When my daughter Kalissa and I were driving home from my doctor’s appointments on Tuesday, I happened to see some construction. I took a double look, and I thought it said Quilt on the building next to the building that was being constructed. Hmm. I’ve driven on this road LOTS and never noticed a quilt shop. Hmm. I said something to Kalissa and she said she didn’t care if I stopped…so I did.
Then I was a little confused by the name…It said Quilt Studio. Does that mean retreat?? Does that mean someone who longarms or was it a quilt shop?? Hmm. I was going to find out.
Oh my. It was a quilt shop…and a very nice one at that. I snapped some pictures. Just a reminder: Kalissa was with me, and she doesn’t quilt. I tried to be quick. I could have spent much more time in the shop.
I was greeted as I came in. I asked if I could take photos and was told yes…then the owner, Dawn, who was working at the longarm came and greeted me. What a cheerful place!!
Kalissa was all over the fabric. She wanted a quilt make from this fabric.
I loved the stripes and polka dots. What happy fabric!!
It’s been a long time since I’ve been in a quilt shop, so it was so fun to see all the bright colored fabrics.
Kalissa found the Thomas the Train fabric…
Every time I’d turn, she’d say, “Mom, look at this…”
More polka dots. Oh, I want to someday make a quilt with all polka dot prints. I have started a basket with them already. I was tempted to add these to the basket.
I have yet to see Tilda fabric in person…I finally saw some.
I need to make a quilt for Anders for preschool, so Kalissa was looking for that.
Oh…Lori Holt fabric. Now I know where to get some if I ever get a quilt from her made!! I have some fabric already and it’s on my list to make one.
They had lots of Lori Holt goodies, including some of her chunky thread.
…and cross stitch cards.
I got a chance to talk to Dawn, and she explained that the new construction I noticed was hers. She is building a place for retreats and classes. The current spot she has for that will likely become a retail area for cross-stitch. AHH!!! I was so excited. How fun.
But back to the tour. Kalissa loved the rainbow fabric.
What pretty solids. They go so well together!!
Now add checks to the strips and polka dots…oh my.
The store is VERY clean and organized. They had so many do-dads that I forgot to take pictures of. There were zippers, cute labels, charms…oh so many cute things. Kalissa was very happy to think of all the things she thought I should buy.
I really liked this quilt…the pattern is free with the purchase of a jelly roll.
Dawn assured me that she has a nice online presence as well. You can find the shop HERE.
The shop’s address is Urbana…but it’s not in town. It is on I-380 at the Independence exit. The building looks like a red barn…so cute!! I can’t see the sign the best from the interstate. I was so surprised when Dawn said they had been there for two years!! I have driven on that road numerous times going to my doctor appointments, and never noticed. You can bet I’ll be stopping again. I’m so sorry I didn’t get more pictures. The shop is so cute…and the staff was great!
There are two similar patterns you might like. One is Scrappy Spirals by Lori Dickman. It’s free, and she has a YouTube video about it. The other is in the Nickel Quilts book by Pat Spaeth. I think it’s called stretchy autumn stars. They both use 5” squares and 1 or 2 snowballed corners. It’s a great way to use scraps.
That looks like a nice shop! It would be really fun to visit if I were close enough. It’s always good to have a nice shop to stop at on a trip!
Oh that looks like a great quilt shop! How fun that you found it and that non-quilter daughter has a good eye for what you should buy! You didn’t mention whether or not you bought anything but hopefully you will tell us if you did.
I think I saw this last year when my husband and I were in Iowa en route to your frame shop in Decorah — we’ll need to stop next time we’re in the area. Looks like FUN!!!
This is a great shop. The owner and those who work there are really nice. I’m super excited to hear about the cross stitch. She carries some great fabric lines also.
If you liked the quilt that had the free pattern with purchase of a jelly roll, Bonnie Hunter has a similar one in her Free Patterns on her site called Smokey Mountain Stars.
I have recently stopped at that shop, too. I didn’t know it was there until Leslie at Quilter’s Window in New Hampton asked if I had ever stopped. I have been traveling 380 back and forth from Minnesota to Lisbon for 30+ years. It is tucked in there and not super visible from the highway. Thanks for sharing the pictures you took. She has such great fabric lines. I intend to make it a regular stop on my way by in the future. Good to hear she will carry cross stitch as I am big into that also. I so enjoy your blog, Jo. I’ll be praying for you as you receive your treatment this week and that you will do well with it. Take care.
One more thing… Just wondering if you have ever been to The Woolen Needle in Williamsburg? It is about 30 minutes west of Iowa City off I 80. Worth a trip if you feel up to it and want a short trip. One other shop that I enjoy is called The Cotton Mill in West Branch just off I 80. That is about 20 minutes east of Iowa City. Again, wishing you peace and strength this week.
How fun to discover a new quilt shop! Hugs,
Isn’t it great to find another quilt shop? and that it might become a cross stitch shop too!
I found another quilt shop 30 minutes from me that carries so much and I’m excited to go back!
Love and prayers
Prairie Quilt Studio is one of my favorite places to stop on the way to Iowa City or my daughter’s in Marion. I’m just starting my cross stitch journey so this is good news that part of her new retail space will be for that. I resisted for a long time but now I’m hooked. Dawn is very kind and welcoming. She does a beautiful job longarming my quilts. I have two there and hope to drop off a third one later this week. Always a fun stop and so much to see! Good luck, Jo, with all your upcoming medical treatments and appointments. I’ll be praying for you and your treatment team.
What a wonderful new shop, I added them to my FB so I can follow her. I love using polka dots or stripes for my binding. I have seen some of Tulas fabrics but not much of Lori Holt stuff. I hope you bought a few things and will share with us. Kalissa has a good eye for spotting fun items. Prays for you to have a easy week with treatments. Enjoy your day with your sister.