David and I took a quick trip to from North Carolina to Colorado and Utah, and wow, over the week we saw a lot of family - my step mother, then David's brother and family, his parents, aunties, cousins, my niece and her boyfriend, and our son Tommy and his girlfriend. David's Dad made dinner for 20, on Mother's Day. It was just so wonderful to connect with so many loved ones, most of whom we hadn't seen in two or three years.
I had one "quilty" connection on the trip, in Provo, and thanks to Tommy's girlfriend Camille, who took us to her favorite fabric store, Harmony. It is absolutely my kind of shop! They carry a small and carefully curated selection of fabrics, as well as yarn (Camille is a knitter), dressmaking fabrics, gifts, etc. The place was hopping, friendly, fun, colorful. I met the owner briefly and expressed my appreciation for how the fabric is organized mostly by color, not "line"or designer's collection. She said she never buys all the fabrics from any one particular line. We agreed that being able to browse by color is the way to go!
I was also aware that David hates being in fabric stores (actually, he was really patient), so I made quick work of picking out some fat quarters, just for the "stash" -
That's Tommy and Camille;). I'm going to make Camille some pot holders when I have enough batting scraps again.
For me, the rainbow layout is so conducive to creating interesting, spontaneous combinations. And yet I realize that a quilter who likes to create a cohesive top out of mostly various fabrics from one line or style, would be really frustrated by this approach in a fabric store.
I'm so curious - which way do you prefer?
Back home now, regular life resumes.... and tomorrow, my thoughts will turn back to the quilts for Baby A and Baby B (all is going great with Kaela's pregnancy and with their plans to move to North Carolina this summer - I can't wait!).
xo
Cynthia
I've never made a quilt from one designer ever
ReplyDeleteI think that's a Modern quilter kind of thing
so I much prefer by color
I don't know, Cynthia. Though I often go to the "color wall" in the repro room of my favorite shop over the mountain, there are times I want a certain style of fabric, and I know the designer who does that style--large prints, or lots of stripes, or lovely florals. It is nice to be able to go to the section where that designer's fabric is featured and find just what I was looking for. But I admit that at times when I am sorting through the bolts on the color wall, that are a mix of designers sorted by color, I find unexpected things that I wouldn't have thought of, but are just what I need.
ReplyDeleteSounds like you had a very busy visit. Wish you had family up north in the state so I could have stood on the road and waved as you went by! ;)
I like to pick from rainbow orders but mix and match bolts on my way...since I love the scrappy look--
ReplyDeleteI also like themed set ups: all Asian, all novelties,
etc. My favorite is "themed" . Sounds like you had a great "reunion" trip...hugs, Julierose
Looks and sounds like you had a wonderful getaway! I'm attracted to fabrics that are organized by color but I also like to see fabric lines together. I sort of flit from one to the other in search of fabrics that catch my eye.
ReplyDeleteI had never heard of, or imagined making a quilt with all the patterns from one line, despite shopping fabrics that way as a garment designer. I love the color sorted presentation, and do enjoy as Julie says themed groupings. I think the idea of featuring one designer's new line for a week or so, changing it up, is also a good idea, might catch the eye of a less confident customer, or be of special interest [I am thinking of the Mayflower set I bought , Judie Rothermel for Marcus[.
ReplyDeleteOf course I'd be thrilled with any fabric store and any way of presenting.
I love the fabrics you chose. Esp that green and the celestial.
I don’t think I’ve ever used fabrics from just one line or one designer for a quilt. Mixing fabrics from different collections is part of the fun for me and the results are so much more interesting! I know I’d love that shop!
ReplyDeleteIt's been a long time since I've been in a quilt shop, though I've always preferred seeing all the fabrics in one color family together, so helpful when looking for just the right shade. I think only once I made an entire quilt from one fabric line.
ReplyDeleteSo wonderful to see family after a long hiatus! The quilt shop looks super sweet. I don't use entire of fabric and love this layout as well!!
ReplyDeleteSounds like a wonderful trip - even if it was quick! I'm not picky about how quilt stores display their fabric. That's one of the things I like about visiting a new store - learning their layout and what their fabric "strengths" are. It's more important to me for a store to have good lighting and an atmosphere conducive to browsing!
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear you had a good time while your were here. Sometimes it's just help replenish my need to sew by browsing in a quilt store. I tend to like fabrics displayed by theme and designer. Then when I have found what I want, I go to the rainbow walls to look for accents.
ReplyDeleteGlad you are enjoying being state side again! Twenty plus years a quilter and I've never bought a line of fabric or matched pre-cuts to make a quilt. My greatest thrill is buying random fabric and "someday" finding just that right pattern or other fabrics to turn it into quilty goodness!
ReplyDeleteLoved reading all of the comments, and like some others have said I just wish I could visit a quilt shop no matter how their fabrics are displayed! I haven't really been to one in a few years now, so sad. What a wonderful trip you had! Jan in MA
ReplyDeleteWhen fabric shopping i look for type of fabric ... polka dots, western theme, 1800s reprints, 30s reprints... I have no interest in fabric lines! It can be very frustrating if the shop is arranged by lines!
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful shop. Color coordination is the way to go. I'm afraid the little shop in my town with the crowded two aisles of basically the same type of taupe fabric, just doesn't compare.
ReplyDeleteI much prefer the shops where the fabric is arranged by color. Quite a few shops that I frequent have a lot of their fabric arranged by color, but grouped together by style, such as modern, traditional etc. and that works well too. Sounds like a fantastic trip for you! Long overdue I'm sure.:)
ReplyDeleteI too like color arrangement in a shop, but rarely see that. Looks like a shop that I would love to visit. Thanks for the virtual visit.
ReplyDeleteBy color seems like a great way to organize fabric. One of the shops I go to has blenders by color but all the other fabrics are by designer or company. I'd love to visit the shop in your photos!
ReplyDeleteIt will be so exciting to have those babies close to you when they arrive. I'm sure you'll be a wonderful help to Kaela and her family!
What a lovely shop, I know I would have found many treasures there! The Ruby Star fabric is just darling. A must have!
ReplyDelete*hugs*
Tazzie
:-)