All Mid Atlantic Shop Hop

Donna has made journal books, one for each region of the All Mid-Atlantic Shop Hop. Each shop in the region has one more pages where we ask the shop workers and our fellow shoppers to sign. Then we photogrsph what we bought at the shop with their page.

We also write our thoughts about the shop, what fabrics they carried, the temperature, any stories about getting there, etc. 

There are 96 shops in six states- Delaware, New Jersey, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia- and after traveling the first two weekends in July we had visited 28 shops.

I was asked “what my three favorite shops are”…. and gosh, that is hard. There are so many to favorite-some simply because of the ambiance/decor, some because of the people, some for their fabric lines they carry and others for the notions/patterns/books. Sorta of like fabric, they all have a time, place and purpose. There are very few fabrics I haven’t liked and even fewer quilt shops I wouldn’t want to visit again. So I’m going to say my three favorite shops are the next three I’m going to visit. The surprise of seeing the way they display their fabrics or the samples they have available, what new gadget or idea they have. It makes each new shop a mini adventure because I don’t know what magic is behind the door. I do know that each shop has someone who loves fabric as much as I do, so if nothing else, a great conversation is about to happen.

Visit Facebook to read more about the hop! Click the link below.

july 6, 2024 - For the next two months Mom and I will be traveling the All Mid-Atlantic Shop Hop. This weekend we tackeled the North East Region with 7 shops today and 5 more tomorrow. Next weekend we plan to finish up the last 3 shops. With some shops not having Sunday hours there was no way we getting to all of them in two days. Three of our favorites today were:  Seamless Sewing Arts Ltd, Needles and Bolts, and Early Girl Quilt Company. From the robot quilts to the chicken quilt, inspiration has been everywhere. Everyone has been super nice and we appreciate everyone who has signed Mom’s journal that she is making special for each region. Even Wrangler at Olde City Quilts stamped his paw in the journal. You can see some of the journal pages with the purchases at that shop. Air conditioning was most appreciated today as the high temperature got to 101! Quilting is definitely an inside activity. After the last shop of the day we were fairly close to Atlantic City so we took a drive there and got a hotel in Egg Harbour.  After dinner we drove through Atlantic City, found a place to park and I was able to put my toes in the ocean. For being such a hot day that water was pretty cold. Some things we learned for the next outing, allow more time in the shops. 30 minutes is a little to tight of a schedule. Pack a lunch. There wasn’t time to stop for lunch if we were going to do the 7 planned for the day. Tomorrow will head back home and the 5 for tomorrow should get done if traffic continues to cooperate. The only problem I have is that I’m getting inspired by what we’re seeing I want to stay home and quilt but then I can’t go to the other shops.

July 7, 2024 - 462 miles, 101 degrees, 11 quilt shops, 3 states, 2 days, 1 stop for gas. Well, we only made it four of the five shops today. Didn’t plan for all the people leaving the beach area. Homesewn in Media, PA has a wonderful and well curated selection of fabrics. Plus they have the cutest crochet animal kits. Hayes Sewing Co is a well run shop. Mr. Hays has been selling Bernina’s for 59 years. Their daughters were so friendly and helpful. Sew What Inc. had water in the refrigerator for hoppers. A very welcome treat given the temperature was back up to 97 today. They have a lot of sale fabric that is just 6.99/yd. Last but not least, The Blue Hen shop in Newark, DE., has a shop that just keeps on going. A huge classroom and blue hens scattered around the shop. We then came home via Lancaster. Now we just have to wash all the fabrics before we can go out again. Mom’s journal was popular with shop owners and fellow hoopers. We’re having customers sign the book and a couple of ladies have signed at least twice now, at different shops. Next weekend we’ll be tackling a new region. The day job is necessary to be able to do this shop hop, just wish the weekends were longer for these two months. 

After work I picked Mom up and we added another sticker to our Shop Hop. Mom has been busy working on her journals. She has got all the regions constructed. She’ll be working on them as we hit the road again this weekend. Half Moon Handwerks is our home shop and the owner Deb works hard to make the shopping experience a fun one. She has a great photo opportunity and is trying to see how many different states people are from. Her shop is right off the New Cumberland, PA exit on 

I-83. Just avoid rush hour or you’ll be in bumper to bumper traffic! #Amash