Voices from the Quilt Hobby

Last weekend was the Central Coast Quilt Shop Run. Eleven stores participated, from Carpinteria to Paso Robles. Had to miss a couple stores though, wasn't up to the 100+ mile drive south, but I'm sure they had a great setup too. And we had to miss going out to Morro Bay for The Cotton Ball, which moved to a new building a couple of years ago.

Our first stop was at Quilting Cousin's, where Shawn and Danielle had a 60's Elvis beach party theme going. Perfect since they are three blocks from the pier in Pismo Beach. Just walk straight down the road they are on. Behind the count was a new quilt, made of a suftboard pattern, and off to the right was the ever interesting quilt using a reverse applique technique to make circles. Very bright, like gumballs. Happy people, full store, lots of good parking. Had a nice stop there.

Second stop took us up to Betty's Fabric in San Luis. Really big store, carries everything you need. But, being San Luis, it has a small parking lot. And Saturday found it totally packed. Loads of people looking at all the bolts and bolts of fabric. Loved the fat quarters hanging formt eh cieling over the registers. Looked like eight pointed stars with Chinese lanterns like planets floating over our heads.

Third place was Sew Fun in Atascadero. Very nice store with both a fabric area and a sewing machine display area. Got a nice Chinese quilt pattern there. Lots of quilts on display. Mom picked up a panel of dinosaurs for her grandson. Another very busy place.

Between the two qult stores is a train shop, where I wanted to stop and get another car for my n-gauge diorama. While there, mom found a special edition Smokey the Bear train. I bought some buildings, a Raritan River boxcar, and two 18-wheeler trailers to park next to one of the buildings that looks like grainery or storage building. Now, if I could get them to fit on the board I'm using. Looks like I might have to make this wider after all.

Fourth was Quilter's Cupboard, a small shop from a converted house with lots of small rooms full of stuff! They went with a hospital theme, warning everyone that the store was under quarantine for "Cotton Fever." Already have that, just a mild case for me, as I also do computers. They have a nice display of Chinese fabric and quilts on the back hallway. Mom got a fabric to make my aunt a shawl. They also had yummie treats.

Fifth stop took us into Paso Robles, which is usually in the 100+F temp range this time of year. However, it was barely into the 70's this time. We stopped at The Quiltery first where they had a Western theme going with all the ladies wearing jeans, white button-up shirts, colorful neckerchiefs and little sheriff's stars! Small store, but the five dollar a year fabric and friendly people more than make up for it.

Sixth took us into the center of Paso Robles right across the street from the park to Wine Country Quilts. It's on the corner of a building that's over 100 years old and still has some of it's original glass and woodwork with hardwood floors. Lots of traditional quilting with patriotic patterns and grapes and vineyard themed quilts everywhere. The large wuilt on the backwall is mahcined quilted, but lovely workmanship! Was busy, and that's a good thing, but we ended up parking halfway down the block to the north for a parking place even though they had reserved places in red zones in front of the store for the weekend. I didn't feel like dealing with any "Imperial entanglements," so we walked. Next door is the most amazing candy store, whose name I don't know off hand.

For lunch, we stopped at a Burger King in Atascadero and we pickedup a set of Star Trek glasses.

After leaving Paso, we called home and got setupfor making hamburgers and hot dogs and had a nice dinner after our long drive home. I'll post pictures later when mom brings her camera home tonight.