Quilt Shop and Winter Wonderland
January 6, 2010|Comments (15)
The countryside whispered sweet nothings to us from under a liberal dusting of snow and big skies worthy of being featured behind The Duke astride a golden palomino. We took the back roads which wound through the cattle-dotted hills and crossed streams busily tripping over fallen logs to the quilt shop in the historic Wharf District of Staunton, Virginia.
With picturesque and preserved turn-of-the-century warehouses and train depot which have since become antique stores, restaurants, and the infamous Jolly Roger’s Haggle Shop. Tucked alongside two cheerful cabooses and the railroad tracks sits the serious sewer/quilter mecca, Rachel’s Quilt Patch. With a cobblestone car park facing the street, one can easily imagine mule carts hauling coal & iron to and the bustling train station packed with Victorian travelers. Having a quilting shop in this particular location is not only charming but fitting. Such a fabric-crafting paradise would be out of place in a modern shopping mall but it simply makes sense to see it nestled in the midst of a 19th century time-warp.
Linda, our gracious hostess, led the way up the ramp and through the doors of Rachel’s Quilt Patch. Colorful quilts graced the exposed rafters of the building. The walls were lined with fabric-laden shelves matching the wide-planked wooden floors. Linda, Katy, and I quickly divided and began buzzing about like honey bees in a field of wildflowers.
There were many contented sighs, delighted gasps, and exclamations like “Oh my, the colors!” or “I think this is my favorite!” which were not directed toward anyone in particular. Perhaps only Katy was able to stay focused and that is only because she met Patches, the resident shop cat, who quickly claimed Katy. Katy, in turn, declared Patches her favorite aspect of the quilt shop and that is really saying something since we were surrounded by a smörgåsbord of creativity.
Meanwhile, Linda and I found a darling handmade zippered bag and immediately decided that Katy needed a keepsake to remember the trip. What better souvenir than a winsome floral fabric pouch?
We drove back to Bridgewater from Staunton as the sun slipped beneath the hills and so ended our second day of the trip.
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I don’t remember ever going to Staunton quite honestly but I love the look of it. Oh, and to peruse all those fabrics. What a great day. Thanks for sharing with us. Please drive safe!
-Drew
I love Patches. And I love my wee bag. And I love you, Lacy. I’m so honored to have been invited on this trip with you!
I love quilts. They remind me of my beloved grandmother Ola Harris. She and a group of women in Mineral, Illinois would send quilts that they had made (or quilted) to the soldiers serving in WWII. She truly was an inspiration to me in my formative years.
Tia Julie — I sure wish that I could have known Grandma Ola and I actually think about that more than you would ever guess. But then… perhaps I do know her because she must live on in you. How else could you be so wonderful?
Beautiful houses, great trip and gorgeous quilts!
Cheers,
Rosa
Just gorgeous! I forget what a young country we are here in Australia. There are very very few historic buildings let alone whole towns. Can’t imagine a warmer, cuddlier place to be on a winter’s day then in an amazing quilt shop. Such a sweet little bag.Enjoy!!
Rosa & Fay: Thank you!! The pictures really don’t do the quilts justice because they are absolutely incredible. When I look at them and picture the process of making them… I get chills. From picking out the fabrics, cutting out the pieces, sewing the pieces together, creating a backing, selecting the insert, quilting it all together and sewing on the binding — months!
Staunton is one of my favorite places. Each of the buildings have so much personality and have their own stories, ghosts, and secrets. It’s fun to visit such a place and just let your imagination run wild.
If you’re feeling like a little drive, check out Orchardside Yarns in Raphine. Very friendly ladies & beautiful yarns!
Laurie — I adore Raphine!! Goodness, I haven’t been there since I was a little girl. I wonder if we’ll have time. I’ve been struggling with my itinerary. Leave it to me to get confused looking at my very own plan. *sigh* *grin* Thank you for the idea… now to plot!
Staunton is beautiful! I need to pay a longer visit one day soon.
And now I need to think of cool stuff to do here with you guys.
Jennifer — We are so excited just to get to spend time with you and your family!!! Don’t worry about entertaining us! Really!
So did you buy out the yarn store? Do you have room for fabric now?
Whenever we take our mom out of town we find all the local quilting stores. She ALWAYS has to buy some fabrics that catch her eye!! When leaving those stores I have a small sigh of thankfulness that the creative gene passed by me as I would have a terrible time deciding which fabrics to pick up and leave behind.
Lacy,
Yes, you would have loved grandma Ola and she would have loved you. You do so many things that remind me of her. She always had a big vegetable garden, cooked and baked many wonderful things and canned everything she could get her hands on.
The part of her that lives in me the strongest is her love of children and faith in God. I believe the love of cooking passed over me, but it landed in my daughters.
I am so glad that you and Katy are having a great time!
I absolutely love that top photo!
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