Western Washington Quilt Shop Hop - Day #2

I'm back on the road for Day #2 of the Quilt Shop Hop.  Ten more shops on the schedule for today, beginning in Olympia and ending in Vancouver, Washington (home for me).  Given that day two would take me through some smaller towns I wasn't sure quite what to expect but I'm up for an adventure so let's go!



Stop #1 - Bayside Quilting, Olympia, WA
What a find!  I walk in to find all the ladies that work there with red polka dot ribbons in their hair (like "Rosie the Riveter") and guess what?  I'm wearing red polka dot Keds!  Seriously, the store scores as one of my favorites.  Lots of room to wander and wonderful fabric selections.  I picked up a couple of batiks to go with fabric I found the day before.  I will most certainly be back!


Stop #2 - Ruby Street Quiltworks, Tumwater
Just a bit south on I-5 is Ruby Street.  It is right off the freeway so quick to get to.  While I didn't purchase anything here it was worth the stop.  They had an offer with their quilt block (return to the store with it completed by July 31st and you get 40% off a single cut of fabric).  We'll see :-)






Stop #3 - Quilter's Junction, Centralia, WA
Look at those shutters!  What a great way to quickly dress an otherwise boring warehouse building.  Walk inside and you're in a cozy quilt shop.  There were a lot of locals in the shop at the time and can tell it is a favorite hangout for quilters.  I found some very cute sock money fabric to make into a pillowcase for my nephew.  You could incorporate this stop in with a stop at the outlets (just saying)!


Stop #4 - Sister's Fabric, Chehalis, WA

Sister's Fabrics is so adorable that it was worthy of two photos (and yes, I'm entered to win that amazing quilt, fingers crossed).  Every square inch of the store is utilized.  Fabric is double stacked and patterns are on each end of a row.  There were amazing quilts on display as well.  This little gem is nestled in a great area to stroll the streets and grab a bite to eat!



I did purchase a pattern from the store and looking forward to selecting fabric in the near future.  As I was leaving I happened to leave my quilt block kit behind but thankfully they tracked me down - much appreciated.  
The shop finishes in my top 5 favorites!







Stop #5 - The Quilt Nest, Castle Rock, WA
Well the day of great little shops continues.  I had never been into the town of Castle Rock (just saw the exit going up and down I-5) and was quite impressed.  One thing I noticed was the number of themed prints they had (you know what I mean - you need to make a quilt for a person into hunting and looking for a fabric or two).  Well, this is your place.  If you live in Vancouver this really isn't that far out of town.

Are you thinking I should be stopping for a bite to eat?  Well no time for that today!  I saved half my sandwich from yesterday and kept it in a cooler along with water.  Time is a wasting and I need to get to stop #6!

Stop #6 - Longview Sewing, Longview, WA
Evidently Longview is taking advantage of the summer weather and getting roadwork done.  Traffic, traffic everywhere (and some rude drivers).  That being said, I arrived at the shop.  Not a lot to see from the outside but once inside you will find the place full of light.  I found a piece of fabric to use for a backing on a quilt (don't we all have around 5 or so projects going at once?).  To my surprise it was on clearance - $6.99 a yard - SCORE!




 

Stop #7 - Momma Made It, Longview, WA
The next shop is just a few blocks away from my last stop.  How convenient, especially given the traffic.  The picture I'm posting was actually taken from the internet as I forgot to take a photo.  Truthfully, I thought the store felt a bit darker.  The majority of the fabric had a vintage look.  They were beautiful just not what I'm drawn to.  That being said the fabrics were lovely and good to keep in mind if working on a project with that sort of feel (in fact, I sent a message to a friend while there who is working on a vintage project).






Stop #8 - Paisley Duck Quilting, Kelso, WA
Yep!  Just when I'm thinking that I've bit off more than I can take in one day I arrive at Paisley Duck.  Who knew that Kelso had such a great store?  I'm most impressed by the little touches in the store.  Projects that are just a bit out of the ordinary (right up my alley) and fabric lines that I haven't seen at other stores on my trip.  They also had refreshments for weary travelers and displays of past shop hop quilts.  Inspiring!


Stop #9 - Just For Fun Quilting, Vancouver
Well, we're back in the 'Couve, my hometown for the past 30 years.  And wouldn't you know it?  I've never been to Just for Fun.  Evidently they have quite a following as the owner explained she has expanded several times over the past 5 years.





- Stop #10 - Fiddlesticks, Vancouver WA
Well, here we are.  The final stop of the journey.  Fiddlesticks is about 3 miles from my house so I know them well.  They have had quite a run on the shop hop fabric (good thing I didn't wait until the last stop to purchase).  I turned in my passport here with 20 stamps which puts me in the running for some fabulous prizes!


Well, there you have it.  Western Washington Quilt Shop Hop 2014 is in the books.  All in all I would say I was more impressed with the shops from day #2.  As I stated above, most of the shops are in small towns with fewer people to pull from and it shows.  They go above and beyond with customer service, project ideas and selection of fabrics.

I now have 20 blocks begging for attention but of course they are going to have to wait for other projects ahead of them.  I look forward to returning to several of the shops I have discovered along the journey as I travel up and down the I-5 corridor.  I hope my blog gives you a bit of insight as to what is out there.  Perhaps I'll see you next year!