If you had to choose one Lancaster County PA quilt shop...
 

Which one would you most want to visit? At the end of the month we are headed to Lancaster County to visit DD, SIL and my grandkids, ages 3 and 5, who moved this summer near the town of Ephrata. We only have 1 1/2 days there because we are then taking them all to the coast for Labor Day weekend. I miss my grandkids like crazy and my time with them will be the priority. Knowing my personal shopping time will be limited to just a few hours this first visit, if I only have time for 1 shop, which should it be? There will be future visits, but the drive is 800 miles one way so they won't happen very often. Which quilt shop should I see this first trip?

I believe there is one in Ephrata. However depending on the way you go. Sauders just off he turnpike is a very good one as it is in a bar behind he house. If in Intercourse, there are two in town The Old Coutry Store and Zooks across the street and another just a mile west of there But I would opt for Sauders.

My favorite is Weavers, in Lititz but then Zooks in Intercoarse is also good

I like Sauders-a sister store to Zooks.

Thanks...did a look on Mapquest and Sauders isn't too far from Ephrata, so this might be a good choice. One reveiw was the prices are good there.

I've not benn to this specific store, but I saw photos of it on Bonnie Hunters blog. It was called Obies in Middletown, PA. I have never seen such a vast inventory of fabric and quilts, and according to her photos, it was quite the looking place. One of these years when we go on a road trip, I'd like to stop there.

You might want to try Brubakers. They are near Sauders.

I personally like Old Country and Zooks. Zooks and Sauders are sister stores but I think Zooks has more of a selection. Since time is very limited for you, I would avoid Obies if I were you. Granted they have tons of fabric but you'll be terrified it's all going to fall on your head. However, if you're looking for licensed fabric (sports teams, etc.) they ARE the hot tip. And if you're looking for flannel, there's another shop down the street from Old Country/Zooks. Believe it's in Bird in Hand. Was a house that is now rooms of fabric. They have an entire room of flannel. And downstairs is a great notions shop. Nancy's Notions is also downstairs from Zooks in Intercourse. Have a wonderful trip. Possibly take the grands to Intercourse and wander through the Kettle Kitchen village (believe that's the name). You'll park in their lot to go to Old Country/Zooks.

Thanks for these suggestions! If I go shopping with the kids Grandpa will have to keep them busy to allow me to look at fabric!

I am from Aberdeen, MD and we venture up to Lancaster County frequently. I would definitely recommend Burkholder's in Denver, PA....of all the stores mentioned here, it has the biggest selection! Everything is pretty close together though so from Ephrata you can hit Obie's, Burkholder's, Sauder's and drive via 897 to Rt 340 which has Zooks and Old Country store and several other quilt shops. If you guys are visiting Lancaster County, you might want to visit Rt 340 (Bird-in-Hand, Intercourse and Paradise) anyway since it has a lot of little non-quilting shops worth looking at. Enjoy your trip :)

Zook's and Old Country Store are across the street from each other. Both are excellent and Old Country Store has a small but always impressive quilt display on the second floor. I'd probably pick Sauder's (which is in the basement of a house on a road that looks like it's going nowhere). Great selection of fabrics and they also sell bulk foods, lots of bagged candies and cookies for your grandchildren to browse while you browse the fabrics. A friend who is a long-time serious quilter recently recommended Good's in East Earl (general Lancaster area). She said you could spend a whole day looking at the fabrics and prices are good - a big selection at $2.99/yard. I can't personally recommend that one since I've never been there but I'd go by what she says. It's next to Shady Maple, one of the big buffets popular in the area.

you can't beat Sauder's for the price... Burkholder's isn't too far the other direction, but it pricier... If you want to meet for coffee or lunch, just let me know!!! I live about 20 min from Sauder's!!!

What a kind offer! I'm afraid I'm only going to have 2-3 hours at most to make a hit on any shops, probably in the afternoon while one grand is in kindergarten and the other napping. Our next trip out we'll definitely be planning to spend more time in the area.

I would say Burkholder's. They are very large! Not far from Ephrata.

Please allow me to jump in! My friend & I are heading to Lancaster in October (from Ontario!) & this discussion is timely! We were there in 2010 but we didn't get to many quilt shops due to time. I'm going to be sure to write down these suggestions! Thank you so much everyone.
Teacup: enjoy your trip & of course the time with the grands!
Maureen

I would say Burkholders too. Their selection is wonderful!!

So many shops, it is hard to choose. But one word of advice...Obie's is unique! Bolts of fabric stacked floor to ceiling and rows almost to narrow to pass through. There is lots of fabric and prices are reasonable, but talk about sensory overload! lol I would say you should visit sometime, but if you can only visit one shop, then save Obie's for when you have more time.

