jme

I know, I liked the fabric last year much better. Some shops will have Texas fabric from other lines though.

dluttrell2

Hey Everyone...Deb Luttrell, Stitchin' Heaven in Quitman here. I am the founder, facilitator, fanatical person about Quilt Across Texas and I would love to answer your questions. Benefits? Buying fabric from some great quilt shops is definitely on the top of the list but it is much more. QAT is a way to celebrate quilting in Texas and also a great way to see our fine state. Many people have not traveled to all of the regions represented and it is a great excuse to have a goal that includes seeing some of our country. Not to mention, over $45K in prizes this year from 93 shops! That is amazing! This is the largest quilt shop hop in the world! There will be scratch off cards this year at each shop where you can be an instant winner and if you did not win you can submit your tickets to QAT Headquarters and be entered in a drawing for a bonus prize. All of the shops are working very hard to be sure your experience is fun and entertaining. We realize that gas prices are at a premium (although we saw some at $2.92 this month!) and we want to be sure you don't feel like you wasted your money. The passports are out (get yours at any participating shop) and are $5 each with a $5 coupon inside. These booklets are great to hold as a reference once the event is over. There is even a QAT iPhone/Droid/Blackberry app which is wonderful and will really help you get around. All shops are committing to 9-6 Monday-Saturday and many will have extended hours on Sunday. So, I would love to see you in Quitman! You don't have to do all the regions - you can do one region and qualify for prizes. Please let me know if you have other questions...

JanTx

I'll be doing our region this year - don't remember the number, but it's the Gulf Coast. Last year I think we had 14 shops that stretched from Corpus Christi to Nederland and we made maybe 10 of those shops. This year there are fewer shops that cover fewer miles so I'm hoping to get to all in my region.

I found shops I didn't know existed. My husband loves to do this sort of thing and it's "talk time" for us. I look for fat quarters in each shop that I use to make red/white/black quilts for piano students who are graduating. So ... don't spend a lot unless there's really something different or special. I did find a shop last year that had backing fabric for a better price than my local shop and got some of that.

Since I can go only on weekends - and babysit a grandson every other weekend - I'm really limited in the time I have for this, but ... I enjoy what I get to. There's just something FUN about hopping through the month. THere's an excitement in the air that's ... fun!

dluttrell2

I'm very happy to hear your thoughts Jan and yours match what we hear from so many Texans who are on the road promoting quilting in September. It is really cool for people from all over the state to be in the store exchanging stories of where they have been, what they have seen, and (yes) what they have bought! LOL!

I was unhappy with the coastal region last year but it could not be helped. I was very pleased the several of the Houston shops joined in this year so we could divide that area into two sections. I think it will be easier for everyone.

Anyway...would love for you to make it to Region 5! We are giving these adorable European charms at each shop with a $10 purchase in red/white/blue so at then end you will have a "Texas" bracelet. They are just really cute.

debs

I participated in last years and really enjoyed it. Did spend money at every shop I went to in my region. Wish I had time, money, etc. to do the entire state. Even if you only get to a few shops in your region it is a great thing going. I found 2 shops I like better than the one in my city! You meet some great folks ad see lots of things you might normally miss. I don't think I will participate this year as I'mplanning a trip to Colorado in September & know I will hit many of their shops & learning embroidery there.
if you have time and like to meet folks, and love to see new fabrics, quilts, and various supplies it is a great way to do it.
Have fun everyone & safe traveling!

shortmom5

I would love to participate fully in my region, but have you seen the size of region 1? When I look at a few of the other regions I just don't get it (mileage wise). I Calculated region 1 and it would take a min. of 17 driving hours, NOT including stopping for meals and time to shop. Guess I need to live in the Dallas area. Don't get me wrong, I think it would be great to do and maybe one day I will.

SallySaidSew

I was visiting my Mom in Texas last year when this was going on. We happened to visit a couple of shops in Corpus Christi that were participating. That was my first exposure to a shop hop. I plan on doing my first full hop in my area later this month. Wish I could do the Corpus region one with my mom, though. Have fun y'all!

JanTx

Our local quilt shop is always a great place to be, but with the Quilt Across Texas program they have really worked hard to have more, more, more! More quilts on display, more kits ready for purchase, more displays, more, more, more! It's just plain old fun. There are 7 shops in our region this year instead of the 14 we had to get to to complete the region last year. I'll definately get them all in. Went to the local one yesterday and picked up the kit they have with this year's Texas fabrics. How COOL to have fabric with the name of our little town on it! (Each shop involved in the hop has it's name on the fabric.) Also picked up a Thanksgiving fat quarter and some fabric for backing that was on the promotional shelf for $3.50/yard. The shops don't put things on sale for this hop - I think they try not to have one shop have an advantage over another and since we're going into several shops don't want to find fabric less in one shop than I paid for it in another. But this shop always has a promotional shelf and I always check it for good deals. So - a kit with fabric that will not be available later, a $2.75 fat quarter, and backings for two quilts at a great price. I won't be able to spend that much in my other stops, but will have fun looking anyway. I keep fat quarters in some "themes" that I collect during events like this - while spending just a little bit I can enjoy hopping through the shops. (Patriotic, black/red/white, and school are themes I find fqs for when I hop through shops.)

shortmom5

I really like the thankfulness fabric, which fabric line is it from? Would like to get some of it.

JanTx

Since I just bought a fat quarter the only info on the selvege is modafabrics.com and pattern #19561