We live in Ohio, near Holmes County, which is largely populated by the Amish. Last Saturday we drove there to get DH an Amish hat and suspenders so he could dress as an Amishman today at school for Halloween. (My hubby has a beard, but no mustache, so he already looks the part.) He used to drive the Amish, so he knows where all their little out-of-the-way shops are located, and while we were there he took me to some of their fabric shops.

The first store we went to had a small, but nice, selection of quilting cotton for only $3.25 a yard. This was the regular price, not a sale price. I want to make quilts for my two granddaughters for Christmas and hadn't gotten the fabric yet, so I was thrilled to be able to find what I wanted at that great price. We went to a few more stores; one had a wider selection, but it was kind of a bulk type store and I didn't like it as well. The third we went to was really nice; it had a large selection including several name brands such as Thimbleberries and Andover. Alas, I'd run out of money so couldn't get anything there. But I plan to go back. :wink: Also, Paul told me he knows of several more stores we didn't have time to get to.

I hadn't decided what pattern to use, so Tuesday I laid all the material out and worked out how I wanted to make the quilts. Paul came home while I was doing this and expressed interest in the entire process. I explained what needed to be done and he said he'd like to help me machine quilt. He's always fixed my sewing machines and has a growing interest in old machines. He bought a Singer 99K at a sale and I bought a Singer 15-91 off Ebay and he's got both in his workshop playing with them. I showed him the thread in Pictures of Lostn51's studio and the before and after pics of his older machines and Paul was really interested. We're moving soon and I explained how I want to set up my (our?) sewing room and he started planning how to make a cutting table, etc. Then a few days later he was online looking for some kind of motor and ran across a longarm setup for sale. He'd never seen one before and got all excited and called me to look. I didn't get quite so excited because I know we can't afford anything like that, but as Paul studied it, he said he could make a frame. I know he could; he's the type of guy who can do and make just about anything, especially out of metal. Among other things, he's built several trailers (to haul cars), all the playground equipment for our kids including a jungle gym, swing set, and merry-go-round, and he designed and built a 10-foot, four-seat, working electric ferris wheel for our older granddaughter's first birthday. Our granddaughters and the neighbor kids love it!

Anyway, Paul has continued to express interest in quilting with me. I think it's great. I'm the type of person who's a perfectionist. I have difficulty finishing projects if they're not perfect. Paul, on the other hand, gets things done, using whatever's at hand, and finishing his projects even if what he's working on isn't absolutely perfect. I think if he helps me we'll be more apt to finish than if I work alone, especially since I'm having a lot of neck pain recently and might not be able to machine quilt for very long. I'll just have to watch him. When I was explaining the entire quilting process to him and got to where you sandwich the quilt top, batting, and backing and pin it together to prepare for quilting, he asked why you couldn't use a spray adhesive. I know very well he doesn't have a clue that there are actually quilting adhesives and that he was thinking about using something from the garage. :roll: I'm sure I'll have to keep an eye on him. I can just hear him say not to buy that expensive spray, what he has in the garage will work just as well!

I'm just about ready to start cutting the fabric for the girls' quilts, so we'll see what happens.

Oh, by the way, I told Paul there are several male quilters on this site, but I haven't had a chance to show him pics of their quilts yet. I plan to do that. Oh yeah, I should probably also show him Eddie's new machine, shouldn't I? After all, Christmas is coming and a nice machine like that could be for both of us. :mrgreen:

Sandy

I think that is awesome he wants to quilt with you. Something wonderful for you to share. Definitely keep an eye on him though. NO GARAGE STUFF! LOL He sounds like my husband.

I would, for sure, show him Eddies stuff (and his new machine, hint, hint) Show him men can be just as creative in this field as women.

Have fun, keep us posted and don't forget to show us pictures. We love pictures. :D :D :D

Wow are you lucky...a handyman, a future quilter, a repairman and someone who knows all the good spots in Holmes. I live in Zanesville and my daughter and I plus friends come up several times during the year. My quilt guild also has a yearly weekend in the area. Just wondering where are the inexpensive, or cheap, stores? Other then Zinks.

Congratulations! What a wonderful gift, to have him so interested. And doubly, to have him do the parts you aren't particularly interested in! WTG!

I think it is wonderful to see so many men interested in quilting. My dad made many over his retirement years, and my DH wants to help with one I am making for his son and new bride. However, I am not prepared to let him anywhere near my one and only machine!!!! (He is like Paul...need a fix for something? check the garage for parts!!!) The top is done, and we will sandwich it together. After I do some machine quilting around the larger blocks, we will hand quilt hearts in the centres of the blocks. I have two large hoops so we can each hoop onto a different part of the quilt and work side by side.

