Contest, Shop Hopping & Madison Quilt Expo ~ Part One

My girlfriends and I have returned from our trip to the holy-land of quilting, where our favorite shops and the Madison Quilt Expo inspired us, and we are jazzed & ready to sew!  We were able to visit two of the four shops that are my all-time favorites.  (That doesn't mean that there aren't other truly wonderful shops in the area, but these just happen to be my favorites.)  They are, in no particular order: JJ Stitches - Sun Prairie, WI; The Country Sampler - Spring Green, WI; The Quilter's General Store - Rockford, IL, and The Quilt Merchant - Winfield, IL.  Rest assured, in future posts, I will talk about other top notch, inspiring shops in the Mid-West.  But for now, back to our shop hop!

First stop Friday morning was to J.J. Stitches.  JJ's, as we lovingly call it, is owned by Julie Hendricksen.  Many of you may know of Julie because she has published loads of her antique quilts in American Patchwork & Quilting magazine, and designs fabric for Windham.  These are but a few of her many talents!

This is the scene as you enter the shop!  Total eye candy, isn't it?  It's always like this, no matter when you go there.  Julie and the shop girls work hard to change the displays in the store frequently, keeping things fresh and inspiring.



All of the quilts that you see on the walls and those tucked here and there are available as kits!  Don't we all love kits!  Notice the fabric on the floor right in front of the white iron bed?


That's Julie's newest fabric collection for Windham, called Miniatures, a yummy collection of soft pinks, browns, neutrals, and a few fun reds!  It had just arrived a few days before.  That is one of the reasons I went to JJ's...to pick up yardage so that I can use it in a quilt I have designed for my club, The Prairie Women's Sewing Circle.  (I am now designing the projects for Journey 2.) 

You can visit J.J.Stitches for yourself at http://www.jjstitches.com/.  I will have even more J.J. Stitches goodies to share with you when I write a post about the Madison Expo in a few days, so... stay tuned.

The last stop on our shop hop was to The Country Sampler, owned by Jeanne Horton.  Like Julie, many of you may know Jeanne, not only for her fabulous store, and great quilt kits, but also for the lovely vintage fabric she designs for Windham as well.  Jeanne's latest line is called Simpler Tymes, and is a luscious collection of vintage style fabrics that I will be using for the club as well. 

I don't have photos of the inside of the shop because when I was there, Jeanne was at the Expo.  I asked permission to take photos, and the shop girls didn't feel comfortable saying yes unless the boss was there.  I totally respect that!  That's why I always ask.  But let it suffice to say that your trip to the shop will have you filled with inspiration by all you see there, and you'll shop an awesome collection of fabric!  The Country Sampler is well known for their wonderful quilts, all available as kits as well.


 You'll see a photo of Jeanne and the Country Sampler booth in a few days.  In the meantime, Jeanne has lots of pictures of the shop on her website, which is www.sgcountrysampler.com/

After a day of shop hopping, visiting, and laughing, we only had to walk a few feet to to arrive at the door of our overnight nest within the 2nd Story, a retreat space owned and run above The Country Sampler quilt shop!  Dinner, PJ's, and a favorite movie relaxed us for the evening in preparation for our day at the Quilt Expo.
I did think of you, dear friends, while at the Expo, and picked up this cute little needful pincushion made from an old Grandmother's Flower Garden quilt.  So, for my very first contest, please leave a comment about your favorite quilt shop(s), giving the location of the city and state as well.  The contest will end on Friday night, and I will post the winner (doing the random number generation thingy) on Saturday.  In the next few days, I will post more about the Madison Quilt Expo, so stay tuned!






25 comments:

  1. My favorite shop is the Olde World Quilt Shoppe in Phoenix, Arizona. Lots of kits and tons of reproduction fabrics, homespuns and wools. Hate to be the first to comment. I realy would love to add that pincushion to my collection, but the random number thingy never picks #1. Good luck to everyone.

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  2. My favorite shop is Suzy's Quilt Shop in Garland Texas. She specializes in reproductions, 30's and Civil War and lots and lots of Moda! Her shop is located in downtown Garland, on the square in an old clothing store. Lots of character to the building. Her staff is very nice and helpful - willing to take as much time with you as needed. She had a wonderful turnout for The Prairie Women Club. Everyone is enjoying your projects and our teacher is doing alot of history research for us. Take care, Karen Wood

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  3. My favorite quilt shop in GA is Little Quilts in Marietta, GA. They have lots of reproduction fabric, punchneedle and wool projects. My favorite quilt shop overall is The Woolen Needle in Williamsburg, IA. It is featured in the current issue of Quilt Sampler....an amazing shop!

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  4. Primitive Gatherings in Menasha, Wisconsin rates pretty highly on my list! It's to hard to choose - I have several favorites! The Quilt Merchant in Winfield, Illinois, The Country Sampler in Spring Green, Wisconsin, JJ Stitches of course in Sun Prairie, Wisconsin, The Old Country Store in Intercourse, Pennsylvania, The Fabric Shack in Waynesville, Ohio, The Quilt Box in Dry Ridge, Kentucky, The Cotton Shop in Muscatine, Iowa, A Touch of Amish in Barrington, Illinois, Country Threads in Garner, Iowa - and there are a ton more. I'm just to lazy to continue to type them out!

