In a few weeks my sister Tina and I (and maybe my friend Alana) are going to hop around eastern PA, visiting a big list of shops in 2 days. While we aren't going to complete all of the 2 official hops (a few are just way out of the way unfortantely) we want to get to as many as we can. We had planned on doing this last year but had to cancel at the last minute and we don't want to miss out again.
So here is where we need some help, if any of you reading this happen to live in the eastern PA area.
A route plan has been drafted but we aren't sure if it is really do-able. What we'd love to know from you is if any of these stores aren't worth the stop. Of course we'd love to be able to visit every one but it might just not be possible. Here are the shops on our list.
Poconos Sew and Vac, Stroudsburg
American Ribbon Fabric, Stroudsburg
Allentown Sewing, Allentown
Ladyfingers Studio, Oley
Country Quilterie, Effort
Wooden Bridge Dry Goods, Kutztown
The Quilted Crow, Lehighton
At Piece Quilting, Easton
Granny's Sewing Den, Glenside
Cloth & Bobbin, Narberth
Steve's Sewing Center, King of Prussia
Sew Smart Fabrics, Doylestown
The Quilt Block, Exton
The Round Robin, Ambler
Byrne Sewing Connection, New Britain (I've been here, nice shop)
Any advice you can offer up would be greatly appreciated and if by chance you'll hopping to these stores too, we'd love to possibly meet up. Being able to finally meet in person bloggy friends is the best, next to finding great fabric to add to my ever growing stash that is. Thanks bunches.
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8 Comments:
I'm not a blogger but I do live in the area and while I'm not familiar with all the shops on your list, Ii have been to and can recommend Ladyfingers, the Round Bobbon, Sew Smart, Sauders. Not far away from Sauders is Burkholders fabrics which isn't on your list. It's located on a farm in practically the middle of nowhere but worth the trip. You can a see a virtual tour of their shop at their website, burkfabrics.com. You might find a link to a coupon on their website. If you are in the Doylestown area, Old City Quilts is just across the Bristol, PA bridge in Burlington, NJ and is also a good shop. Hope this was helpful.
I don't know all the shops on your list but...Burkholders was mentioned and would be on the top of my list. Many new and complete lines. I found it while at the quilt show in Lancaster last year. If you are traveling that far towards the middle of the state there is a whole cluster of good shops. You could spend a whole day doing the shops in the Lancaster, Intercourse PA area. If you are staying to the east of the state as I did while on a business trip with my hubby last winter, my list would include Pennington's just across the state line in New Jersey. Very helpful staff and good lighting, popular fabric lines. Only place I didn't find anything I was interested in was Steve's. They had a lot of 'older' novelty prints. Think potatoes, dogs, baseballs, and the type of prints used in I Spy quilts. Nothing current or at least not what I was looking for at the time. A couple of the shops mentioned were very small but I did find a gem or two and took the time to ask them about the personality of the other shops around them. If they are friendly and not afraid of their competition they can tell you what the style of their fellow small businesses is and steer you towards them. Please let us know how your trip goes as we all like to add more shops to our travel lists. Cindy
I believe Granny's Sewing Den is closed now. I've posted to my guild site so hopefully someone can get you more information. Sew Smart, Byrne and Round Bobbin are all near me and great shops!! Actually, I'd say Byrne is the lesser of the three. ;)
Granny's is open and very upset that someone thought they are closed. Very much open, she just said, on the phone today!
The folks at Granny's are very friendly.
Here are the shops I know.
Wooden Bridge & Sauders will probably have the best prices. Sauders also has a sister shop in Intercourse, but the name isn't coming to me. You will see most of the same fabrics so you can skip that, IMHO.
Burkholders will have the best selection & most bolts. The old owner bought back Burkholders and it's good again!
Ladyfingers will have things you don't see everywhere. I picked up some really unique panels, and I'm not a panel fan. The owner is Gail Kessler of Dimples fame.
All 4 of these shops are great...don't miss them!
I haven't visited any of the others you've listed so I can't speak to them.
Have fun...and post about your Tripp, please.
Here are the shops I know.
Wooden Bridge & Sauders will probably have the best prices. Sauders also has a sister shop in Intercourse, but the name isn't coming to me. You will see most of the same fabrics so you can skip that, IMHO.
Burkholders will have the best selection & most bolts. The old owner bought back Burkholders and it's good again!
Ladyfingers will have things you don't see everywhere. I picked up some really unique panels, and I'm not a panel fan. The owner is Gail Kessler of Dimples fame.
All 4 of these shops are great...don't miss them!
I haven't visited any of the others you've listed so I can't speak to them.
Have fun...and post about your Tripp, please.
Thanks everybody! We really appreciate your input.
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