Great little quilt shop in Provo UT

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. 

See how great it is when stores arrange quilting cottons in rainbow order? 

I also picked up two pieces of broadcloth (?) for my mother in law, who wants to make some aprons. 

Absolutely love this Ruby Star Society print.  The centers are metallic.  It will make such a cute apron!  

  

The shop has some wonderful novelties, and low-volumes: 

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 

Antebellum Album - a start - and LQSs

Are you joining in with Barbara Brackman's Antebellum Album block of the month?  Her posts are entertaining and educational - and I love the theme of connections between North and South.   

My main fabric inspiration is this small piece of bright, multicolored 'madras' (?) linen David found in Japan.  I also purchased some gorgeous blue linen and some brights, plus plenty of bright white muslin, at Quilted Threads in Henniker NH - a new shop to me and about an hour's drive away.  

It really is a fantastic shop and I was nearly giddy walking all through it - and I took some photos hoping to share them here but.... oooooo.... I was roundly chastised for taking photos.... ooops... embarrassing... but take my word for it, if you are within any driving distance - it's a great shop and I'm glad to add it to my route as a "semi" local quilt shop.  

The shops I frequent regularly are:  the folky classic Quilted Crow in Bolton MA (where I am always sure to find a great selection of repros and have enjoyed classes through the years)  and the quaint and colorful Cobblestone Quilts in Townsend MA (where I am now teaching sashiko classes).   I know a lot of folks shop online now, but I dearly love visiting shops in person and really seeing the fabrics, often picking up bits and pieces to add to my stash, sometimes the unexpected and very rarely shopping "from a line" - I hope all three of these shops are around for a long long time to come. 

Back to Antebellum Album... 

The first block is Wandering Lover - so sweet for Valentine's Day... 

In the sewing room, I've been listening to Anne of Green Gables - performed so delightfully by Rachel McAdams.  Anne would love the name of this month's block - Wandering Lover.  

xo

Cynthia