Quilt show and shopping
 

I have just returned from what I thought would be a wonderful weekend of quilt related stuff shopping. My husband and I had reservations for a dinner theater that we had to postpone because of the weather. Our anniversary was on March 5 but we moved it to the 14th so I could do some shopping in Amish country around Lancaster, PA. My husband went on line and pulled up the addresses etc. of at least 44 shops that supposedly sold fabric or other quilt related items in the area around Lancaster County, PA. We used our GPS to locate a number of the shops that I had never yet visited. Much to our disappointment all but one of them were out of business. Many no longer had any signs and their phones had been disconnected. It looks as though many of the names and addresses came from the yellow pages on line. We ended up going to the National Quilt show being held at the Lancaster Convention Center. Again I was disappointed. There was a quilt I saw at the Sewing and Quilt Expo last weekend in Hunt Valley, MD that they didn't have a pattern for even though they were displaying it as if they did. With three floors of quilts and vendors I didn't find that pattern anywhere. As a hand quilter I mark my own quilts. The only vendor selling quilting stencils was someone who used a special pouncer that they invented or at least patented. They had wonderful stencils but they would not work without the pouncer. No sale there. I also noticed that like the Expo last weekend the vendors biggest drive was to sell longarm machines, supplies and accessories. On the way home this morning we stopped at that old stand by Sauders and I spent $108 on fabric. They have wonderful prices and sell bolts as well as flat folds etc. We decided to try one more shop that was on the list my husband downloaded. It was located in Hershey, PA. Of course it also no longer existed. When I called the phone number the recording said it had been disconnected. Just wondering if anyone else had similar stories.

I'm going on a shop hop trip to Denver in several weeks and noticed when I was looking up quilt shops that some of them had closed. Many new shops had opened though. What my friend and I do is call the shops we have found on-line to see if they are still open. Sorry you had such a bad experience. I love going to new shops to see what fun fabrics they carry that aren't available in my area.

I have learned to double check all quilt businesses in other areas before I make a special trip there. The way I do it is to post on Facebook the name of the quilt business and ask for info. I found out fast several of the ones I had planned to visit were shut down. I also got a lot of info about the stores here and on other quilt boards. Yellow pages are way outdated. I don't go by what the yellow pages list unless I call first.

I went to the AQS show in Phoenix in Feb. (the show in Lancaster is also AQS so the same quilts would be on display) and I agree that there were a LOT of vendors selling longarm machines. Also, embroidery machines, batiks and embellishments. Quilting is changing which isn't a bad thing but not much left for traditional quilters to choose from. I did buy the stencils with the pouncer but haven't used it yet. I now buy most of my fabric online or at a few LQSs.
Sorry you had a bad experience with most the quilt shops.

I'm hoping to be there later this month. Would you be able to post the names of the shops that you learned are closed?
Thanks!

I just checked online and found that the Quiltmakers Cottage in Hershey PA closed in November. So sad. I really liked that shop and stopped whenever I was in that area.

I once went to a shop listed on the GPS yellow pages... what a surprise... its was fabric underwear for men who dress as women. I learned to call and ask what types of fabric they sell.

Happy (belated) Anniversary on March 5. Which year were you celebrating? We celebrated our 50th on that day, as well as our baby girl's birthday.

I'm always surprised when shops that close don't take down advertising or web pages. I've wasted time that way also. But, that husband sounds like a keeper!

We have a wonderful shop in Tucson closing Bella Quilt shop will be closed as of March 31st. I really did not like the AQS show in Phoenix I spent less than $20!! Unheard of for me

I was at the AQS Show in Lancaster too. I did not get to the vendor only stop at the Contential Hotel on Rt. 30, across from the Host Hotel. I wanted to go today to Intercourse to Zooks, one of the best around, and then onto Goods' Store where the flatfolds were $2.15 all week. They carry brand names. Then I was going to hit the hotel vendors but husband said he wanted to watch the U/D girls basketball. So much for my plans. I did buy a few pieces of fabric and two patterns at the show. I liked some of the quilts. Some were over the top, too artsy for me.

I fly to Bakercity Ore. every year to visit my sister. My plane lands in Boise. After my sis and her daughter pick me up ( both are quilters ) we always hit all the shops in Boise and a few more on the way to her house. In the last couple of years so many of those shops have closed, it's so sad. I think that big price hike in cotton a couple of years ago really hurt the smaller shops, and not having an on-line business probably does not help either.

Most online Yellow Pages listings are not actually placed by the business, but just picked up from phone company or other data. They are notoriously inaccurate, and even when you try to get them changed, it's difficult, unless you pay to do so. I am fairly experienced in this area, because working in marketing for several companies, it's been something we've struggled with. Even the printed Yellow Pages, which you do pay to be listed in, are rife with errors, and old info. We have had branches of our business that have been closed for years suddenly show up randomly in printed directories too!

