Quilters in the Caribbean

Happiness is finding a Quilt Store

On the off chance of finding African wax fabrics (fabric lengths rather than clothes) in St Martin, I went in search of textile shops.  Well, there aren’t many, but one big surprise was finding a quilt shop, A Stitch at a Time, located in Cole Bay, Sint Maarten, which fortunately, was within easy walking distance for me.

Owner Lyseth Olaria, keeps a very tidy and inspiring quilt store offering a neat selection of colourful (and very tempting) patchwork fabrics, including trays of fat quarters.  Aside from a huge display of sewing gadgets (and who ever has enough of those?), there was a nice selection of machines, wadding, bag making supplies & more – in all, an Aladdin’s cave for any quilter!  We bonded over our love of Bernina machines…

A peek at what's inside A Stitch at a Time

Lyseth was very friendly and most helpful, making suggestions and showing bolts of colours that could make suitable matches for my own small bag of scraps.  She also gave me plenty of browsing time given my need to explore and select just the right fabrics.  Lyseth clearly knows quilters and how we love to touch the cloth!  I had an absolutely wonderful time given my 3 months of quilt making deprivation, though I’m not so sure about the Cap’n!

You can tell, the Cap'n was enraptured !

A Stitch at a Time is in a group of shops in Orange Grove Plaza, Unit 3C, Orange Grove Road, Colebay, Philipsburg, St. Maarten.  It is open on weekdays from 9am to 6pm.  Phone: +1 721 - 544- 3224 & Email: info@stitchatatime.com.  Lyseth’s blog can be found at http://www.stitchatatime.com.

When you visit St Martin, Lyseth’s quilt shop is an easy run (by taxi or mini bus) from Marigot or Phillipsburg to Cole Bay along Union Road.  A Stitch at a Time is on the corner of Union Rd and Orange Grove Road, but I doubt you will find any street signs.  (Use Google Maps on your phone.)  In the next block is your nearest landmark, the vast ACE Hardware store, more like a Department Store than a Hardware!!  No fabric though.

My selection of blue & whites (very Dutch, yes? & a great find!)

Miso Soup for the Soul

Back to Gion

After a Western breakfast served Japanese style and bidding our hosts farewell, we did a quick last minute shop in Takayama (as you do!) before boarding our train to glide silently down the mountains and back to busy Kyoto. 

With a few hours to spare, we made for Nishiki-koji Food Market. Considered Kyoto’s Kitchen, the complex started as a fish market in the early 1300’s and is now an amazing array of traditional timber shopfronts lining narrow covered alleys. 

Needless to say, whilst we enjoyed nosing about the fresh foods section, we were waylaid by a patchwork shop, K's Bee Quilts.  Unlike some of the fabric stores we had already seen, this shop was selling the latest in American goods.  We couldn’t help but admire the amazing work on display.

 

Somehow we also managed to fit in a visit to a famous Kimono shop.  The staff kindly displayed a few of their absolutely amazing kimonos, despite guessing (correctly) that we couldn’t possibly be able to afford them.  Just to round off our cultural costume experience, we also gazed in the window of the shop of a master obi and braid maker.

Later that evening, we walked to Gion Corner through Gion area with its well-preserved old houses that spoke to us of the old days in Kyoto.  

We descended upon a wonderful antiques shop and managed to find a few textiles and other souvenirs of our trip. 



By now we were well aware that our tour time was drawing to a close.   Surely we couldn’t go home empty-handed! 

Luckily, we caught site of a Maiko whilst there: it must have been late, perhaps 7 or 8pm, as this is the time they leave their studios for their ochaya (tea house) appointments. She was most obliging and graciously allowed us to take photographs before hurrying off to her duties.

 

Year of the Rabbit

Shopping Heaven

A delight to Quilters' Eyes

Takayama, first settled in the Jomon period, was named after the castle built over 450 years ago on Shiroyama (Castle Hill). The town's high altitude and geographic separation kept it isolated, allowing it to develop its own culture. 

