A guest post from Kayla-
I’ve been busy editing patterns for Country Threads and I caught a quilting bug. With my Internet down from Monday’s derecho (my home is fine- just Internet was our only problem), I did all I could on pattern editing and then had nothing to do but quilt!
I designed a banner for my classroom door. We have to cover our window for lockdown drills so I thought a little quilt would be just right.
I have a lot of fabric, but it is all themed (70’s floral, 80’s calico, 30’s reproduction, pink stripe shirts) and not very useful for paper piecing. Lucky me, that meant I had to go shopping!
I am within 30 minutes of three quilt shop options and I chose to go north to Manchester. I’m so glad I did! The Quiltmaker’s Shoppe was the perfect choice for a wide selection of every color in small scale prints and tonals.
I met the new owner, Leanne Fangman, who was very kind and helpful. She has stocked a great variety of current fabrics and has a wonderful stock of solids, tonals, and small prints organized by color. It was perfect for the project I had in mind!
The shop greets you with a baby flannel and novelty print section.
In hindsight, I’m realizing I did a bad job photographing the shop. Mom always does a nice job photographing samples (this shop has a lot!) but I was too focused on the fabric.
Then there are several sections of current fabric lines. I’m always a sucker for Moda! One of my jobs in high school was to fold fat quarters at a quilt shop and I LOVED it.
A fabulous selection of 30’s prints and Lori Holt.
And, most useful for me, small prints and tonals sorted by color. You’ll notice she also has many fat quarters to choose from. This is my preferred cut.
At the checkout, I found these chain piece cutters and couldn’t resist.
Manchester makes a nice little getaway. It is a much smaller town than my other two quilt shop options (Dubuque and Cedar Rapids) but still has amenities that I could quickly run errands while on my little evening away without trudging through traffic.
Here’s what I’m working on:
I love it so far! Since taking this picture I am to the step of tearing off all of the paper. I do NOT love that part. I wish I had a little nephew “twilter” to do that part for me!
Love the pattern
At my school, we were told not to cover the windows- that alerted anyone with mayhem on their minds that that room held people- isn’t it awful that we have to think of those things?
What a great looking shop and a darling door hanging in process!!! Thanks for sharing, Kayla. Glad to hear you guys sustained no damage in the storm!
What a great little quilt that is for the door in a school! Please be sure to show us the finished quilt. You did such a great job of choosing fabrics.
That is my favorite quilt shop, so glad someone bought it instead of going out of business. Definitely worth the visit. I haven’t taken the paper piecing plunge but I sure love seeing it. Love your creativity. Be safe and wish you well with the school year. From Dubuque.
Great job Kayla!!! I also love paper piecing…it always comes out perfect.
Your computer skills are also top notch!!! Thanks for all of your hard work helping us at Country Threads.
Connie
Kayla I definitely want to see that little quilt. What you showed has my “I want that pattern” racing through my head. It would be worth the paper piecing to make it right. Little “twilters ” do come in handy. Thankfully I have two grands willing to help.
Love this little quilt! You should publish the pattern for others – I am well aware you know how to do that! Thanks for your expert help!
Kayla, thanks for the shop visit. We all miss summer traveling and shop hopping. Darling school quilt. Reminds me to check out school supply sales. Always need a fresh box of crayons. Thanks for sharing your tech talents with your Mom and Country Threads.
Kayla, thank you for all your mad computer skills for Country Threads and Jo’s Country Junction. I love the cute pattern that you are paper piecing, perfect for a classroom. I think I need to check out this shop the next time I’m in Iowa, the thread cutter is a needed item.
Kayla, that’s adorable! Great fabric choices!
Thank you for the quilt shop hop. Always nice to see different shops and how they display things. And your wallhanging… yes! Please share the finished product with us.
Very beautiful post
About 8 years ago, we were told to cover all of the classroom windows. Then last year we were told to uncover the windows. Reason being if the police have to come in they need to see what’s happening in the classrooms. The students and teacher are all huddle in a corner of the room that you can’t see from the window. We need to keep our babies safe!
In Oregon we are starting off the school year with online learning,
That’s really cute, Kayla! Loved the comment about a little nephew “twilter”, too! Hee hee!
Thank you for the tour, looks like a great quilt shop! Love your project!
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