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  5. Mama's Quilt Shop in Independence, Louisiana. First of all, "Mama" is 94 years young and still quilts everyday! She is the sweetest lady with plenty of stories and great advise for us novice quilters. He daughter owns and operates the shop and is as sweet as Mama. And OMG! the fabric! Beautifully arranged...very customer friendly.

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  6. My favorite quilt shop is in Aberdeen SD, The Fabric Bin. The owner is so very helpful in picking out fabrics and patterns...A person can't help but feel good about themselves when leaving this store. Please stop on by...

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  7. I have to many to list my top 2 favorites are gardniers sew and quilt in Ogden Utah and Heritage Fabrics also in Ogden, they both have a wonderful collection! Its like a breath of fresh air!

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  8. my favorite is Quilting Possibilities in Bayville, NJ. Great samples, and kits all over the place, lots of fabrics and patterns, wonderful staff that works there...and sewing machines! i get to go in and drool....

    betsey

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  9. my favorite quilt shop is helens sycenter in lidköping,sweden,she is so nice,and has plenty of fabrics,susi

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  10. My favorite (if I have to pick one) is "Burning the Midnight Oil" in Erie, PA. Not a huge shop, but very nice reproductions and a super nice owner, Heather.

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  11. My favorite shop this side of the Continental Divide is "Nuts & Bolts Needleworks" in Woodland Park, CO. This shop is only two years old, but has the combined knowledge and friendliness of the best out there. Stocked with a nice variety of cottons, flannels and batiks, as well as supplies and even yarn and books. The staff always greets you, is super helpful at helping you find just what you need - including that cookie over by the husband's corner. They have lots of wonderful classes, too.

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  12. Stitchin Heaven in Quitman TX

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  13. welcome to blogland!
    I love shopping at the Hayloft in Morganville Pa
    would love to shop at JJ STitches in person and The Lone Star Quilt shop in Arlington Texas.

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  14. The Quilt Merchant in Winfield, IL is such a welcoming and pleasant place to shop, to browse, to drop in and chat. This is my #1 all time favorite quilt shop.

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  15. I would have to choose two quilt shops for different reasons. 1st is Quilters Corner in Finleyville PA. Mary Beth carries a wonderful selection of reproduction fabrics (a long with a large selection of other fabrics). Second I would say is The Quilt Company in Allison Park PA. They have a wonderful selection of Batiks and Karen Montomery (shop owner and designer) has designed many wonderful quilts using Batik fabrics.

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  16. My favorite quilt shop would have to be The Quilted Crow in Hobart, Tasmania, Australia. l have just been to visit last weekend,and you can see photos in my recent blog post. l would love to shop in all the above mentioned shops, and hope to work my way around america visiting them all over the coming years.

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  17. My new favorite quilt shop is Quilter's Quarters in Independence, Iowa. Why - because they have so much fabric amd she keeps the prices lots lower than other QS. Love the pincushion!

    Janet

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  18. My favorite quilt shop is The Village Mercantile in Boonville, Indiana. She has everything, but she specializes in the Civil War, Thirties, wool, homespuns, and so much more. She has tons of patterns and quilting books. Her store has a cozy and warm feel. There are lots of samples, kits, and friendly staff.

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  19. My favorite quilt shop is Traditional Pastimes in Calgary, AB. We are lucky to have such a great shop up here in Calgary. When I go visit my mom, I love the Quilted Crow in Springfield, OR. Now, if I could ever get down to So. CA, I know there were be a favorite down there!

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  20. Hi Pam ~ I love the giveaway ~ favorite shop? that's a tough one but let's say Ye Olde SchoolHouse in Cedarburg WI ~ have fun filled day!

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  21. One of my most favorite quilt shops is located in Paradise California called "Morning Star Quilts". As you enter the front door you are greeted by at least one of the staff members and quickly are made to feel at home. They are most knowledgeable and willing to offer tips and suggestions.

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  22. One of my favorite quilt shops is "The Rabbits' Lair" in Rogers, Arkansas. It is a 3 hour drive and I have not visited since they changed locations, but they use to have a downstairs room full of 'treasures'. They also have lots of primitive patterns and fabrics. Have visited others in surrounding states and any shop stuffed full of fabric and lots of display quilts is always fun to explore.

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  23. I have two favorite quilt shops--Eagle Creek Quilt Shop in Shakopee, MN, and Ye Olde Schoolhouse in Cedarburg, WI. Both have been featured in Quilt Sampler magazine and I was fortunate to get to write the profile on Ye Olde Schoolhouse!

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  24. My favorite quilt shop is, by far, The Woolen Willow in Williamstown, WV. Even tho I live about 3 hours north, in Ohio, I try to make a trip there often.

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  25. My favorite quilt shop is Calico Cupboard in Pataskala, Ohio and owner by Sherry Monfort. This quilt shop gave me a new life!! I love quilting!!

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