Searching for the Best Sewing Stores
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Friends, welcome Bestie McBesterson as our On the Road Contributor. She and her husband are homeless and currently live full time in an RV ~ traveling around the country and having all sorts of adventures.
I have imposed upon Bestie and asked her to share with us some of the sewing and crafting stores that she encounters around the country. Unique places that you might not know about. Many may not even have a website (gasp), but Bestie will be giving us a first-hand encounter of what she finds.
Take it away, Bestie…
It is such a pleasure to be invited to share a little of my life with The Seasoned Homemaker’s readers. I am honored to be Leslie’s Bestie. We are kindred spirits, two adults who still have a strong desire to constantly be learning new things. We have often commented that our interests are so many and so varied that there are not enough days to accomplish all that we would love to do and learn. Our friendship bonds are deep and go back many many years.
The reason for my post today is to share with you a little of the new journey that Mr. Bestie and I are undertaking. We recently sold our dream home. Yes, the one with the 900 sq. ft. sewing studio (I know ~ what was I thinking). Instead we are enjoying life to its fullest, living full time in an RV, and traveling around the USA.
As you all know, a Fabriholic still needs to see and touch fabric so, I will be sharing the unique shops (fabric and otherwise) that I discover in small town America. I truly hope you enjoy going along on my journey and hopefully you will enjoy visiting some of the shops I discover and sharing your “secret shops” with me.
First Stop: Franklin, NC
The last week of April Mr. Bestie and I happened upon Franklin, North Carolina. It is a charming community in the mountains of North Carolina. Franklin has a quaint historic downtown with unique shops and phenomenal food. There are four “must see” shops for those of us who love color, fabric, quilts, and clothing construction.
Shop #1 – Art Room
My first stop was the Art Room. I had to go inside because of the gorgeous linen tunic in the window. I mean, really, who doesn’t love a linen tunic! Add lace and voila, it was a love match.
At the Art Room they teach a variety of classes in all art forms and customizing the linen shirt with lace on the cuffs, in the side seams, and the top of the back is a current class. Oh, how I would love to take that class. There were even hats and art to wear ~ what’s not to love.
Shop #2 – Silver Threads and Golden Needles
Next door to the Art Room was Silver Threads and Golden Needles. When I walked through the door of the store it took my breath away – literally. It was truly the most beautiful yarn store I have ever been in. It was rich with color in exquisite displays. The garments on display were gorgeous and all made at the store. It was the most inspiring atmosphere. The women who worked at the store could not have been any nicer. I was ready to sit in their studio and learn to knit. Of course, I also zeroed in on their massive button selection.
{Just a little side note. Mr. Bestie is such a trooper (and the best husband in the world). That is him patiently sitting on the bench while I visited these stores. He was rewarded at the café across the street with an incredibly delicious meal. Remember this, ladies when you are dragging your fella’ around to sewing stores. }
Store #3 – Deb’s Cats and Quilts
From the historic downtown stores we headed to Deb’s Cats and Quilts. OK, full disclosure, I am not a cat person. I wasn’t sure what to think of this store but curiosity made me enter. Oh my, I am so glad I went. It was a Fabriholic’s dream. Another full disclosure, I am drawn to modern quilts like a moth to light but, I can and do appreciate ALL quilting disciplines. This store began as a small shop and has grown and grown; it has multiple levels and rooms. I loved it. The displays were beautiful.
There was one level dedicated to civil war era fabrics and quilts. Gorgeous (that word might get used a lot). The spinning wheel, the antique bed, the crates; it was so beautifully appointed that it looked like a museum.
I am a South Texas girl so whenever I have the opportunity to actually touch gorgeous wool and flannel it makes me so happy – we had neither in South Texas. This shop has it all. There are rooms for batiks, rooms with bright florals, rooms with juvenile prints. Well, you get the idea. Not to be forgotten, lots of fabric with cats.
Store #4 – A Stitch in Time
Our next stop was A Stitch in Time. They “had me” at the entrance. You may have stores that go the extra mile by having plants and a wreath at the entrance, but the stores I frequented in Texas surely did not. I walked in and was greeted by the sweetest young employee who graciously welcomed me as if I was special.
I bee-lined it to a fabulous quilt that was draped across the long arm – a work in progress. As I examined it and raved on and on about it she silently stood by and beamed. It was then that I realized who had made this gorgeous quilt. I wish I could remember all the details of the quilt but alas, I don’t.
I do know that she used the Accuquilt to cut all of the pieces that are appliquéd on the top. I know Leslie has blogged many times about how much she loves her Accuquilt and after seeing this quilt I left wanting one for my sewing-room-of-the-future. I was drawn to the Amy Butler display, the wool projects, and the quilts on display. I loved this store.
Thankfully, there was a Polaris (man toys) store close by for Mr. Bestie to visit while I was in a Stitch in Time.
Wouldn’t you love to live in a small town with two such unique quilt shops? Whatever your style, whatever fabric you want, it can be found in Franklin. I also have to say everyone was friendly, nice, and willing to let me take photos.
So much fabric ….. so little time! We are off to our next destination. I am typing this looking out from my RV window at water in every direction ~ does it get any better than this? We are on a two hour ferry ride in our RV to Ocracoke Island, NC.
So long from the road,
