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Local Shop Hop

Old 09-30-2011, 10:23 AM
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I have never done a bricks & mortar shop hop and my local hop starts tomorrow. I am going to try to hit all the stores during the 2 weeks, but am wondering if any veterans have some suggestions for this novice. Other than bring lots of cash...lol.
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Old 09-30-2011, 10:27 AM
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I don't know how it is to travel among all the shops, I do know how it is to work at one during the shop hop...FUN! Our last one was over 3 days, and we "workers" seemed to have as much fun as the "hoppers"! The main thing I heard the "hoppers" comment on was they really had the best time when they signed up and took the tour bus that took them to all of the shops. My advice is yep, take your $$$, enjoy all the games and such, eat lots of the snacks, and have a blast!!
Kif
PS Let us know how it all goes for you...
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Old 09-30-2011, 10:37 AM
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I made a page for each shop I was going to -- it listed the name of the shop, address, phone, what kind of fabric the carry, did I like the shop/people and what I bought. I included a mapquest map of the area and directions if there were any.

When shopping, I try to buy fabric that the LQS does not carry. In some shops, I could only find a fat quarter that I would buy, but usually I found more (my stash exploded from the shop hops). My friend and I always tried to buy at least a fat quarter as a thankyou to the shop for participating. I only remember one shop where we did not buy anything and it was because of the staff not the fabric (most of us took cameras with us to take pictures of the blocks the various shops had and this shop would not even allow us in the shop with cameras -- and they charged a fortune for their completer kits (I was not about to pay $5 for a 5"sq, and a 2 2"x5" strips). We left with our blocks and nothing else (and we were not alone).
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Old 09-30-2011, 11:05 AM
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I like the idea of keeping notes so I can remember where I've been (LOL) and the kind of stock each store has. I have already put some 3" squares of some fabrics that need fillers for a pattern into a small 4 X 6 photo album.

Snacks? Oh no, I'm a junk food junkie and this could be a problem...NOT.
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Old 09-30-2011, 01:14 PM
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I just finished our local Shop hop. Had a great time We had 11 shops and 10 days to hit them. We do not have a bus system or charter for this. I did it in 2 1/2 days, 698 miles. This year I drove it all by myself. My hopping partner came down with the flu. Take lots of cold water, a list and samples of fabric you want to match up, a note pad to record what you can find where, Get a business card from each shop. Take a snack, cell phone, A Garmin, unless you know the area very well, a lot of farm fields are between these towns, not a lot a people. I also throw in an overnite bag just incase I get to tired, sun screen, Comfy schoes to walk and drive in, sunglasses, hat, and jacket. Don't forget first aid kit and kleenex! This year I got a papercut so bad it was bleeding had an awful time getting it stoped! LOL lill drops of blood all over the place used the last of my kleenex stopping it. All I needed was one band-aid! LOL Have fun on your hop! You will meet all kinds of people and have a great time! They are all so friendly and helpful, after all they are all quilters! LOL
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Old 09-30-2011, 02:49 PM
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Gramie bj - I can't believe you drove all those miles alone and hit 11 quilt shops. You are my hero.
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Old 09-30-2011, 02:49 PM
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Gramie bj - I can't believe you drove all those miles alone and hit 11 quilt shops. You are my hero.
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Old 09-30-2011, 02:50 PM
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When I go to a new shop, thanks to a Shop Hop, I tell them such when I arrive, and ask them what their special/unique features are. It's their chance to give me their tour and intro, and believe me, it's usually a very "royal" tour! Plus, if there are special giveaways or sales for Shop Hoppers, that doesn't get missed.

I go with a "mission"! That might be to purchase fabric for a specific project, or to learn about specific techniques, etc.

The month-long one this summer, my mission was the 4-B's ... Borders, Bindings, Battings and Backings. By telling them what my mission was, I was shown/told lots more than I'm sure I would have discovered on my own in many of the shops. It really is worthwhile to talk it up!

Note that the mission was not directly to purchase items. And guess what, none of the stores seemed to pressure me about that. Of course, some fabric and notions did follow me home, though what did, was with a more discerning eye, than when I used to just go without a plan of any sorts!
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Old 09-30-2011, 02:57 PM
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Bring a nice big shopping bag to put all your little bag purchases in. If it has a sholder strap, even better. This leaves your hands free to caress more fabric. It also prevents leaving a little bag behind. I found someone's little bag laying on a fabric display my last shop hop. I gave it to the girl at the counter but I wonder if the person ever got it back. Can you imagine trying to trace your route back to find a lost bag?
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Old 09-30-2011, 03:18 PM
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Originally Posted by QuiltE
When I go to a new shop, thanks to a Shop Hop, I tell them such when I arrive, and ask them what their special/unique features are. It's their chance to give me their tour and intro, and believe me, it's usually a very "royal" tour! Plus, if there are special giveaways or sales for Shop Hoppers, that doesn't get missed.

I go with a "mission"! That might be to purchase fabric for a specific project, or to learn about specific techniques, etc.

The month-long one this summer, my mission was the 4-B's ... Borders, Bindings, Battings and Backings. By telling them what my mission was, I was shown/told lots more than I'm sure I would have discovered on my own in many of the shops. It really is worthwhile to talk it up!

Note that the mission was not directly to purchase items. And guess what, none of the stores seemed to pressure me about that. Of course, some fabric and notions did follow me home, though what did, was with a more discerning eye, than when I used to just go without a plan of any sorts!
Thanks for some great ideas. I think I will adopt your mission.
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