We both have treadle machines...I am trying to convince him that we could set them up side by side and piece together. :D

Zinks is the one I didn't like. The quilting section was okay, but the section with all the bins was really dirty, I thought. The first store we went to was Spectors. It's a small shop located in downtown Berlin, but it's tucked away off Rt. 39 in a large building that also holds a hardware store. I think if you're going east, you turn right at the grocery store and then turn right again. The flea market was back in that area. It didn't have a large selection, but I liked what they had. Even though Berlin itself was packed with tourists, the only people shopping in Spectors were Amish or Mennonite.

I don't remember the name of the third shop we went to, but it was in Mt. Hope. It might have been Mt. Hope Fabric Store or something similar. We didn't spend a lot of time there since we'd spent most of our money and we were getting tired and hungry, but some of the quilting fabric was $3+ and the Thimbleberries and Andover fabric I saw was only $4.29. I think they had a much larger selection than Spectors. I would have really liked to have spent more time there, but Mrs. Yoder's Restaurant was calling to us. :)

Paul said the other shops are out in the country on back roads. I hope we can get to them next trip. I'll check them out and if they're also inexpensive and have nice fabric I'll get directions and give them to you.

We live in Loudonville, so we're right next door. In fact, part of Loudonville is in Holmes County. We have quite a large community of Amish just north of town. Paul really enjoyed driving them for a few years after he lost his job, but he's pretty much gotten away from it now. They really liked Paul, too. He was always willing to watch babies so their mothers could shop and he always helped the women carry stuff, which Amish men rarely do. Plus he has a truck and trailer so he could haul heavy loads. One family wanted him to drive them on vacation last spring. They rented an RV and wanted Paul to drive them out west through all the western states on a two-week trip. They said I could come too and we could have the largest bedroom. I'm not sure where their 14 kids were going to sleep. (I'm not kidding!) Paul couldn't get off work though, so they had to hire someone else. They've expressed regret several times that Paul couldn't go.

Paul is a pretty good hubby. We've been married 39 years.

Who knows, he could be the next Eddie!

I definitely think you should piece together! :D

I think it's great, too, that so many men are interested in quilting. The quilt for your son and his bride will be even more special to them because your DH helped with it.

I think Paul is also interested in collecting old machines. He saw an old treadle machine in an Amish shop that had the fancy colored scrollwork and called me on his cell to tell me about it. He was so excited and really wanted to buy it, but we just didn't have the $ right then. When he saw the pic of Lostn51's treadle and the cabinet he built for it, he immediately decided to make something similar.

Who knows, maybe before long Paul will be posting on this site, too. I can just hear him, "Well, I finished another quilt last night, but I can't get Sandy to help me anymore. Guess I'll have to do them all." :lol:

That would be a lot to live up to! I'm so impressed with not only how beautiful Eddie's quilts are, but how prolific he is. But who knows? Maybe!

You are so right! I cannot believe how quickly Eddie whips out a quilt, and they are all blue ribbon quality!

Pat is very interested in my hobby (wish I could reciprocate, but looking at stars is as exciting to me as watching grass grow). He loves to go to the fabric store and LQS with me and he is my color consultant. He has gotten me out of the color rut more than once. I think it can be fabulous when a couple can share a hobby.

I remember reading about another couple on the QB where she makes the tops and he quilts them. Can't recall who they are though. As long as it works - count your blessings.

Let him help. My husband likes going fabric shopping with me and has encouraged me to buy and try things many times. Right now he is making seat covers for his '54 pick up truck. He doesnt mind sewing at all.

It's wonderful that you can share a hobby.

I wish my hubby would take more of an interest in my quilting... his eyes take on a sort of, glazed look that means he's not really looking and hasn't got a clue when I ask his oppinion.

Then I get the, "Don't I always tell you that you do good work on your quilts?"

I'm wanting to visit a quilt shop in Derbyshire tomorrow, so I'll probably need all your prayers! :wink:

my dh drives me to quilt guild - and guess who had a show and tell a couple meeting ago! HE did.... he did the sewing AND the quilting on the Bailey!

I did the cutting out and pinning for him - after all, he had NO clue about any of it - but he did all the sewing....

I think it would be great to share you love of quilting with him.

