A friend asked me to "review" my favorite area quilt shops... so, here goes! In no particular order... they are all so amazing I don't think I could pick one as a favorite!
Quilt In Joy, Huntley, IL: This little quilt shop has an amazing array of fabrics! They just celebrated their one-year anniversary last month. They have the best selection of batiks in this whole area, and the staff is so friendly! I love going there- they just make you feel so welcome- like you came to their house for a day of sewing! They also have one of the best selection of notions. I like that- they have a lot of notions that you can't get at the big, scary box store. Quilt In Joy is the closest quilt shop to my house. Love it!
Tammy Tadd Designs, Sycamore, IL: This not-so-little quilt shop is the brightest, happiest place! Their selection of bright fabrics is out of this world. They have one of the biggest selections of 1930's reproduction fabrics in this area. One of the ladies that works there does an amazing job of decorating and keeping everything looking fresh! They teach some innovative classes, and carry embellishment items that are hard to find, like jumbo ric-rac. They also do long-arm quilting on site, and the turn around is pretty fast! Tammy Tadd Designs is the next closest shop to my house.
Quilter's General Store, Rockford, IL: This fantastic shop is THE place to go if you want Civil War reproductions, and darker fabrics like Kansas Troubles by Moda. The staff is so friendly, and they are very knowledgeable about the stuff they carry. They carry whole "collections" of fabric, which is very nice. They make samples for just about everything, and they make a lot of kits, which is so nice! They also have space devoted to "softer" fabrics and children's fabrics. They get nationally-known designers in for lectures and workshops, too, which is so much fun! Quilter's General Store is a bit of a drive from my house, but totally worth it!
There are some quilt shops that are not in this area that I really like, too. They are Mill House Quilts, in Waunakee, WI: this quilt shop has the most fabric I have ever seen under one roof- and all sorts, too, from flannel to batiks! And last but certainly not least is Ivy Thimble Quilt Shop, in Victor, NY (my hometown!!). I only get back home once or twice a year, but this shop is always on my intinerary. They have a great selection of batiks and "basics", like Moda Marbles and Kaufmann Fusions.
There you are- a few of my favorite things!
Making progress.......................
1 hour ago
Where is Marengo? I used to live in Mount Morris 25 years ago, which is about 16 miles S/SW of Rockford, not far from Oregon, IL. I worked at the nuke plant then, before I moved to Texas. I know Sterling too, but Marengo? Sounds vaguely familiar, but I just can't place it.
ReplyDeleteAfter living in Chicago for so many years, I felt like I was living on the edge of the map in Mt. Morris. My Mom used to call it "Mayberry" lol
Susan in Texas
http://www.susanintexas.blogspot.com
They sound like fantastic shops to keep you well supplied. I'm fortunate to have good access to a variety of quilt fabric shops that *feed the habit*
ReplyDeleteHappy Stitching...Ann :)
Hi Jen,
ReplyDeleteLove your shop list as you are getting not so far from me!
I would also like to invite you to check out my 2009 Quilt Retreat Weekend that is held in Belmont, Wisconsin. This is not that far from your area.
Go to my website at www.Quiltsbybarb.com and click on 2009 Retreat for complete details. I have also starter a Quilt Retreat blog and the link to it is also there.
We would love to have you join us in 2009!
Barb