Feed Sacks -Ready to wear

Now and then you run across women whose passion for fabric has woven them with a desire to learn more about a particular designer or color process. Arlene Rosemore is one of these women. She can tell you a story about woven goods that played a very important role for farm families in the Midwest especially during the Great Depression ... feed sacks. Just a snipet of Arlene's feed sack collection lines the walls of her Mother Originals Quilt Shop on Blueberry Lane in Pequot Lakes. During my final stop this past weekend on the Minnesota Shop Hop tour, I stopped in to collect my square and see what's new. I've been reading about feed sacks, and when I saw her stacks, I knew I had found someone who had another story to tell. Arlene's collection numbers over 1,000 sacks, and I learned about the role this plainly decorated cloth played in our country's history. Watch the video, if you'd like to learn more, including information on how to tell a prized authentic sack from a reproduction. About the quilt shop. The fabric and pattern selection is top notch. Because of the lack of space, the buyer, Arlene's daughter Mary, who also runs the shop, is very particular about what goes into the space. Just hope, though, that Arlene is in the store when you stop. Ask her about her game quilts, and her continual head-banging with the Pequot Lake City Council. This gal has got attitude.

Spring cleaning at Grandma's 2010

Derrick reunion 2010 - Deeryard Lake

Quilt Minnesota Shop Hop

 

Two days, 10 quilt shops and now lots of fabric for lots of new projects.

Quilt Minnesota Shop Hop 2010

Whew! Covering 10 quilt shops in northeastern Minnesota in two days was a creative adventure. Certainly there were the old favorites where I've emptied my wallet in the past, but I found some new surprises that will be getting some of my coin in the future.
My first completed shop hop project is six hotpads made from the shop hop themed fabric. I bought the kit at Colorz for Quilts in Brainerd. This shop also has by far the best and cheapest priced fat sale fat quarters, of course the fantastic hand-dyed fabrics, great patterns and one of the best fabric selections I've seen. And, of course, their staff is very helpful.

First stop: Fabrics, Fashions and More in Rush City. RATE THIS STOP - A MUST. This quilt shop has quickly become one of my favorites and is a "must stop" anytime I'm heading to Duluth. I love their Quilters Candy - 1 lb. of fabric for $8. Always good stuff, because frankly, they have a super fabric selection. Besides the shop hop quilt square, participants receive a cloth tape. LOVE IT. Bought some fat quarters.
Although Crystal's Log Cabin Quilts in Grand Marias is not on the hop... Stop anyway, especially if you like northwoods-themed fabric and patterns. The new mosquito-themed fabric is so cute. I bought the Boundary Waters Wilderness Series book. Think I'll make something for my sister's cabin.
After a great couple days funing it with many family, it was off to Breezy Point, but we plotted our way to include many shop hop stops.
Quilt Corner in Beaver Bay -- grumpy staff, store too crowded. RATE THIS -SKIP!
Quilts Around the Corner in Hibbing - it's a little difficult to find the shop, but it is worth the hunt. Relatively new place, with great fabric selection, displays (including the shop hop projects). The energy is wonderful, which I think is due to the college-aged daughter helping her mother with the shop. RATE THIS - A MUST.
Just down the road on the way to Grand Rapids is The Quilting Patch in Nashwauk ... poor fabric selection, but great prices on fat quarters. Overall, RATE THIS - SKIP, especially if you've spent too much time in Hibbing and want to get to ABC Quilting in Grand Rapids. Birthplace of Judy Garland, they have a complete selection on the Wizard of Oz fabrics - but that's not all. Great displays, a wonderful fabric selection, and the shop is located in the hold town hall located in the town square. Yup- I RATE THIS - A MUST!
Then surprise, surprise, who would think of Deer River as having a great quilt shop? Heart to Hand Quilt Shop is in an old church, and you can't miss it because it is painted purple. Super fabric selection, AND the Wizard of Oz fabric is cheaper than in Grand Rapids. I RATE THIS - A MUST.
Quilters Parlor in Jenkins was also a surprise find. Mainly because it is so close to Breezy Point where we spend some time. Great fabric, great staff. We met up with a bus load of quilters from Montevideo. It was fun to see people I haven't seen in years.
BUT, I knew we had to get a jump start because they were headed to Brainerd, and so were we. So I didn't spend much time there, but I will be back!
I have spent a lot of money at Colorz in Brainerd, but I fear they take a backseat to the other quilt shop Country Fabric Quilts. A four-generation quilt shop, the youngest member brings energy, great fabrics and patterns that you may not find anywhere else. I love there package of scrapes that they call Quilters Stew. For fun! Yes, I RATE THIS- A MUST!
We stopped at Quilts on Broadway in Foley. Not much to say except SKIP! However, there are two great meat markets in town with super summer sausage.
Thanks to my hubby for coming with me, and being such a good sport about this. More shop hop adventures are to be had through Aug.15