I am visiting my GD in Knoxville and was hoping someone on the board can lead me to some quilting shops that are a "must" to visit.

lots of shops listed. just type in quilt shops in Knoxville in your search.

I live near Knoxville and here is what I would recommend:

1) Sewing Machines Etc on Kingston Pike. Gayla and Dave are great people, and they have a great selection of fabrics. Also a dealer for Pfaff, Baby Lock, and possibly another brand. Dave is an awesome repair guy.
2) Mamaw's Thimble on Papermill. Vivian is a lot of fun - huge shop with lots of variety. No sewing machines.
3) Gina's Bernina. Also on Kingston Pike further west. Large shop with lots of variety.
4) Kat Lover's Purrfect quilting. Donna is just off Clinton Highway on Kermit. It is a smaller shop but she is very helpful and has some things the other shops don't have. No machines here.
5) That's Sew Mary Jane in Halls. Mary Jane just moved into a bigger shop and we haven't seen it yet. She is now a Janome dealer and that's the reason for the move. The new shop is on Mayardville Highway next to K-Mart.
6) Dizzy Divas. Near East Town aka Knoxville Center Mall on Millertown Pike. It is a residential house converted to a fabric shop. Wanda is who we usually talk to and she is a lot of fun. This is a smaller shop with no machines, but again, they carry things the others don't.
7) If you're up for a drive, head up to Tazewell, about an hour/hour and a half drive. There is a discount fabic store up there and they have tons of stuff. Some name brands, some flat folds, some seconds, and some fabrics I've never heard of. You can spend a half day in there at least.
8) We have a Joann and a couple of Hobby Lobbys.

If you are doing all the "touristy" stuff, there are other shops in the area. Sevier County has Machine Quilting by Iva, Mountain Stitches by Susan, and the Cherry Pit. Crossville has Little Blessings. Julia taught us a really good Rail Fence class, and we plan to take another class from her. There is a shop in Lafollette that we have never been to. In Clinton, there is a small shop/Pfaff dealer called Sew Unique. In Harriman there is a shop near the interstate called Loose Threads. There are also shops in Jonesboro and Johnson City that we have visited and liked.

If you have any specific questions, send me a PM. I'm usually on the board at least 4 times/week. Enjoy your visit!

Darren

Thank you for all the info. I don't know what my GD has planned for us but you can be sure I will visit several of these shops. thanks again

I'm near Knoxville and had NO idea there was so much to choose from!! :thumbup: Thanks!! I'm headed to the store in Tazewell today because, well, you know... can't have too many projects right?!