MCH

I will be somewhat "footloose and fancy-free" for a couple of days in Seattle while my DH attends a conference. I would welcome names, notes, comments about any quilt shops in the area.

I might also take a couple of WIPs with me and enjoy some uninterrupted time to do some handwork on those (binding? applique?). Sitting in the corner of a hotel lobby, doing handwork is a sure-fire conversation-starter and adjunct to people watching. It's quite different from seeing folks connected to computers and smart phones.

In advance, thanks for the input. Much appreciated.

DebraK

I found four using google.

dunster

If you happen to be there between February 28 and March 3, you should try to attend the Sewing and Stitchery Expo in Puyallup (near Seattle). Lots of cheap "taster" classes (45 minutes for $5 if paid in advance, $6 at the door), some longer classes, and tons and tons of vendors.

willferg

If you feel adventurous, you could walk on and take the ferry over to Bainbridge Island and walk to the McKenna Ryan showroom:

http://pineneedles.com/content/showroom.asp

There is beautiful batik fabric for sale, and it's amazing to see her patterns as real quilts. Winslow is a cute little town, too!

pandamommy

What part of Seattle will you be in?

Jan in FL

I love to visit Underground Quilts when I am in downtown Seattle. The people there ar so nice and they have a nice selection of fabrics that represent the northwest. Plus, it is in Pike Market just above the brewery. You can spend a whole day at the market! Have fun!

barking-rabbit

I goto undercover quilts in the market place. Also there is a quilt shop on Bainbridge island walking distance from the ferry(if you are a walker).

DebbE

Since you'll be there, I'd also hop the ferry to Victoria -- its lovely to walk through, and I bet there's a quilt shop or two there, as well. While there, be sure to do high tea at the Empress -- wonderful experience! Don't forget to take pictures of the totum poles in Seattle, too.....someday I want to do a quilt of those.....

slicksister

Here is a link to Cluck Cluck Sew's blog. She lives in Seattle and she has a review of 4 stores there. http://www.cluckclucksew.com/2013/01...-shop-day.html

Peckish

I haven't read Cluck Cluck Sew's blog yet, so I'm not sure where those stores are located. I know there's Bayside Quilting, located in Olympia which is about an hour south of Seattle. If you don't have access to a car it might be problematic to get to some of these stores.

I've been at Fabric Depot in Portland when tour buses full of quilters arrive. Employees there tell me that since there is such a dearth of quilt shops in the Seattle area, oftentimes guilds will arrange for a road trip to hit all of the Portland quilt shops and fabric stores. It's rather surprising, considering Seattle's size.

Pike Place Market is a blast, and I've been to the SewExpo in Puyallup several times. It's fun - there are classes and mini lectures on everything from tatting to embroidery to altering clothing to paper piecing to wool felting, and there are plenty of vendors. Some of the classes let you play on the new machines to make projects. It does NOT focus on quilting, so don't go expecting that, and it's also not a "show" where you go to look and ooh and ahh over things. The vendors do have things on display, but that's about it for eye candy.