Quilt Shops on our Fall Trip

You know you're a Quilter 

when you plan a vacation around quilt shops.

As soon as I have an idea where we are going, I research the shops on our route. We missed some this time but every one we stopped to see was worth our time!

Stitch Supply Co., Eau Claire, WI, is a favorite shop with a great selection of fabric and great employees. I was trying to stick to my list so I didn't spend much time - I didn't want to do any impulse buying! I found blue fabric that I needed for a border, marking pens, and serger needles that were all on my list. Notice the project bag under my treasures - this shop packages your items in project bags - nice!

Sew Complete,  Eau Claire, WI, is a small shop with a nice but limited fabric selection and also machines. At times I have found some great fabric here. This time I found a pair of scissors (I have 3 pair on my list). and another package of serger needles.

Busy Bobbin, Rice Lake, WI,  has a great selection of fabric and notions. I have been shopping there for years. It was hard to leave with just things that I had on my list. I almost did with the exception of the wide backing. I found scissors, fat quarters of children's fabrics, a fusible to fuse batting pieces together, a backing, a ripper, and I was given a free pattern.  

Seams Like Quilting, Spooner, WI,  is a brand new shop. I think the owner said she opened three months ago. She had a good selection of fabric and was very nice. I bought my third pair of scissors and a pretty fat quarter bundle  - you knew I'd cave eventually, right?! I'll definitely return the next time I' m in the area. 

I was being so good at the quilt store. 

Then I got out of the car and went in.

The Little Gift House in Solon Springs, WI, is a gift shop/quilt shop/cafe. There is a very good, but small selection of fabric. I was again trying to stick to my list and could not find the flannels I wanted. I'm so glad I finally got to this shop - I usually am in the area when it is closed.  I did not purchase anything except lunch but I expect to return.

47 Degrees North in Lutzen, MN, is a great little shop with a very personable owner. She has a nice selection and I found some of the flannels (gray, plaid, red) that I had on my list plus a colorful backing and one striped piece for bindings. I'll definitely return to this shop if I'm in the area again. The flannel pieces (for a quilt) and the wide backing were on my list. The piece for binding was an impulsive buy and will be used. The owner also gave me two gnome patterns that she is getting ready to do in a workshop. The patterns are free patterns that she had printed for the workshop.

The Quilt Corner in Beaver Bay, MN, is a little shop that needs at least twice as much space. The owner was nice and the selection was large. It was just hard to see things and to move around because there was so much fabric everywhere. I'll stop again though. I bought 2 charm packs that I had actually picked out before I went to the shop!

One Old Loon Quilt Shop, inTwo Harbors, MN, has the best name! 

It is a great little shop with a nice selection of fabric and notions. The owner wasn't there the day we visited but the lady working was very friendly and helpful. If I'm ever in the area again, I'll stop. I found a slightly darker gray flannel I need for the gray/red flannel quilt, some fat quarters to expand my collection of children's prints, a blue that I thought my stash should have (not on my list). And I could not resist an Old Loon shirt (definitely not on the list)!

Olive Juice Quilts in Onalaska, WI. is a large, favorite shop with a nice, helpful staff. There sale room had more fabric than some shops I've been in! I found the gray/red flannel for the flannel quilt backing in the sale room - great find! The two fat quarters are going to my children's fabric collection. That stack of tone on tone fat quarters was totally impulsive. I did use great restraint - there were MANY packaged pieces I looked at and considered but I only left with one! I picked up some Best Press too but it was packed away when I took the photo. I've been to this shop before and look forward to visiting again.

River Road Quilt Shop is also a flag and gift shop. I've visited many times and usually finds lots. The staff offers help but lets you browse. With great restraint, I only purchased 5 fat quarters. I think this completes what I need for my red and gray flannel quilt. Ray also found a Chicago Cubs flag. We both left lots behind!

Every quilt shop we visited was fun and I'd love to return to all of them. 

It started out as a harmless hobby...

 I had no idea it would come to this.