Just went to Lancaster yesterday, shopped at Log Cabin fabrics, Old Country Store and Zooks, also stopped in Bitty Kinna, next to Old Country Store, they are closing next month, all the fabrics left were $5 yard or less. Then, for the first time went to Obie's, what can I say "OMG" never expected to see all that fabric, but found exactly what I was looking for, all I can say is that it was a true experience.....

Obie's is interesting but too crowded to be able to look at much. It's a place to go when you have plenty of time. I would go to Weaver's in Lititz or Burkholder's in Denver. They aren't too far apart and both are great. I was just in Lancaster last month for a day and a half of fabric shopping and was very disappointed with Sauder's. Didn't think it had nearly as much fabric as it used to.

Have fun - it's a great area!

Thanks! I know I'll have to allow lots of time for future trips.

It may be too late for you but Sauders is having an anniversery sale with 20% off everything in the store from September 6th to the 11th. Their warehouse (upstairs) will also be open with good prices on full bolts. Sauders is my favorite store in the Lancaster area for their prices but Burkeholders is also wonderful - slightly higher prices (get on their email list to get coupons) but better selection of newer lines.

I'm afraid I won't be that week, too bad! But I'll let my daughter know in case she can go.

Mrs. Fitz
Was Sauder's in the downstairs/basement of a home? My mom and I went on a bus trip to Lancaster to a bunch of different quilting stores and there was one that had candy and I think a few spices ,etc that I loved. Did they have some quilting patterns that were marked down too in a separate bin/container? We can't remember the name of it. We've been to Zook's and Good's on our own when we weren't on a bus trip. Been to the yummy Shady Maple Smorgasboard too. You've got to go to Good's like another member mentioned for sure. Especially to hit the Shady Maple Smorgasboard. It is scrumpdillyicious :)

Nursie76
Where is Obie's located? I've been to Lancaster and I think I missed that one. I'd love to go there. Were their prices reasonable? Thanks :)

I would recommend Weaver's in Lititz (not too far from Bird-in-Hand). Great prices and fantastic prices for backing fabric too. The Quilt and Fabric Shack in Bird-in-hand is fantastic also.

Well, it's going to be hard to pick one! We leave next Wednesday.

Thanks for all the info, my sister, neice and I are going in Oct. Neither one of them are quilters but will tag along to a few fabric stores ...

Any and all of the quilt shops are good. Spend your time wisely.

Enjoy,

Burkholders has a deer farm next door to it and it has a really nice playground for the kids and rockers on the front porch for your family to enjoy while you shop... beautiful scenery and on rt 272 golden palace diner is awesome .. this is near sauders and burkholders.enjoy your trip and let us know which one you get to ..
big hugs
quiltinmama

I like Sauders in Denver, PA. the girls are friendly and helpful. I find Burkholder's in Denver to be more expensive.
We usually take an annual trip out to PA to look for material shops. not to many around, did an internet search, list came up with lots of place, but 99% were closed. After going to where 4 of stores were suppose to be, we started calling the numbers listed. Keep getting, this is no longer a working number. So we just headed out to Sauders and spent a couple hundred of bucks to keep me going for a while.

I LOVE Good's, they have flat fold of cotton fabric for $2.99 a yard.
Every time I'm in Lancaster I go there.
They also have bolts of fabric that are more money but still less then the LQS.
Have fun.

by far the best is martin's. $3.79 flat fold and there are tables loaded w/fabrics of all themes. the also have nice selection of double sided quilted $9; and shelves of all the popular brands of fabric at reasonable prices. obie's is as big as your bathroom. if you are a woman of substance forget about it. you'll not fit down the aisles. i didn't. and the fabric is stacked on the horizontal. so you cant see what's in the middle and if you do, you can't get it out. brubacker's is another great one w/30,000 bolts of fabric. and any of the goods shops.

So sorry, just realized I never answered your question. Obies address is: 1585 Main Street, Goodville, PA.
It is packed floor to ceiling with fabric off all types. Prices are a little below the average quilt shop fabric. The down side is trying to find anything in all the stacks. It is fun if you aren't pressed for time. I enjoyed it and would go again, but with my allergies, can't spend too long before I am sneezing my head off! LOL!

Well, I went a month ago, and just as I thought, I only had time for one shop. I chose Sauder's...it was fun. Great selection and I got some good prices. I didn't overspend, although I sure could have gotten a lot more! The week after I was there they were having their annual sale, hated to miss it. Hard to keep the 3-year-old happy while his mom and I looked...I bribed him by letting him pick out some treats from the food section of the shop. Our next trip out to PA won't be for quite a while, but I definitely will be doing more shopping at some other stores. Thanks for all of your recommendations.

I like Burkholder's and Old Country Store