Eastern Iowa Quilt Shops
Quilting Pathways goes on a Fall Shop Hop
Every fall I like to take a one day road trip to visit Quilt Shops that I don’t get to in the normal course of our summer travels. This fall my quilting friend Sue and I headed out for Eastern Iowa, across the Mississippi River from Prairie Du Chien, WI.
Our first stop was a re-visit to one of our favorite shops – The Picket Fence in Prairie Du Chein. Since our last visit they have expanded their quilting fabric area. We then crossed the river and followed US Highway 18 west to Postville, Iowa. Our destination was the Forest Mills Quilt Shop located in rural Postville on Forest Mills Road (also County X16). Located in an attractive country setting and off the beaten path a little bit yet well worth the drive. They specialize in batiks (displayed on an antique bed), wildlife prints, and civil war reproductions. The shop also offers a number of neat gift items, sprinkled throughout the shop. Sue especially enjoyed browsing the wildlife fabrics; she found a panel with an eagle that she’ll use in a quilt she is making for a friend. After spending an hour or so in the shop, it was time to move on.
Our next stop took us to West Union, Iowa to visit the One Block Over shop, 322 East Main Street in West Union (website address www.OneBlockOverQuiltshop.com). The shop carries the full line of Jinny Beyer’s color palette. What a treat. I love Jinny Beyer’s fabrics. A number of years ago I took a color class from Beyers at the AQS Quilt Show in Paducah; it was a fun class and it sure did help me when choosing fabric colors.
Our fourth stop was in New Hampton, Iowa. This town has two quilt shops and they happen to be across the street from one another. Each shop has something unique to offer quilters so if you are in New Hampton make sure to visit both shops. Unfortunately Sue and I had spent so much time at the first three shops on our Shop Hop tour that we arrived in New Hampton near closing time. The shop named Quilters Window (website address www.quilterswindow.com) is located at 101 East Main Street. A few years ago it was a featured shop in Better Homes Quilt Sampler feature.
Across the street at 22 East Main is the Material Magic shop. Owner Pat Vsetecka generously stayed open past closing time so we could tour her shop. Thanks Pat. Next time we visit New Hampton we are going to have to do it earlier in the day so we an see more of these two shops.
Our little Shop Hop tour turned out to cover more miles than we thought – 375 miles. After getting dinner we headed back towards Wisconsin, arriving home around 10 pm. A really long day but a fun trip.
Happy Quilting – Jo