CindyA

Hi friends, know of any must-see quilt shops in these areas? I'll be taking my first trip there (very excited!) and will stop if they are close, but won't go far out of the way. Thanks in advance for any tips.

Watson

I know there is one in St. Catherines which is near Niagara Falls, but I've never been to it.

Too bad you weren't coming just a little bit more West...We could have had a meet-up! Have a great time. That's a beautiful area. Try to get to Niagara on the Lake for a visit. Really pretty town.

Watson

QuiltE

How wonderful that you will be coming to our province! Welcome!!!

I can definitely help you with some info and will post it later on (tonight?)

However, first, could you please tell me ....
Are you just wanting LQS' that may be in those specific towns/cities ONLY?
OR between the two locales?

It's about a 3 hour drive (traffic dependent) from Niagara to Oro-Medonte/Barrie ...
... and so, a lot of LQS' that could be do-able, en route!

lovingLakeMich

Check out the Row by Row site for Ontario. There are three stores listed in Barrie. You might see some other towns on the way too. Hope you have lots of fun!

CindyA

Thanks, Watson. Next time I'll plan further west and we'll do our meet-up. I will definitely try to get to Niagara on the Lake.

CindyA

I will be driving between those areas, so I'm interested in anything between them or slightly off the beaten path (but not too far because I'll be with non-quilters). So thankful for your info-starting with we seriously underestimated how long the drive is between those areas. Glad to know that ahead of time. Thanks for the welcome, we really are excited and looking forward to it.

QuiltE

Hello CindyA, Thanks for the added info, but oh dear, travelling with non-quilters may not be helpful to you and your Quilty-Quest!!!!!

As suggested, check out the RxR links ... This initial page gives you hotlinks to websites.
http://www.rowbyrowexperience.com/on.htm
There's also a link that gives you a good printable list to take with you for your trip.

This link lets you see the RxR rows for the shops. Perhaps an enticement?
https://siterepository.s3.amazonaws....2017_row_4.pdf

The July Shop Hop would be another to check out ...
http://www.julyshophop.com/
Some of these same shops are in the RxR Hop.
However, the July Shop Hop stores have a bonus and give you a free block kit for dropping by. No purchase necessary! Better still, your friends could also get a block kit each ... and being that they are not quilters, they might have to give it to you! Maybe you could make each of you a table runner with them? Now that might get them interested in hanging around LQS'!

Then there are the Northcott Sesquicentennial Blocks ...
http://www.northcott.com/resource_de...esourceCatId=2
Participating stores are offering free themed Sesqui block patterns.

Many of the stores are involved with all three of these programs!

As mentioned by LovingLakeMichigan, yes there are three shops in Barrie ...
Simcoe Sew & Quilt ... nice store, lots of batiks and a good assortment otherwise. Not far off Hwy 400 (which I expect you will be travelling on!)
HummingBird ... I have not been to, so I can't tell you anything about it, good or bad.
Len's Mill ... is an outlet store chain with huge fabric departments, but lots of other things to look at. While not an LQS style store, it will have current lines as well as well-aged ones too! Prices totally variable from regular LQS prices to well-discounted. Your friends may enjoy it more than the LQS' as they may find something else of interest to them. If this may be of interest to you, there is one in Hamilton, just off the QEW that you will pretty much drive right by, between Niagara and Burlington.

The St. Catharines shop that Watson mentioned is just off the QEW ...
Kindred Spirits ... I quite like that store and make a point of going to it when I am in that area.

The Burlington shops are quite do-able off the QEW ... then back on the 401 or 407 ...
Village Square ... is with an eclectic sort of shops in a courtyard sort of a mall. Not sure how to explain it! It definitely would offer more for your friends to enjoy. Plus lots of places to get lunch, snacks, nibbles, etc. It's right near the water, so a good place to walk and wander and just plain enjoy .... if you have good weather!
Sew Etc ... is in a typical strip mall setting.

Not far from your Oro-Medonte destination would be ...
Thimbles & Things ... the RxR info shows it at Severn (which is correct), though the locals would say it is outside of Orillia. I have not been there and plan to this summer. However, I have heard so many amazing things about it from friends who frequent to shop and attend their classes.

Not far off the 400 before Barrie is Cookstown and ...
Country Concessions ... this small town has become somewhat of a touristy destination which would give your friends lots of options, while you enjoyed your quilty destination!

I have made assumptions that you are travelling our main highways/freeways, namely QEW, 401, 407 and 400. 407 is the only toll road. They are very busy, and you may sooner get away from them onto some of the smaller highways that would still let you travel at a good pace but not be quite so hectic and crazy, and somewhat more relaxing. If you are, then that opens up a whole bunch more of quilty options to you!!

Then, how will you be going home? Are you going back the same way? Or heading from Oro-Medonte south and east to re-enter the USA at the Kingston or Ivy Lea crossings? If so, I know some great quilt shops in that direction too!

Some other things to consider ...
* I am not sure when you are travelling, but this is our Canada Day weekend. Many shops have adjusted their hours/days (some are even closing), so keep that in mind. Likewise some will make changes for August and September long weekends.
* Because of the USA/Cda $ exchange, you will notice a price difference on most anything, quilty and otherwise.
* Gasoline is in litres, not gallons. Distances/Speed are in kilometres, not miles
* Fabrics are mostly priced/cut in metres. Some stores have it both ways.
* Fat Quarters maybe cut either as an American FQ or a Canadian FQ.

Watson ... any more suggestions for CindyA? Or what have I missed?

If you have any other questions or want further suggestions or help in planning your trip, I'll be only too glad to help! You can't help but enjoy Niagara Falls ... and the Oro-Medonte is quite a nice area to visit too.

Happy Planning!!! ... and I hope you really do enjoy our province and all it has to offer.

Watson

Don't plan to eat in Niagara Falls. It's way too expensive there and parking can be a mess. Get there early if you plan to stop and sight see. Plan to spend $20 or more for parking if you aren't lucky enough to find something along the road.

If you go the back way to Niagara on the Lake (along the river instead of taking the highway) there are some beautiful views and some nice restaurants there. If the Pharmacy Museum is open, have a quick look inside. It's worthwhile. Some nice shops to wander through.

Watson

QuiltE

Good Points Watson!! ... sadly the beauty of the Falls sometimes gets sidelined to the touristy side of it!
Have you ever gone to see it in the winter ... I love it then!

If you plan to spend some time around the Falls area and visit their different attractions, do some research. There are usually some really good package deals where you prepay for admissions to several attractions, and it becomes a good saving. They are well worth it ... but so many people!

Be careful to only park in "official" areas ... it is closely monitored and tickets abound!


NOTL is such a change from the hustle and bustle of the Falls. Quite enjoyable for sure.


Cindy A ... you do know that Watson and I could keep you busy here in our province for many days, to say the least .... how about months?

So how long are you actually going to be here??

GEMRM

Don't forget the Painted Cardinal in Beamsville, ( Niagara region) and the Hobby Horse ( near Georgetown) which you'll pass sort of by on the way north.