The Castle was destroyed in 1695 during the Edo Period.  During this time people were separated into distinct classes – samurai, farmers, craftsmen and merchants as dictated under the military rule of the Tokugawa Shogunate. Were it not for the flood of tourists, you could almost imagine yourself in the Takayama of those times.  

The centre of town, although compact, is a maze of narrow streets.  The streets are lined with traditional dark wooden houses preserved in the style of Edo days.  Tiny shops were brim full of interesting things – especially if you are interested in crafts.  We had a field day gathering sashiko threads, special sewing scissors and amazing indigo dyed fabrics.

Close to the centre of the town is the Miyagawa morning market.  This market has been in operation for over 200 years selling crafts, local produce, souvenirs and street food. They’re located by the banks of the Miyagawa River, so we strolled and shopped, stopping from time to time to watch carp in the river as they lazily swam by us.  It was the year of the rabbit.  Everything seemed to have one stamped or patterned on to it.  So we just had to stop ourselves from going crazy for these loveable creatures.

 

You can see why we were in raptures!

Sadly we were unable that evening to meet with a local quilting group.  We consoled ourselves by taking a little more time to scour the streets of old Takayama for that perfect take home souvenir – oh, and find a few more fabrics. 

 

Ginza Lowdown

Sensational Quilts

This was one of those days when you are so pleased someone else is responsible for knowing where and when you have to be in certain places.  Our schedule was punishing but we wanted to make the most of a day in Tokyo and a visit to the Quilt Exhibition.  We obligingly bought our bento boxed lunch, stopping to admire a few interesting ones on the station platform, and marvelled at how polite everyone was. 

The train arrived on time, in exactly the right spot (marked on the platform) and within a short time we were speeding our way towards Tokyo on the Shinkansen – say that again, the Shinkansen. 

Mt Fuji declined to make a show for us, although we took photos anyway because our trip back to Kyoto would be much later in the evening. 

Meiji Shrine is located in a park, a tranquil spot in a busy city.  Built in 1920 in honour of Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken, it was destroyed in WW2 and reconstructed in 1958.  It’s the place to see traditional Shinto weddings.  Somehow, our timing was perfect and we saw some lovely traditional costumes.

Shinto Wedding at the Meiji Shrine

In contrast, it would seem that some of Tokyo’s youth prefer a more outlandish dress.  We stopped on our way in Harajuku (also see Jingu Bashi) to people watch as the young ones strutted their stuff in wild to conservative costume; more for each other I think, than the many tourist cameras flashing.   Close by is the Omotosando-dori area where we (over) indulged at the Oriental Bazaar, a wonderland of all things exotic for tourists, including textiles.  I concentrated on buying fabric tailor samples which are just so lovely.  Maybe I’ll stop looking and get on with some sewing?  No promises – even to myself! 

Nurses & Doctors were the theme for this year..

After negotiating the subway (& deciphering ticket machines) we made for the fabulous Ginza Quilt Exhibition.  We were not able to take photos of this quilt show, so all I have is of a few that decorated the front window and entrance to the exhibits.  The Empress’s Kimono was on display too (just one of many I’m guessing) but no photos so no memory…  The exhibition was inspirational, the merchant’s stalls amazing and we took a headful of ideas away with a few notes & sketches; and a certain envy of the high quality workmanship! 

Outside the Quilt Exhibition, we were fortunate to meet up with one of Margaret’s friends.  We spoke briefly before heading off for some more shopping, this time “real” fabric stores.  A highlight was the multistorey Yuzawaya (I think?), although a cash only policy came as a shock to us at the end of a big spend day.  Y & I were already over our daily limits having hit Mitsukoshi in Nihonbashi and were weighed down by our earlier purchases anyway.  But soldier on we must; somehow our wallets stretched to buy just that little bit more.

(There’s plenty of helpful & up-to-date information on the internet if you want to visit fabric & craft stores in Tokyo.  Try this advice from comeonilene who can direct you to some interesting shops. Enjoy the planning process!) 

