It is quite a drive from the city so we hit the road early, heading for Comeauville and Panier d’Art, about 40 minutes or so from Digby. However, a little bird set us straight (thank you, Peggy – you rock!) and told us to head for Foodland first. Yes, Foodland! Well, not exactly Foodland but to the other half of the same building, to Clarence’s Shopping Mart at 10029 Hwy #1 in Clare – just a few minutes past Panier d’Art. With everything from Christmas decor, clothes and shoes, the store has a lot to offer, but in the far left corner – paydirt! There is a lovely little fabric shop, offering quilting cottons, a wall of notions and craft supplies. There is a good mix of basic blenders, flannels and current fabric lines at very reasonable prices. The staff are helpful and generous with the fabric cuts – additional incentive to pick up some fabric for the stash.

Just a short hop down the road is Panier d’Art, at 464 Hwy 1 in Saulnierville. You’ll find the store in the back through the basement door. You’re immediately surrounded with fabric bolts with a large section for flannels, another for new fabrics and yet another for their patterns and remaining fabric lines. They have a room full of sewing machines and equipment that also houses over 500 bolts of sale fabrics for $9.99 or less. Classroom space is in a separate building. Owner Anne Comeau and her staff were great – in fact, one of us is headed back there soon to pick up a new sewing machine!

Then off to Quilts by the Bay, near Digby. Owner Debra Howard’s large shop is filled with lovely fabrics, artfully arranged with quilts on display, a gallery of quilt patterns, lots of thread to choose from, and ready made quilts destined for buyers far and wide. It was a busy place – the longarm was stitching away, fabric cuts being prepared for the next Friday Frenzy and one quilter in particular (yes, me!) was busy pulling bolts trying to find just the right one.

With time still to spare, and after a quick lunch, we headed back to Granville Ferry to visit The Wooden Spool. This was a first visit to Granville Ferry but it was easy to find, driving along Hwy 1 through Annapolis Royal to 4830 Hwy 1. The shop has been open for about three years. It’s a lovely shop, bright and airy, with a good mix of traditional and contemporary fabrics. There are lots of books on display and a wide variety of fabric panels.

They even carry spray bottles of I Hate Quilting, rumoured to be better than Best Press (…we shall see…)

We headed home happy, with some new fabric treasures and a new appreciation for what this province has to offer in quilt shops. If you haven’t explored the Fundy shore recently, these four shops – and the great scenery – make it worth the trip.

Weather permitting, we hope to explore more in the coming months. If you are heading out and happen to encounter a quilt shop new to you, let us know and take a photo or two, so we can spread the word. On line shopping is here to stay but it is always a treat to get out and actually see and feel the fabric you’re buying. Till next trip..

Colleen and Jan

Many of you have already headed out to shop for your summer projects – perhaps for the items you’ll be selling at our Quilt Show boutique. Nearby shops like The Woolworks, Lynn’s Quilting Studio and Avonport are on everyone’s lists and rightly so – we rely on them!

For those who choose to wander further to do a bit more fabric shopping during this great weather, there are other lovely shops to be found locally, here in the Maritimes. With that in mind, my friend Jan and I recently headed out on a day trip to explore and/or revisit shops within a few hours of home. We had hoped to do this in 2020, but well, we all know why that didn’t happen…

We decided to head to New Brunswick for this first shop hop trip. First stop was The Fabric Cupboard in Moncton. What a treat – a friendly shop owner surrounded by wall to wall beautiful fabrics with a colourful display of quilts on an upstairs railing. We found a wonderful selection of fabric lines, precuts and lots of notions in a bright friendly atmosphere. If you visit, don’t forget to ask where the sale fabrics are – they were well priced and there was a nice selection.

Our second stop was The Covered Bridge Quiltery in Riverview. Quite the surprise! We headed to the original store, which had been fairly small with an emphasis on sewing machines. The Quiltery now has a new owner and a new storefront, just across the street from the original store. We found a store 5 or 6 times larger than the other location, filled with fabric and notions. There is also a fabulous classroom with adjustable, mechanized sewing tables. Long arm quilting is done on site with local drop offs but also for quilts mailed to them. Icing on the cake is that the Quiltery has an on line shop. Check it out here.

