Quilt Shops - A Trifecta!

I am blessed! No matter what city I find myself in - at home in Iowa; or in Sydney, Australia; or Kansas City, Kansas - God always arranges for me to meet and develop friendships with wonderful quilters. Being here in Kansas for many weeks now, I've been grateful for the chance to get to know Carla of Lollyquiltz. We met through our blogs, and I've come to appreciate that she's a darling Christian woman who lovingly and generously shares herself with her children and grandchildren. Today, while Tay was at daycare, I was fortunate to spend a day with her. 

The original plan was to visit one quilt shop, but when we oopsed and missed an Interstate exit - Could there have been a bit of distracting conversation? - before we knew it, we were in Lawrence. Being reasonable people, we quickly agreed that we shouldn't just turn around. Gosh, we'd miss two quilt shops right there on Massachusetts Street! So, our first stop was Stitch On Needlework Shop. It's a combo gift shop and quilt shop with the quilting part at the back of the store. Nice selections and we both found some necessities.

Linda and Carla at Stitch On Needlework Shop, Lawrence

Right across the street is Sarah's Fabrics & More. After a brief look inside, I was scurrying back across the street to plug the parking meter for another 70 minutes of shopping!

Oh, be still my quilting heart! The wide range of modern quilting prints by designers such as Riley Blake, Jane Sassman, Anna Marie Horner, Tula Pink, Lecien, and Amy Butler, as well as Kaffe Fassett, Phillip Jacobs, Jason Yenter,  and more, found me as close to dumbstruck as I have ever been in a quilt shop. If I were to guess, I'd say Sarah's has about 8,000 bolts of fabric.

Carla and I were in wholehearted agreement that we'd be in big trouble if we lived in Lawrence!

Sarah's also carries a large collection of Aboriginal prints. I took pictures of these because I thought my Australian quilting friends would enjoy seeing the selection, including a quilt that showcases these prints.

A wide range of prints.

I spied several dreamtime prints that I purchased in Australia for a bit more than the $10.98 a yard Sarah's is charging.

Once again, Carla and I didn't leave empty-handed. My purchase included fabric and a new skirt pattern.

Linda and Carla at Sarah's Fabric & More, Lawrence

Reluctantly we left Lawrence and headed back down the Interstate, this time not missing the exit for the quilt shop we meant to visit in the first place! Quilting Bits and Pieces is in the small town (pop. 6,200) of Eudora. 

It is a shop with lovely quilting fabric - a lot of 30s reproduction prints and batiks- as well as specializing in embroidery and threads. I was pleased to find the entire range of Cosmo embroidery threads (of Japan), but I was dismayed I didn't have my list with me to know what colors I need. Guess I'll just have to make another trip!

Carla and I posed in front of the quilt made from the latest Kansas Star book, Leaving Baltimore. Quilting Bits and Pieces shop-owners Christina, Eula, and Kaye are also the design team who wrote this book.

Linda and Carla at Quilting Bits and Pieces, Eudora

What a nice day - weather-wise and friend-wise. It was just the outing I needed. I'm refreshed to get back to tending grandchildren. Heaps of thanks, Carla!