Quilt (or Guilt) Tripping No#4

Southern Highlands (3 December 2011)

Another day out that pleases us quilting ladies is one spent combing the delightful Southern Highlands for fabrics to start new or finish older projects.  We start early, usually having a coffee in the park opposite the Village Quilt Shop in Station Street Mittagong.  The park used to have a wonderful display of tulips in the garden (at the right time of the year).  We’ve always promised ourselves an opportunity to do a class in the Village Quilt Shop as it always seems to have something that inspires us. 

From there we detour via Bowral, trying not to stop at the cafes, and out over the railway line to Berrima.  A nice round-about trip through lush country and nearby area famous for filming of “Babe” brings us to Berrima Patchwork.  This shop is also a great Highway stop on the way to or from Sydney.  Many is the time I’ve come to a screeching halt there at 4.45pm on my way back from Canberra….  This is another shop that has a wide range of goods and last time I visited there was a wonderful collection of linens to make that French provincial pattern on my list of must do’s.  Berrima Patchwork also makes up nicely matched bundles of fabrics that really help when you want to work to a specific colour theme and don’t have the time to do the leg work &   start from scratch. 

On the way back from Berrima along the Old Pacific Highway, take time to turn into the small industrial area near Cavendish Street.  There you will find two delights.  Japanache has a nice selection of Japanese fabrics, traditional sashiko threads and other goodies to add to your stash.  If you’re starting to suffer fabric burnout, then try to walk past their collection of kimonos, furniture items or ceramic dishes.  Sigh!

A little further on in Davey Street is My Place with its collection of Amy Butler prints and patterns.  Nice, fresh and young – this is the home for quilters of the modern style.  They have some easy patterns for sewing children’s clothes too.  From here, it’s an easy trek back into Bowral for some lunch.  Too many cafes and not enough time to choose!  Find the one with the nicest cakes….

Back out to the Highway and on to Timeless Threads in Mittagong.  Now I can never walk out of this shop without buying something.  This time it was a rather nice “heritage” style scrap quilt pattern to do some therapeutic hand piecing and use up that growing box of scraps.  Both features of my new year’s resolution list – not to waste time or fabric!

Lastly, if we haven’t dallied too much, is a quick side-trip into Victoria House.  This long-time favourite is home to a dazzling array for needlecrafters – cross stitch, tapestry, you name it they have it.  From there it’s an easy drive out to the highway to get home.  Did I really buy that much (again)?

Christmas Lunch 2012 in Bowral (with a treat desert tray)

New York = Shopping

Quilt (or Guilt) Tripping No#3

Looking for quilting shops in NYC?  Then don’t go past these offerings. 

CityQuilter is my favourite and what’s more its new gallery opened on 5^th April 2011 as a textile art (contemporary art quilts) just next door.  On the day I visited I was lucky to have caught the fabulous work of Japanese artist, Noriko Endo.  Her exhibition entitled “ImpressionistQuilts” describes intricate fabric placement and subtle colour treatment.  Noriko works in what has been described as fabric confetti – a challenging way of working and rather radical if you think about the way we traditionally piece.  Needle and thread out the door!  Templates to the four corners of my earth!  Now where’s that glue gun?  Silliness aside, well done to City Quilter and here’s wishing the Gallery a long and bright future. 

While there, I added to my stash of NYC prints (as one must) and now the product of my purchase is under Bertie Bernina getting a good all over quilt.  Photos eventually – work progresses slowly.  Four bobbins a day, for 2 solid days of work and only a ¼ of the way done….

Purl Soho.  Purl brings new meaning to the word haberdashery.  This little store is jam packed with modern, fresh fabric designs and loads of bright colourful yarns and sewing accessories.  Their web site is as bright and upmarket as the shop.  The ladies are especially helpful and I found a great George Washington print to add to my NYC collection.

