What a Thursday!

There's just so much to report for yesterday; where do I begin?

Once every quarter, there is a store in my area that practically wholesales fabric, so that quilt shop owners, home sewists/designers, and the hobby online fabric seller (like me) can acquire fabric bolts to then sell retail. Their sale began yesterday, and I picked up just a few fabrics this time.

That is a black and gold print on the left, followed by an Anna Maria Horner! Next to it is a green print, then white Kona, then an Alice Kennedy line! The Anna Maria Horner and Alice Kennedy fabrics will go in my Etsy shop, hopefully sometime this weekend (along with some other fabrics). While there, I met a young woman. We began talking, and I found out she designs beautiful little girls' clothing, as you can see in her Etsy shop, Momi Boutique. Her blog is here.

On our way out, a couple of ladies with whom we sew and quilt walked in. Since they were on their way to the Mennonite Relief Sale preview (as were we), we waited around a bit, then we all left together. Once a year, Mennonites hold a Relief Sale in April here in PA (I'm told there are others in other states, as well). Amongst an assortment of things, they auction a huge number of quilts. (I have always been so impressed with how Mennonites work quietly behind the scenes, much like Salvation Army, to do what is necessary in times of crisis. I don't know if I've ever met two organizations of believers so entirely devoted to being His hands and feet for His people). In March, they preview some of those quilts, and they also sell a number of things, including donated quilt related items and even some quilts. Apparently, those who donate quilts will either designate them for the auction, or for regular sale. So, at the preview, we saw some wonderful quilt tops, quilt blogs, fabric, and even old quilts.

I purchased three quilts. This one was only $4!

Granted, the quilt is a bit stained. But it is hand quilted, and huge! It is in the washer even now as I type this; let's see if any of those stains come out. If they don't, so what? We will use it for picnics, around the house--that is, if my younger daughter, who is already attempting to claim it, allows anyone else to use it. :)

I purchased this one, also $4!

We figure this quilt was so inexpensive because of the yellow "pack" in the middle of the quilt. Perhaps this is missing a stork, who is supposed to be holding the pack on its bill? The pack is unattached to the quilt on the sides, so the fact that it is empty is easily remedied; simply insert a small toy or stuffed animal, to complete the gift for a baby to come. (We know a number of pregnant ladies.) It has a few stains on the back; I will wash this one soon, and see if any of the stains come out.

I then hit the mother lode. I found this antique--antique--quilt! It was made in c.1910.

It is not in pristine condition, but it is still in very good condition, I think, considering its age. This is HEAVY. The top is pieced wool, and it is hand tied (it is much too thick and heavy to quilt).

And it was only...$25!!! I almost felt guilty!

I have my friend E to thank for this. When I walked in the doors to preview the quilts, I discovered signs that informed me that they did not accept credit/debit cards. Since I do not like to carry cash around, and I didn't have any checks (where, praytell, is my box of new checks?), I knew my ability to shop was limited. Yet E saw my dilemma and unhesitatingly opened her purse and handed me a $50 bill. I was stunned; I don't know her that well yet, but she didn't even give it a second thought to front me some cash--unasked--until I could repay her today. But she is that kind of friend, already. She takes time to patiently talk to me, my children, really anyone interested in quilting, about the art. She absolutely loves it, and wants to make sure that she passes on all of her knowledge to the next generation of quilters.

After we left the preview, we then went to get some lunch.(If you're ever in Ephrata, PA, you must go to the NY Pizzeria. We didn't even get pizza. But it was GOOD.) E (and A) allowed us to tag along with them on their usual quilt shop run in this particular region. So, we literally shopped 'til we dropped!

We started at Ten Thousand Villages. We then proceeded to Weaver's, where I purchased some great pink fabric. I have been wanting some yardage like this for a quilt or two for the girls.

We then went to Brubacker's before heading home. Know that it was late afternoon when we got back, and we'd left the house before 6 AM. It was a day of a lot of driving, and we were tired. I didn't purchase at every shop where we went (but E and A did). But I now know where their haunts are in that neck of the woods. Thanks, ladies.

I won a fabric bundle!