I tend to trust a store's own webpage though, provided I can tell it's being updated. Obviously, you can call to confirm, but if they have a current class calendar, and the copyright on the site is up to date, I wouldn't even bother to call. Most businesses will take their site down if they close, but some smaller ones that use "free" website services may not bother. But never trust online Yellow Pages!

They don't allow you to enter another aqs show with the same quilt so the quilts will be different at each show. Also the teachers are different at each show. I just got home from aqs Lancaster and had a great time. I got great buys on batting and wool and also found a couple of new patterns. I guess its all in what you are looking for.

yes this has happened to me to. We planned a trip around some shops only to find they were no longer in business. I went on line and found what seemed like an Amish shop. Spent ab hour driving up and down back roads only to find it out of business. We found another store that was suppose to be Amish but once inside realized it was not. Glad the weather was nice. We had a nice day for a ride.

I'm so sorry you had a bad experience with the Lancaster show. I drive up every year from NC to see the show - oh, and to visit family!! I was born in York, PA. Had a fabulous time at the show - rarely purchase fabrics as I want them all!! This year was the year for rulers/templates - lots that I knew I wanted and got them all. The show at the Continental was good as always. Almost got another vintage Singer but let it go to another lady - I knew she would give her a good home - and I really, really do not "need" another machine (sigh!). We are getting an AQS show this coming July in Charlotte and I am so excited (I get home just in time from going to Quilt Odyssey in Hershey - and oh, yes , from visiting family also!!). Cannot wait - and the quilts are different in all AQS shows - but I have seen some in other shows - and they are not ever in my world of being able to make and people need to remember that most are made exclusively to be put into big shows - but they are beautiful nine the less.

I am planning in trying to get out to Fabric and Quilt Shack on Rte. 340 just before you get to Good 'n Plenty - north side of 340. It's Amish-owned and has good prices and great fabric. The pre-cuts are a very good price considering what they cost in regular quilt stores. I always keep my Quilters Travel Companion with me wherever I go - the website for this gives updates on which shops have moved, closed, etc. plus new shops that aren't in the book yet. I never use yellow pages for the reasons mentioned before. Unfortunately some shops have closed for various reasons - we all are probably aware of The Country Store and it's problems; Bitty Kinna closed last year (or was it the year before?) due to illness in her family. If you can you need to stretch out beyond Bird-in-Hand and Intercourse to other areas in Lancaster County - Ladyfingers in Oley is the hime of dimples fabrics (yum!!!); Zook's/Sauders is great; Burkholder's has so much fabric I almost OD when I went there the first time. I'm not crazy about Good's - just my opinion.

Sorry for rattling on - I have rarely been to a show that disappointed me, including small local ones. Sometimes I purchase minimally, sometimes I help the local economy a great deal - as in this week! Ask thus list any time you are able to go to a show and we would all be glad to steer you to great places to shop plus ones that are no longer open. We would love to help you have a good experience.

Sandy in Mooresville - but in York, PA at the moment - going home on Tuesday.

Sandy, thanks for all that great information! I'm trying to pick a few stores to go so I don't drag my husband to too many places. He's patient but there are limits ;-) For things like batting, rulers, thread is there any store you might recommend that has better prices?
Thanks again.
Nancy

I have not seen "Weavers" mentioned, and that is one of my favorite spots near Lancaster. It is outside of Lititz Pa.

I just went shop hopping last week and found a brand new shop which was wonderful. So when your favorite shop closes I guess it is time to look for a new one. Unfortunately this shop is too far away for me to go there very often. It is amazing that so many shops have closed and the comment from the owners always is the same--we did not have enough business. Hard to understand as some times I have to drive miles to find a shop and it does get discouraging.

Thank you for your good wishes. It was our 37th anniversary. We went to the Dutch Apple Dinner theater and the quilt show in Lancaster since none of the shops I tried to visit seemed to be open anymore. I did get to Sauders and spent more than I should have.

I live just outside Denver. We have many quilt shops with fantastic choices, also the Denver Fabric is the largest supplier in the area and has just about anything you can imagine. Google quilt shops in Denver area and that should give you the locations and help you out.

Sandy, Thanks for the information. I was only looking for one pattern that I saw a made up version of at the Expo in Hunt Valley, MD last weekend. The vendor was displaying the quilt but only had a kit that they wanted $75 for. I have more than enough fabric I just wanted the pattern. I was unable to find it at the Lancaster Show. I live in Maryland just below the PA line south of Hanover, PA. I do most of my shopping in Hanover. My husband is 73 and was being very gracious about taking me to quilt shops. It didn't improve his mood when we kept driving in all directions only to find the shops gone.

