Wasatch Front Shop Hop 2013

The Utah Shop Hop has been going on for a few days now, and ends tomorrow. It's a whole lot of fun!! You get a passport to have stamped at each shop, and at the end if you've visited every store you get a prize and your passport is entered in a drawing for some awesome prizes (the grand prize is a sewing machine!). Each shop was giving out a free pattern (in the past they've just done quilt blocks, so this year was extra special I guess.
I've wanted to participate for years, I worked at Mormon Handicraft for two, and was able to visit a few shops back then, but never the whole thing.

So this year I took 3 days and hit all 13 stores. The first two days with my girls in tow, which ended up being really great! They loved visiting the shops, and they got their own passports and treats and fabric squares at every shop.

On Day 1 we visited:

Village Dry Goods, Brigham City, UT

Village Dry Goods is one of my local quilt shops. It's about 20 minutes north of me in the cutest little town (that is growing far too fast!). They just moved into a new shop right next door to their old one. It's bigger and roomier, and for some reason all of their fabric looks even prettier! It's a great shop, with very friendly ladies. A lot of traditional fabric, but I always find some cute modern prints and great colors here.

My Girlfriend's Quilt Shop, Logan, UT

My Girlfriend's Quilt Shop is another one I go to somewhat regularly, though it's about an hour away. They went all out with their Candy Land theme. They carry popular lines and good basics, you can also do retreats at their shop. Sadly I didn't find anything I just had to buy here, kind of sad for the 2 hours of driving, but I did need that stamp on my passport, and the girls got to make "candy" necklaces with fruit loops and yarn, and they have a great play corner for kiddos so you can do shopping without worrying about them getting into anything.

Quilter's Haven, Bountiful, UT

Quilter's Haven is another I've been visiting more often lately. They definitely know what is popular. It's the only brick and mortar store where I've been able to find Kokka fabrics. We always make sure to have lunch at the Apollo Burger down the street.

My haul for Day 1. I couldn't resist the kit for Quilter's Haven pattern, it'll be a baby size granny squares quilt. Super sweet. And the yellow fabric is backing for a super special group quilt I've got in the works. And my girls insisted upon the little animal wallet pattern, so I guess I'll be making those next week.  Day 1 was LONG with LONG stretches of driving.

Day 2 was down in the Salt Lake Valley, which is about an hour south of where we live, but thankfully the shops were closer together.

Piper's, Sugarhouse, UT

Piper's was once a really awesome shop. I used to visit it often before my hubby joined the Army and we lived down in the valley. But now they are getting ready to move and have very little stock at the moment, but they had some great prices. I hope they'll grow back to their previous awesomeness once they've relocated.

Elaine's Quilt Block, Cottonwood Heights, UT

Elaine's is an awesome, huge store. You can literally find some of everything here.

Mormon Handicraft, Murray, UT

No storefront picture here because they are located in a Deseret Book in a strip mall. Not very exciting. I worked for Mormon Handicraft almost 7 years ago when they were located up at This Is The Place Heritage Park. I was a novice quilter, learning to love fabric, and it took me months to finish a simple quilt top. It was fun to see a couple of ladies I used to work with still working there. I've sure come a long way since then.

Pine Needles, West Jordan, UT

Pine Needles is located at Gardiner Village, they just moved into a new, bigger store as well, and it is AWESOME! I liked them before, but now I absolutely LOVE this shop. I would live there if I could. Luckily it's not too far from my parents house so I have plenty of opportunities to visit. And I hit it twice! The majority of the fat quarters I purchased where from Pine Needles. They carry all of the popular new lines, and have an awesome stock on their color walls. They carry the Lizzy House Pearl Bracelets, they are the only shop I saw the new Sarah Jane and Happy Go Lucky lines in. And they have a little play alcove for kiddos. I had to bribe my girls to leave.

Day 2 haul. Backing from Piper's, FQs from Pine Needles, and mini charms (that the girls picked out for doll blankets) from Elaine's.

On Day 3 my hubby stayed home from work to hang out with the girls, and I headed out on my own. This is so rare! Esp for a whole day. I really enjoyed myself, but it was weird. And very quiet. =)

Corn Wagon Quilts, Springville, UT

I didn't spend much time looking around here, but it was cute, and if it weren't so far away (1 hour 40 min!) I'd go back. Maybe sometime when we are on a road trip.

The Stitching Corner, Provo, UT

The Stitching Corner was a pretty small store I almost didn't find. The owners were friendly, and they had some good basics. It's not one I'd typically visit though.

American Quilting, Orem, UT

American Quilting is in a busy strip mall, but it didn't feel like it once you got inside. They had a really good selection of fabrics.

Broadbents, Lehi, UT

This store was just awesome! Half of it is a quilt shop, the other half....I don't even know how to describe it, maybe gift shop? I didn't end up buying anything, but what tempted me most were some little toy horses. They had a beautiful Victory Garden quilt on display, that teased me with a "Kits Available" sign, but you have to put in a request and then it's cut for you....so much for pricey impulse buys. ;) I still think my couch needs one...

Thimbles & Threads, Draper, UT

I didn't even know this shop existed until the Shop Hop. It is big and has a great selection, and I totally scored in their clearance room! Sarah Jane pink hopscotch fabric for $2.99/yard!!

My last stop was Quilts Etc. But I didn't snap a picture, instead I captured one of my completed passport! Quilts Etc. is another one of those well stocked big shops. I found the new Lori Holt/Bee in My Bonnet line there (did you know there is yardage that is actually 4 different fat quarters/yard? sooo cute!!)
And after Quilt's Etc. I headed back to Pine Needles because I was so close by and couldn't resist. 

 

Day 3 haul. Backings and FQ galore!

And finally a picture of my complete haul.

It toal I got 70 fat quarters!!! 3 or 4 quilt backings, a few cuts of yardage, 1 quilt kit, 2 mini charm stacks, scrap packs, and a huge stack of free patterns. Oh and a cute little Creative Grids ruler with Thimbles & Threads logo on it.
I can't believe how much I bought, but I stayed pretty much in budget. And this, folks, is why I sell my quilts. I like buying fabric, mainly so I can make more quilts, but fabric is just so very pretty.

{I apologize for grammar and typos. I'm too pooped to re-read and fix them right now.}