The Mystery Quilt Shop Hop 2025

Mystery Quilt Shop Hop 2025

 

My husband and I love Shop Hops, especially Quilt Shop ones. I purchased my Passport at Early Girl Quilts in Audubon, NJ. For 40.00, I received a passport to be stamped, a tote bag, and an informational card. The dates are March 1-9, 2025. There are nine shops listed and you receive two fat quarters at each shop, and at the 7th shop, a hopper receives the pattern designed by Rachel Rossi and at the 9th shop, a goodie bag.

We headed out on the first day and our goal was to visit all 9 shops in order to get the pattern. Our first stop was Pottstown Sewing in Pottstown, PA. There was a line at the door and a crowd inside. I was impressed that I could choose any fat quarter in the store. Definitely a difficult choice because I was getting mixed messages from the other shoppers as to what the theme is and whether the octopus, sea creatures on the bag and passport were a hint. I decided to pick out fabrics I liked and not worry about the theme.

The second store was Seamless Sewing Arts, Phoenixville, PA. This store was very crowded with happy  quilters talking fabric and where to go next!

The third store was Steve's Sew and Vac, Bridgeport, PA. This store was more difficult to locate, the GPS kept telling us we were there and we couldn't see it. Eventually we found it and met others we have seen on the way. Each store seemed to have different fabric, however, with many fat quarters to choose from at each stop. 

The fourth store is Stitch Central, Glenside, PA. They never disappoint!

The store is colorful with many activities. in addition to fabric and quilt supplies, there are many skeins of gorgeous yarn. There were many fq to choose from and I especially liked the flamingos at the entrance. I often shop at this store for their fabric selection including wide backs and many quilting supplies. 

Store 5 - Cut and Sew, Phila., PA. Lots of activity going on here....a child's sewing class was in progress, such fun! I finally remembered to take a picture of my handsome driver, Bob!

Cut and Sew has a large selection of solids and also accepts pre-owned fabric. There is a Little Free Fabric Exchange out in front of the store. (I wish I had taken a picture) There were Quilty gifts and colorful stickers that some of the students have designed, some were even free.

6. Needles and Bolts, Phila., PA A small store packed full of beautiful fabric, pre-cuts and fat quarters. So many colors and patterns! The salesperson offered to cut any fabric into a fat quarter if I saw something I liked on the bolt. 

7. The Quilted Nest, Collingswood, NJ. Woohoo, 7th shop, so I get the pattern. HIGHLY CONFIDENTAL The ladies are so nice and enthusiastic because I was their first shopper to get the pattern. 

8. Early Girl Quilts, Audubon, NJ. The fat quarters start at the front door and are throughout the store. This is the place for low volume fabrics. The back left corner of the store has a SALE corner with 1/2 yard cuts, bolts and gorgeous fabric throughout!

9. Homesewn, Media, PA. A goodie bag filled with coupons, stickers, candy, etc., to top off the day! 

We started at the first store at 10:00 am and left Homesewn at 2:30. What a day! I didn't do much shopping because of the lines and the crowds. I returned on Wed., the 5th with a friend to shop at 4 of the stores. 

The Hop is over, I can now share the pattern... Creatures of the Deep designed by Rachel Rossi!

There are alternative layouts available on Rachel's website. A few quilters have submitted their finished quilts for additional prizes and to be entered into a raffle for larger prizes. (sewing machine, etc.,) I definitely had a fun time and will consider participating in the future. Well-organized, fun theme, and enthusiastic shop owners, all added to this escape from winter challenge. 

My fat quarters are assembled, I purchased a light grey blue for the background and I am ready to sew!!

Stay tuned for the finished quilt!

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