It seems like the lessons to be learned from this saga is to call before leaving to make sure the shops are still open.

try this website you put in the zip code, hit tab top right corner for quilt shops. as mentioned earlier, i believe in checking out the websites or calling to see if closed.

also not mentioned is martins, in lebanon. great fabric 3.79 flat fold and not old fabric such as sauders and zooks.

sorry about that: http://www.fonsandporter.com/quiltshopapp.html

I travel a lot and am always seeking out new quilt shops. I find that the on-line sources are not the most reliable. I check the phone books in the hotels as they are usually current and then call to business. I have found some wonderful shops along the way.

That is really a shame. Hopefully your find at the end help make up for some of the disappointment.

Sandy, my daughter lives in Statesville and I would love to know the dates and location of the AQS quilt show.

Well I'm not able to do travel like you do but after reading what you went through i'm sure that you have helped so many in the future. When I go to a different town I get on the PC and type what state i'm goint to and then look up the store there will be their number and i call before I go. You would be surprised how many don't exist right where you live that says they do. I'm so sorry you trip was not a nice experience but your story will help alot of quilters. thank you ladyredhawk

Re pounder...if the chalk dust is blue..be careful. Maybe difficult to remove....just heard from others.......

I was able to go to one quilt show in Wichita when we were in the states last May/June. I, too was surprised by the "bling" on the quilts there. I hadn't noticed much bling on quilts here on this board so it took me by surprise.

I thought it was pretty for wall hangings, maybe. But I mostly make bed sized quilts, so while "quaint" or "interesting", it wasn't something I really cared much about learning in depth.

I noticed a lot of long arms for sale, but there were some fabric places with good prices. That made me happy.

Oh dear, that was a surprise I'm sure.

I was in Lancaster for the show and it was disappointing but I managed to go to 20+ quilt shops in the area to 'replenish' my stash. The only one I knew that closed was the Old Country Store in Intercourse.

Was excited to find out about a quilt store in Presque Isle, Maine...only 45 minutes from my new vacation home...only to find that they closed last year. No quilt stores north of Houlton which is almost 2 hours south of me. Don't know what I'm going to do when I retire up there. There are Walmarts and Marden's. Not sure if there are JAF stores in northern Maine. For now, living in southern New Hampshire, I am pretty spoiled with quite a few LQS around my area.

So sorry to hear about your "time wasted". Happy Anniversary! My DH and I just had our 15th in December. Sounds like you've got a "keeper" in your DH (me, too!).

Anita

i have an app called "quilt shops". Many of you may already use it, but for those of you that don't it work decent. I call ahead to see if their open, moved and store hours. It is disheartening to hear of quilt shops closing. I try to support them where I can. I love checking out shops while traveling, time permitting and checkbook of course.

SO SORRY for the issues you experienced! If you are ever in that area again - you should try Burkholders, which is located in Denver, PA (about 1/2 hour drive (and a pretty one at that) from Lancaster…I could spend an entire DAY at that shop - and I find the variety and quality and prices better than Sauders...

So sorry to hear that The Quilt Ledger in Christiana, PA did not end up on your list. It is about 20 minutes outside of Lancaster and is my favorite store!! Hopefully when you come to town again you will put The Quilt Ledger on your list and stop by. The owner, Leslie, has a fabulous sense of color and the store is always ablaze in new designs and fabulous fabrics. She had a great midnight madness sale on Friday night..... You can also checkout the store online....

The AQS Charlotte show is the end of July - I'm thinking it starts on the 30th (July) for 4 days. It's at the Convention Center right in uptown Charlotte (it's called uptown, not downtown). There is a parking garage close by so you shouldn't have to walk far. I'm hoping that everyone!! will go to the show so we can keep it. Paducah is about an 8-hour drive depending on how many stops you make so we don't get a chance to go very often. I will just be back from PA and Quilt Odyssey when this show starts so hope I'm not too pooped out or broke to go. I'll try to remember to give more info on the Charlotte show when I get back home.

If you're ever in Statesville on the second Monday of the month you should take a trip down to Mooresville to our quilt guild. We meet at 10am in the senior center which is just behind the citizen center off Main Street.

Sandy in Mooresville, NC - heading back home tomorrow from York, PA

Kathy -

I've never heard of this shop but I sure will locate it and get it,on my list for this coming summer. Thanks so much for letting us all know. Don't think I saw it listed in the Quilters Travel Companion. It's always sad when a good shop closes but I understand the many reasons for a closing - we lost one in Mooresville a few years ago.

Sandy in Mooresville, NC - once again I brought weather to York - the snow was my fault (long story here)!!

Which pattern are you looking for. Maybe I can help find it for you. I always stop at Wilson's in Hagerstown when I'm coming up. My husband even knows the way to this shop (the only quilt shop by the way) when we are going up to Gloversville, NY where he was born. We inherited his parents house and I go up maybe once a year because the town sucks! (With bug apologies for the word and anyone who lives there). Although there is a really nice quilt shop there which makes the trip worthwhile - for me.

I thought about going to Hunt Valley show but decided to wait till June when the Expo comes to Raleigh.

Sandy in Mooresville, NC