Last stop in New Brunswick was a visit to Spruce It Up Quilting in Port Elgin – Jan has been a frequent visitor (and teacher) there, but it was my first visit to the store. Though a bit out of the way (unless you’re headed to PEI), the shop is well worth the detour. The staff were friendly and helpful, with lots of fabrics to choose from. They are known for their one metre fabric bundles – thoughtfully chosen, with coordinating fabrics in the store and a web site where you can also purchase them. The owner has beautiful examples of her wool applique hanging in the shop and lots of hand-dyed wool fabric on site.

We had planned to stop in Amherst but sadly the two shops there – Mrs. Pugsley’s Emporium and Sunrise Trail Quiltery – have very limited opening schedules. Be sure to check before you plan a visit.

Our last stop was Atlantic Fabrics in Truro. This store has apparently become the provincial clearing house for Atlantic Fabrics – discontinued fabrics from other stores end up here at discounted prices. The staff were exceptionally helpful and the selection was great. The fabrics felt new and fresh. The Discount Section offers even better prices.

We had a busy but wonderful day going from shop to shop. Admittedly, the cost of gas for the day competed with the amount we spent on fabric, but we are already planning the next shop hop. Maybe we will just need to squeeze more people into the car to share fuel costs!

So, will you be hitting the road this summer or fall? Going to a Maritime quilt shop that many of us don’t often get to visit? Send us a photo and let us know what you found.

Colleen and Jan

Yes, we had a fabric sale!

Our March meeting was the last of our “winter” meetings when we meet in the afternoon, on April 6 we will return to evening meetings, the hall opens at 6:30 and the meeting starts at 7 pm. At the April meeting Marilyn V and Krista will regale us with the latest and greatest quilting tools and gadgets. Bring a notepad and pen, you will want to make a list of your favourites!

We had a couple of signup sheets going around at the meeting, we need help with the Extraordinary Quilter (the “EQ”) Tea and our annual Cuddle Quilt Day. Did you buy a ticket for the EQ Tea? Every member who buys a ticket to come to the tea is ALSO expected to donate/help out with food! Please contact Linda Thistle-Kenney at lindathristlekenney@gmail.com and sign up to bring sandwiches or sweets. If you bought a ticket you are obligated to help!!

Christine is also looking for help on Cuddle Quilt Day, March 28, please email her at dogonit@live.com Many hands make light work! We have committed to helping out in our local communities (primarily Lunenburg County) with lap quilts, kids quilts, baby quilts and wheelchair quilts. I can’t tell you how much these donations of quilts mean to those who receive the quilts. Get involved, get to know your members of our Guild and see what it feels like to really accomplish something for someone else! Come and help for the day or for a few hours, bring a lunch, tea and coffee and sweets will be provided.

In our last newsletter, you will find the entry forms for our quilt show in September. Remember, all quilts are hung! We want beginner quilts, we want your “first” quilt, you can enter 3 quilts! If your quilt isn’t finished, you just have it pieced and not quilted that is ok. Submit a picture of the top. Cathy and her committee need pictures to get an idea of where they will hang your quilt, they need to see the colours. All sizes of quilts, wallhangings etc can be entered. Let’s make this our best quilt show ever! Any questions? Contact Annette at aandbf@eastlink.ca or Leigh at leigh.ma@bellaliant.net

Have you ever wondered what we do at Slow Quilting? Wondered if you should come? Next date is Monday March 23, 2-4pm at the Biscuit Eater Cafe, 16 Orchard St., Mahone Bay. You don’t have to register or sign up just show up! Well here are a few pictures. Come to work, chat, enjoy a cup of tea!

Further to our program last month and the question "should you pre-wash your new fabric or not" I came across this terrific post by Becky Goldsmith (thanks to  my friend Jan at Be*mused), who with her partner, Linda Jenkins, owns Piece O' Cake Designs. Take the time to read her post and the comments which follow. There are some interesting thoughts and suggestions.

Becky also has some great videos for hand applique techniques here. Be sure and visit her show and tell page for pictures of quilts made from the Piece O' Cake patterns.

And don't forget to check out our own "Tips and Tricks" section – the link is to the right. More will be added soon!