Another Road Trek

Today, I made a trek out to Elemsdale, NS, to visit It's Sew Time. It was a 25 minute trip from Lower Sackville out the highway toward Truro. I met two lovely ladies who are members of the Martine Modern Quilt Guild.

I had a great chat with Suzanne, the owner. she gave me permission to take photos around her quilt shop. There were also some quilted pieces on the wall but I will post photos of those another day.

Have a look at the fabrics! One stop shopping. Everything is there to start a project - big or small.

 

Avonport Discount Centre Fabrics

I discovered a great quilt shop at Avonport, NS called Avonport Discount Centre Fabrics. Several of my quilting friends mentioned this quilt shop to me several years ago but I had forgotten about it. It is quite close to where we are staying so that is a plus. As I pulled up to the building, I noticed a large tool shop next door. Very convenient for those husbands who sometimes tag along.

The staff was very friendly and helpful. I explained who I was and a bit about my art work, web site and blog. As a result, I was given permission to take as many photos as I wanted.

Shopping carts are near the door for your convenience. I didn't bother to take one as I figured I wasn't going to get that much. Boy, was I wrong!

This shop has everything a quilter needs! The fabrics, books and patterns are fabulous with reasonable prices. It was hard to make a decision!

Quilters visiting Nova Scotia, this is a shop to visit!

Have a look!

Pine Needles Sewing Centre, Cedar Rapids

During my recent trip to Cedar Rapids, Iowa, I discovered a marvellous quilt shop, Pine Needles Sewing Centre. This shop carries the line of Bernia Sewing Machines, fantastic bolts of fabrics, lots of notions, patterns, quilt batting, interfacing, the complete line of Aurifil and YLI threads, kits, books, magazines - everything you need for sewing and quilting. It is a sewer's / quilter's paradise!

The store, itself, is very modern (I forgot to take a photo of the outside) with two floors. Instead of one large cutting table there are several cutting stations throughout the building. The lighting is fantastic. Every nook and corner is well lit and the products presented so that you want to stop, see and touch everything. I'm sure I missed a great deal. While at the checkout, I saw several items other ladies had that I hadn't seen.

Fabric collections were presented with books and / or patterns highlighting the fabric. In many cases, quilts, table runners or sewing projects, made from some of the fabrics, were on display. The
Christmas in July display table greeted everyone who entered the shop. I noticed lots of beautiful Batiks, geometrics, dots, stripes, from the show Downtown  Abbey, The Cat in the Hat, Christmas, Halloween, Autumn, Children and Baby and much more. You will just have to check them out!

The staff is very friendly and helpful.

It's easy to see that the shop is owned by a person passionate about sewing and quilting. All the quilts on display are owned by the shop and there are a lot of them. All proceeds from the sale of these quilts are given to charity.

Needless to say, I was impressed!
First batch of photos:

 

C & M Crafts, Carmanville, NL

Last year I posted about The Fabric Shop in Gander, NL. Well, this time, I visited the sister shop, C & M Crafts in Carmanville.

Wouldn't you know it - they are closed on Fridays! However, I did get into the shop to have a look around. Marion Gillingham, the owner, was in Gander at the other store, so her husband let me look around and take photos to share with you. As you can see, there is a wide range of fabrics, notions and patterns to choose from. The two shops have a different range of fabrics with very little duplication. I did purchase a few batiks at The Fabric Shop back in Gander.

Quilters in central Newfoundland are very lucky to have these two quilt shops!

Everything for knitting and hand embroidery

Hand Embroidery Patterns

Ribbons, zippers and fabric

Notion wall! Everything at your finger tips.

Lots of nice patterns!

Hand Embroidered Red Work with NL Tartan



I like the yellow tape measure fabric and would have purchased it but . . .

Quiltology

On my recent trip to Chicago, I visited Quiltology.  I received a gift certificate for Christmas from that quilt shop, so I just had to go there! They have moved since my last visit but it was still easy to find and not far from my daughter's home.

I bought all batiks as I use them more than any other kinds of cottons. It is a nice shop with lots of quilts on display as well as patterns and fabrics. Here's my selection:

by the yard!

fat quarters!

The Fabric Shop, Gander, NL

I have been having some difficulty getting back to doing 'stuff'' in my studio - especially posting to my blog! But, as promised, here's a few more photos from my trip.

One of the things on my list this trip was Dr. Seuss fabric. Last year I found it in Chicago but after getting home could have kicked myself for not buying it. I could have purchased it on-line but didn't. Anyway, to make a long story short, the only place I found it was at C & M Crafts N Stuff / The Fabric Shop, Gander, Newfoundland. Needless to say, some of it is now in my stash. In fact, I've already started a project with it.

If you are a quilter, this quilt shop is a must visit. I was impressed with the variety of fabrics, notions, threads, kits, yarns and embroidery supplies. There is also a dedicated classroom for teaching quilting classes.

I was told that their other location in Carmanville, has different fabrics (no duplications). On my next visit to central NL, I have to visit that shop as well.
Enjoy!

Len's Mill Store

While visiting London, Ontario, I paid a visit to Len's Mill Store. They wouldn't permit any photos to be taken. I entered the shop and didn't know which way to turn as there was everything under the sun, from clothing, food, dry goods, tools, crafty stuff, yarns and fabrics to furniture.

After looking from left to right and all around, I discovered the yarns and accessories / patterns to the right. Yes, I did purchase a few decorative balls of yarn for surface embellishment. Next to the yarns, were the decorator fabrics. A quick walk through this area brought me to the quilting section. All the cottons were arranged by theme such as cats, dogs, coffee, tea, wildlife, butterflies, Asian, batiks, . . . you get the idea. Again, I made a few small purchases of batiks and glittery fabrics.

There was everything you could ever need for sewing and quilting, including tools and other notions (some of the things were very dated, while others were new) - a one stop shopping experience! It was very warm in the building as there was no air conditioning so I didn't linger too long. The outside temperature was 32C and climbing and it seemed just as warm inside!