Next time you're there try Miller's Dry Goods in Charm. Quilting and other fabric. Be sure to go downstairs to the bargain section. I have not been to Spector's, but might be worth a trip!! My best friend and I go for a few days at least once a year. If any of you need a good really clean simple place to stay, try Berlin Village Inn. Very reasonable rates too!!

I think its great to share a hobby. My hubby knits, cross-stitches and does leadlighting. We have combined on several projects with him adding cross-stitched blocks to wedding memories quilts.

I think it's great so many hubbies are involved in the quilting process in one way or another. I'm a little surprised that so many actually sew, although I don't know why. After all, tailors used to all be men and today many men are prize winning quilters, not to mention the men on this forum. Patternreview.com also has a lot of men who sew and post about their completed projects.

Paul was so happy to take me to Spectors and the other stores. Sometimes he frowns when I buy fabric, but this time he barely blinked. He did make a comment about stockpiling fabric, so I took the opportunity to explain what "stash" means and how important it is. :lol:

I wish Paul could help me with colors. I'm not good at that. It takes me forever to make a decision on which colors to put together, then after I finally decide, I second guess myself forever. I really need to get over that.

Miller's Dry Goods is one of the places Paul mentioned that he wants to take me to. We just didn't have enough time last week. Does Miller's carry Berninas? I know one of the stores has them, but I forget which one. I'd like to talk to them and find out if they ever have used Berninas to sell and. if so, how much they go for.

I'm excited about going back and checking out the other shops. :)

Sandy

Sandy...I know what you mean about the colour choosing. If I go on my own it can take me what seems like forever to find the "right" colours. If I take my hubby with, he can have us in and out in no time!!! As long as I tell him basically what I am wanting to do, he has a very quick eye for finding fabrics that blend together beautifully.

Patti

Hi Sandy,

I think it's GREAT that your husband wants to share the hobby with you! My wife and I share the sewing one and I really enjoy the times that we're both in the room working on projects. We can bump into each other sometimes ("Hey, you moved my stuff!" :) ) , but we do fine. It's also fun to be able to go places together with a shared interest in mind, like a few months ago we went on an overnight trip to Mountain View, AR to visit the local quilting stores there and enjoy the town. It was a lot of fun.

And I don't think I have used anything from the garage on my quilts, YET! :shock: But I guess there's always a first time. :D

Sandy,

I'm not looking for a machine and go for fabric as though I have blinders on, so I can't say as though I remember seeing any machines at Miller's :lol: :lol: But they are so friendly, just ask and they'll tell you who does! Their prices aren't cheap, but they do have alot of sale stuff downstairs. Lucky you to have a hubby that shares your interest!!

there are many gifted quilters here and yes there are many men Eddie, Khan is another , Henry, Zeke, and the star man board name isewman...his are perfect..A lot of ladies have husbands who pull up a chair and hand quilt....Steve was a engineer he did great Hawaian quilts :D look way back at pictures there have been a lot look them up and bookmark our greats so you can show him

Wow, you are lucky to have a huuby soooooo interesred in the process. Mine has helped on occasion when I've been auditioning borders. He loves blue(guess what most of his choices have been)
Get him to sit at the machine-Nope.
I once had a surgeon in a class married to a psychologist. HE took my class to make tops quicker so they could sit at a frame in the evenings and quilt and relax. Wonder what he's doing now?
Quilt on ladies. I'll get back to you all next week as I leave for a week at Quilt Camp in the wild sof New Hampshire. This is where my DH is the best. Go! you should enjoy yourself, you work hard, dear.
Married 42 years, and love him more each day.

My brother (who can do anything, fiqure out anything,and knows a little about most everything) decided to make a quilt, just so he could see what it is all about. It was a complicated pattern and king size and it was beautiful. My sister-in-law, who is a fabulous quilter, put it in their quilt show and it received so many compliments. He hasn't made another yet, but he is handy to have around when she needs to figure something out or to fix the Featherweights, if they need an adjustment. She just bought a long arm machine and he took the classes, too. He is quite the guy.

awwwwwww how neat. i wish my hubby would sew with me :?

Oh boy looks like I have done it now!!!! :lol: I am glad that he can get some ideas from my shop and if he needs help in figuring out the logistics or anything just let me know.

I went out and picked up a few more machines the newest being a 1890 New Home head and cabinet. Of course I will have to go through the whole machine, because its decals are all worn off there is no collector value anymore. But I will be able to repaint and re decal it myself and use it for my shop.

