getting read to travel and shop
 

finally we are both retired, in next couple of weeks we are planning on traveling for couple of weeks, from NEast to Florida and back. I have made a short, for a moment, list of Quilt Stores to visit on our way.

Not sure what fabrics I should plan on buying if any. I do not have much of a stash.
Do not want to buy too much if I do not have a project in mind.

I am thinking some nice background and maybe some white. This subject has been written on at some point but not sure if I can find where.

Just thinking aloud!

Whenever I am traveling we also search out local quilt shops. I love to use white on whites so I always look at those. I have found some that I had never seen before. I have a great selection of them now! I always buy at least 1 FQ from each shop we visit. I have a good selection of them too! I believe that I read here on the board that when a member and her husband are traveling that the first shop they stop at they buy a quilt pattern. Then at the next shop they will buy focal fabric. The next shop they buy background fabric and so on; you get the picture. I think that is a marvelous idea!

If you have an Iphone you can get a Quilters Club of America app that will give you a list of the quilt shops in the area you are in. I would suggest you call the shop before you drive to it to make sure they are still in business and the hours that are listed are still in effect.

When I shop while traveling I just wander in and look. Sometimes a fabric or tool catches my eye. If so, I buy it. I tend to like fat quarter bundles because I do a lot of applique. Of course, there are also those jelly rolls and charm packs.

thank you, I like your idea of quilt shopping

Sounds like you may be traveling interstate 95 or 81?
In Virginia: If 81, there are 2 shops around Staunton Va. which are favorites- Patchwork Plus and Rachel's; there's one in Wytheville- Batiks, Etc. If it's interstate 95, Quilting Adventures in Richmond is a favorite. All 3 are on the internet so you can get an idea of the shop before hand.

When visiting quilt shops, I let the fabric tell me which one or ones to buy ..... there's always one or two that call my name. For me it's often children's prints or batiks or something I haven't seen anywhere else and I limit myself to one or two per shop ... unless
Maybe that's one reason I have a large stash, but definitely not the only one.

Anyway, congratulations on your retirement and happy vacationing!