Does any one know of a shop hop/driving tour of Quilt shops,shows, amish quilts, etc. I am from AR. Some of our quild would like to do some of the above on a private tour that we could take ourselves and not take a commercial tour. Thanks for any help you can provide.Sandy

I remember one place, Farmer Brown's - but cannot tell you what town it was in. The downstairs of this big red barn store was a great food market, and upstairs, the center was open with quilts displayed along the railings. Fabrics were basic and well-priced. Without spending a penny, you could leave with a wealth of ideas.

My ex could enjoy himself with the free samples of cheeses and cold cuts, and still be nibblling on a bag of "penny candy" when I came down. Around Christmas, they would set up a petting zoo outside with live reindeer!

I am sure plenty of PA folks will jump in with ideas. Sounds like a wonderful trip!

http://www.padutchcountry.com/shopping/quilts.asp If you like antiques and farmer's markets, the Green Dragon and Renningers are (although now "discovered") both great, last time I visited.

If you go to www.amishnews.com you will get a list of all shops in and around Lancaster Pa. where the amish are. I like Weavers in Lititz Pa., then you have Zooks, The Old Country Store, and Dutchland Quilt Patch all with in the Lancaster area about 15 minutes apart from each other. So many places to visit. Kitchen Kettle Village is also close by. Its a fantastic place to visit. Good Luck. Marge who live NE Pa. about 4 hrs from that area.

Moonpi,
Would you believe I used to live in Lancaster with my first husband!?! I was a different person then and I am sure there are a lot of quilting spots down there, especially if you go out Route 30 AKA Lincoln Highway. It takes you straight through the middle of Amish land. A lot of it is gone though- all been taken over by malls and stores. What a pity.

My kids and I used to go to Ephrata to Green Dragon- I believe it was on either Fridays or Tuesdays. There's a site in Manheim where it was almost like the Green Dragon. Lots of memories down there- all put into a box and stored away. :(

I used to go Rte 30 a few times a year, used to just love the old stone barns and flounder houses. My ex's uncle was from York, and had told of of so many great unknown places to stop on the way down to visit them in VA. The farmers markets are the best - dried apples, cold cuts and pies to die for!

I still make the ham/fried apples and dumplings dish they taught me, but can't for the life of me remember the name of it. Shnitz and kepp, or something? That Pennsylvania Dutch food sure sticks to your ribs.

Moonpi,
I recall a long drive or two on the famous Route 30 myself. My husband & son & I stopped at Gettysburg for dinner and they had shoo fly pie for sale. Tony thought he liked it until he ate one from Stauffer's. :wink: :wink: Yuuuummmmmmm.... I don't recall the dumpling dish- I do recall it being on the menus at the Dempsey's Diners. It sticks to your ribs, but the sad part of it is it sticks to everywhere else.......

Has anyone stopped at Jake's Trading Post???? We found it after we came home from a weekend Lighthouse tour in New Jersey, Delaware, & Maryland. Bought more souveniours there than at the other states because of the cost and the "made in china" stickered and stamped all over them. Ugh!

Moonpi I think its called Snitz-en-Knepp.....Sticks to your hips too!!! LOL!

Karen

Hi,

I live in Maryland just south of Hanover, PA. I get up to the Lancaster area several times a year. I would try PA #462 between the cities of York and Lancaster. It is the road that parallels #30 until you get on the other side of the city of Lancaster. There are Amish homes and businesses along that road as well as quilt and other Amish shops. I am sure the Lancaster County tourist bureau web site could give you more detailed information.

Let us know how it goes if you get up this way.

mpspeedy
quilter for 40 yrs. Hand quilter for hire

Thanks to all for the wonderful suggestions. Will let you know if and when and how it goes.

Hi all,
Had the opportunity last year to go to the Lancaster show - on a bus trip and as an added bonus several shops were included in the tour. I loved this shop - Burkholders Fabrics 2155 West Route 897 Denver PA. Located deep amid the cornfields and silos of the rolling Lancaster countryside, Burkholder’s had been serving the varied fabric needs of Lancaster, Lebanon and Berks Counties for over thirty years. Gina and Nancy knew the shop well and saw in its 5000 square feet and variety of fabric the core of the quilt shop they dreamed of developing. They had everything imaginable. Prices were not bad either... I will make this a stop whenever we go to Lancaster. Hope you will be able to visit this fantastic shop.
Sue in PA