From what I am hearing he is starting to get the bug so get ready for a wave of machines to start following him home. And the next thing is he will want to use them so quilting is next. :mrgreen:

Billy

That's a sweet guy you have! If you want him interested then you have hit the jackpot.

Every man should learn to quilt. I have quilted for over 5 yrs now and enjoy every minute of it. I have attached 3 pics of my latest creation. I do the piecing and assembly, then take it to my quilterman and he sandwiches it and does a beautiful job with his set and walk away computerized quilting machine. Quilting is a wonderful way to revieve stress, and a fantastic way to communicate(talk) with your spouse.

Miller's Dry goods in Charm has a wonderful bargain basement with quality fabrics!

That is great, every once in a while DH sits down next to me and asks me all sorts of questions. He has learned how to thread the machine and embroider, which he finds fustrating he wants 6 to 8 colors threaded at once and let the machine go. :shock: That machine is $10,000 but I heard him the other day saying were going to get one. :shock: But anyhow I have a feeling soon enough he'll be pulling out my first machine and joining me in no time. You just have to love it. I think the more we do together the closer a couple is.

Hi Eddie,

I hope the house we're moving to has a large enough second floor (it's basically all one room) for both of us to set up sewing areas. Paul really seems to be enthused.

We're overdue for a vacation; I'd love if we could go to Paducah, KY, not during the convention, but just to visit the quilt museum and quilting stores and enjoy the town. I think the annual convention would be a bit too much for Paul. We're in Ohio, so it's not too far away. I just checked and it's about 500 miles, so about a day's drive to get there with stops. Sounds doable and it would be a nice trip. Of course, we'd have to take lots of extra $$$ to buy fabric at Hancocks. :wink:

I just checked and it's Chestnut Ridge Sewing that carries Berninas. It's on Rt. 39 about halfway between Berlin and Walnut Creek. I checked on MapQuest and it's 28 miles from where we live. I was curious because their classes are reasonably priced, much more so than at the JoAnns that's about 22 (roughly) miles from here. According to the Chestnut Ridge website, you can also use their machines and classroom for your own use when they aren't holding classes. They also carry fabric, but the website doesn't indicate how large their fabric selection is. Time for another trip! :D

Paul may know them! As we drive through the area, Paul keeps up a running commentary: "There's where Levi's brother lives, there's where one of Sarah's sisters lives, there's where one of Sarah's other sisters lives, that's the farm where they had church and I was the only driver who could get up the ice-covered drive, there's where Levi H.'s daughter moved after she got married, there's where Esther's cousins live, there's the bike shop where they all buy their bikes, there's the bulk store that Hannah likes to shop at, there's the bulk store that Esther likes to shop at, etc., etc., etc.!"

When I first found this site I started looking at pictures from the beginning. I try to keep track of the page I stop on each time, but I think I forgot to write it down last time. (I'll have to start bookmarking it so I don't miss any pics.) I remember seeing a few men who posted pics often, but who don't seem to be on here anymore. I'll have to go back and see who they were. Good idea about bookmarking; I'll start doing that.

Your brother sounds like my hubby. They're very handy people to have around!

Billy,

I couldn't think of your name when I posted about you. Duh, I'll remember it now; my brother's name is Bill.

Yes, he is definitely getting the bug. He hasn't been hauling Amish for a bit; I hope he gets back to doing that because he'll be more apt to run across good deals on treadles or other vintage machines.

I haven't had the chance to show him your recent posts about cleaning the old treadle someone bought (can't remember who without looking). I did tell him you said not to use WD-40; you should have seen the guilty look on his face! Hmmm...maybe I'd better show him that post soon. :lol:

He really liked the way you built in the treadle so as to have a nice area to lay out a quilt. He was very impressed with your studio. Now if he can figure out how to get ALL the grease out of his hands when he goes from the garage to the sewing room without leaving little black spots on everything... :(

Sandy

What a beautiful quilt! So your long arm quilter is a man? We'll see how well quilting together relieves stress when I'm doing my perfectionist thing and Paul's doing his "done is better than perfect" thing. :lol: I'm just kidding, I think it will improve communication and relieve stress and will hopefully be a lot of fun. (Although this is bringing back memories of when we wallpapered a room together...a room with no straight lines...a room with walls that angled up to the ceiling...a room in which we wallpapered the ceiling, too... A room in which I did my perfectionist thing and Paul did his "done is better than perfect" thing. A room that was thankfully small... Oh boy, I'm not sure this quilting together thing is going to work. :shock: )