Guess what? I won a bundle of fabric!

photo source: Hawthorne Threads

I never win anything, but I won this!

It all started when I was looking at some pictures of Houston 2009 Quilt Market, and drooling over some of the new fabric lines. Among many beautiful ones, this one caught my eye:

What a stunning quilt!

So, now that I am coveting the Paula Prass Woodland fabrics, I am visiting all sorts of blogs that make mention of this line. One of the places, Hawthorne Threads, is having a giveaway for a bundle of the fabric. So, not really expecting anything, I entered.

And I won!

Go run over to the nice people at Hawthorne Threads to see it for yourself; there are three great colorways for this line of fabric. Woot!

The importance of supporting your local quilt shop

It is of the utmost importance that you support your local quilt shop (LQS).

Yes, I am aware of the fact that your LQS fabric is usually more expensive than the fabric that you can purchase at your local fabric superstore. Also, your LQS will not be open for as many hours during the day, or as many days during the week. If you are not able to do your shopping or run your errands during the week and during the day, sometimes it is virtually impossible to get to your LQS. The variety of fabrics, notions and tools, books, etc. will be more limited at your LQS. Your local fabric store looks more and more attractive, in light of the reasons mentioned above, and probably even more.

Yet let’s discuss the importance of your LQS. Take a look at fabric, for example. While your local fabric store may have more affordable fabrics, either off-the-bolt or in fat quarter cuts, they will not always be of the same quality and caliber. While fabrics at both may say 100% cotton, we all know that not all cottons are created equal. Consider all cotton sheets, and Egyptian cotton sheets. Enough said, yes? Think of the fabric at your LQS to be the Egyptian cotton sheets, and the fabric at your local fabric store to be the common, 200-thread count variety. As with sheets, the fabrics show their quality by the way they feel and how long they last.

Another reason that you should support your LQS is because of the level of expertise that you will find. The salespersons at your local fabric store may not even sew, let alone quilt, let alone be able to answer your specific questions. The LQS employees, who are sometimes the shopowners, can answer all of your questions and even offer very helpful advice. After all, they are, almost without exception, always quilters themselves. Case in point: I ran into my local fabric superstore one day (out of sheer desparation) and asked if they had any layer cakes or jelly rolls. The salesperson said, “go down the street to the grocery store.” Need I say more?

I believe that the most important reason that you should support your LQS is because of the sense of community, camraderie, and belonging which they create. When I enter my LQS, I am not just a customer. I’m greeted by name, and I’m invited to have coffee, tea or juice. I’m asked how my latest project is going; did I make any progress with either of those two patterns I purchased the last time I was in the shop? Patterns, I might add, which are sold almost exclusively at local quilt shops. Long arm quilting services are frequently offered at your LQS. When I bring in a completed project, I’m properly oohed and aahed. There is always a list of classes, trunk shows, fabric previews, etc. being offered. Past and future quilt show trips (i.e, Houston) are frequently discussed. Color combinations are debated, and fabric designers are regarded as good friends (have you seen the latest Amy Butler fabrics?).

It is of the utmost importance that you patronize the hardworking, underpaid owners of local quilt shops, even if only for some of your fabric. The difference that you might pay in fabric prices is more than worth it, for what you will get in return. Perhaps it helps to think about it this way: What would you do if there was not a LQS within 100 miles of your home? Or, if you live in a rural area, within a four-hour drive? Hopefully, this is a question you will never have to ask yourself. Save up if you must to pay the difference in price, but know that you will be investing it in higher quality, longer lasting fabric. And relationships.

A not-so-local quilt shop

I visited a local quilt shop this past weekend, one that was not-so-local to me. But local to someone, right?

My husband wanted to go to a computer show, and I did not have a problem with that, because that meant being able to go to another LQS! So...ROAD TRIP!!!

I had found the shop online, and in checking out their website, I saw that they published a few of their own quilt patterns. And a couple were absolutely adorable! I bought one pattern, and photographed a quilt of another, shown below:

Is that not the absolute cutest thing you have ever seen? And there was so much cuteness in this shop, they could hang this one in the bathroom. Now, that gives one pause, wouldn't you agree?