Quilt Shops and Country Stores

Since some of you wanted to hear more about the quilt shops I visited while on our anniversary trip, I thought this post would be fun!

Well...the googling started before the trip began, and I came up with a list of places I wanted to scout out while we were in the Wytheville and Abingdon areas.

The first shop was in Radford--Sew Biz--so we stopped there before we continued on down the road to our real destination...actually, in my mind this quilt shop was a pretty good destination!

This was my favorite of the three quilt shops we visited on our trip. The storefront was along a side street in Radford and looked to be quite an older building that went forever in the back once we were inside. Lots of new fabric lines were displayed...I had my eye on some of Kate Spain's Terrain--jelly rolls, layer cakes, and charm packs. Oooh, so tempting!

And I also spotted Julie Herman's (Jaybird Quilts) Hugs and Kisses quilt pattern and carried it around with me for a good while before deciding to wait on buying it...mainly because the pattern called for using more than one layer cake, and the shop didn't have Terrain yardage available to purchase.

The only negative was how dark it was inside the shop with only the front windows to bring in light. I felt a little closed in. I love bright lights, and this shop definitely needed some brightness to put the customer in a buying frame of mind.

Money $pent: Zero    Fun Quotient: Lots of Fun

The next stop was Sew What Fabrics & Batiks Etcetera in Wytheville--a vintage home turned into a quilt shop.

Sew What was located along East Main Street across from a country store that was piping Appalachian Mountain style music out into the street...calling customers to come on over! I have to say I was having a grand time hopping from shop to shop to shop...all located on East Main.

Sew What was a crowded little business with an entire front room dedicated to hundreds of bolts of batik fabric. A narrow little hallway led to the main room in back. I really didn't see anything to buy here, although I'm sure they had some great fabric. I did spot some charm packs of modern fabric.

Money $pent: Zero    Fun Quotient: Interesting for one visit

Here's a quick glimpse of Crockett's Country Store directly across from Sew What Fabrics:

I loved the navy milk cans on the front steps...this reminded me that I have two milk cans that need refurbishing and setting out. This shop specializes in primitive decor, and I enjoyed looking around at everything country--which is definitely my style!

Money $pent: Zero    Fun Quotient: Lots of Fun

Here's the last quilt shop we visited, and it's located in Abingdon. Tom actually scouted out this one, and according to the reviewers online it seemed like a nice shop...

In this shop I stood in one spot and just looked around as I could tell they carried mostly older fabrics.

When I asked about pre-cuts, the older lady at the counter (maybe Jeannine herself) didn't seem to understand what I meant. Then when I described them as layer cakes and jelly rolls, she immediately said they didn't carry them...as if that wouldn't be the fabric of choice for traditional quilters. Okay...

Money $pent: Zero    Fun Quotient: None, sorry

Moving on...next is Big Walker Mountain Country Store located at the top of a long-winding road up the mountain.

This was one of those touristy type places good for a rest stop. This wasn't anything like Crockett's Country Store...but who knew until we got there? It was a good try, plus the first photo I posted of the mountains on the anniversary post was taken here. Great scenery overlook.

Money $pent: Zero    Fun Quotient: Interesting

Let's go to the local yarn shop located in the heart of Abingdon called A Likely Yarn.

I loved the flowers all around this yarn shop as much as the yarn inside! This shop was adorable and carried lots of yarn choices. Their Encore yarn was on sale for the month of August and came with a free scarf pattern. Tempting, and I carried a skein around with me as I browsed.

Money $pent: Zero    Fun Quotient: Lots of fun!

The last adventure I'll share is another country store--Parks Mill Barbecue--waaay out in the country! In fact, we wondered how a business could survive out on a country road in the middle of nowhere!

After tasting their barbecue we now know why they have a lot of business...folks surely drive out there just to order the barbecue (and the hot sauce!), baked beans, potato salad, and banana pudding. I took the photo below standing near the steps of the General Store photo above and looking out towards the country road and entrance to Parks Mill. The flowers surrounding the large parking area were well kept and beautiful, and the quiet road and scenery leading into the restaurant very relaxing.
Money $pent: $20 for food only    Fun Quotient: Delicious and Enjoyable

And last...a picture of a patient husband waiting for his wife...

Thanks for coming along with us to some quilt shops and country stores on our trip! I hope you enjoyed it as much as we did!

Do you think Tom was happy with the Zero Money I $pent? 

Yes, I think so!

~Deb

Comments

[Chris]

LOL...cute post Deb..love the money spent part! :) I would have loved to brouse the shops with you. Such self control to NOT buy any Kate Spain! :)

[Tammy]

I was wondering when I started reading how did Tom do.Yes very patient.Then again he did get to go fishing!

Very good to not spend any money!

[Bet]

I am shocked that you didn't buy anything! Looks like a fun time.

[Dorothy]

Oh, Deb, the last two posts made me yearn for the mountains and the upcoming fall season! What a wonderful time away for your anniversary & I'm so proud of you for taking that bike ride with your hubby! :-) I miss you & yearn to sit somewhere and talk for hours...maybe in September. Sigh...a girl can dream, can't she?! I love and miss you.

[Susan]

This was cute! I loved seeing all the stores you went to, and I'm glad to know someone who just likes to look around even if you're not necessarily buying anything. Sounds like you both got to do some of your favorite things!

[Lisa Spivey]

Thank you for sharing your trip with us! I especially liked that you noted the Money Spent/Fun Quotient and that one can have a fun time without spending a lot money. The places you visited looked lovely. Glad ya'll had a great trip!