SewMaterialistic, Brooklyn.  I didn’t visit unfortunately so I can’t recommend this store first-hand.  However, I was told it was worth making an effort and is in easy reach.  Just gotta make it over that bridge.  Well, maybe on my next visit?  Meanwhile, there’s always the internet to ogle at their fabric range…

Exploring Blue Mountains

Quilt (or Guilt) Tripping No#2

(13 April 2011)

Well on the way to meeting our 12 step program (5 shops down, 7 to go) we launched on a trip to the Blue Mountains following guidance on The Western Quilt Trail.  April was great, not too cold and not too hot.  Again we travelled in the footsteps of our forefathers; searching for new and fertile territory.  But our search was for inspiration - to either start new projects or finish old ones…..any good excuse really to buy new fabrics!

We met for breakfast in coolish Blackheath.  After a satisfying coffee or two (we’re rather needy that early in the morning) we waited for Ribbons & Rainbows to open.  Sadly, this classic patchwork shop is now closed for good – but bargains were to be had that day, so we warmed the plastic for early use.  Our little group had grown somewhat with three others joining us for the day’s adventure.

Ribbons & Rainbows, Blackheath

Katoomba was slightly warmer, and we enjoyed the equally warm hospitality at The Stitching Post.  This labyrinth is home to an extensive collection of needlecrafts, guaranteed to please even the fussiest of visitor.  We had 3 cars this trip – don’t you just know that we would make use of all that boot space!

We were on schedule for lunch in Leura; not a good day with lots of work going on in town to get a new Woolworths ready for its opening the following day.  Still, we worked around the chaos managing to spend a little time in Picklemouse Corner before hitting the road again down for Springwood.

 
There was quite a nice collection of modern fabrics in Sew & Save and an extensive selection of sewing supplies to replenish our dwindling haberdashery stocks.  A nearby second-hand bookstore temporarily side-tracked us with bargains but our hectic schedule (and bossy tour organiser) demanded we move on downhill to Post Office Patchwork at Glenbrook where we made a few interesting purchases.  Isn’t it amazing that no two stores are ever the same.  We were in need of a break and sipped a coffee in a nearby café.  The homemade cakes were too good to miss too!!

Finally, we scooted off the M4 just in time to catch the last 20 minutes at Penrith store PatchworkHeart owned by Michelle Marvig.  (Sadly that store has also closed.)  Our day was over in no time, our bags heavy with goodies and quite a few bargains. We had a great day and can recommend the Western Quilt Trail to anyone looking for a textile treat or two.

(Ed Update: I've been told that Blackheath's Ribbon and Rainbows has since re-opened.  That's good news!)

Not Quilting. Shopping.....

Quilt (or Guilt) Tripping No#1

(5 Mar 2011)

The Randwick girls were inspired to spend a day together browsing (and not necessarily buying).  Sure!  Like early explorers keen to find fertile ground outside the city’s confines, we planned a trip in early March out to the historic Hawkesbury region.  First stop though, was coffee, before we surrounded ourselves in the sophisticated delights of Killara Village Quilts.  We did have a slow start but, following B’s lead, managed to come away with some Japanese delights, a few antique reproductions to bulk out our stashes, a pattern or two and vague plans to one day do a class perhaps.  Lofty ambitions indeed!

From here we headed west to Richmond where this fortunate and bucolic community manages to support two quilt shops… Oh, to be so lucky!  Our first stop was Fortunes & Fairies where we acquired a liking for William Morris before moving over to Diane’s Country Rose and her collection of Kaffe Fasset.  Any resolve we may have had to show restraint had collapsed by now; any sign of weakness largely due to our earlier caffeine fix wearing off.

After a brief stop at Y’s brother’s house in Windsor (where we raided a bountiful fig tree), we moved on to nearby Patchwork Addiction.  We had time for a quick, late lunch at a nearby café, and then moved on in to scour PA for stash builders.  I managed to find an amazing New York City photo montage which was perfect for my NYC memory quilt, now on the cutting board. 

We dallied too long and had to cut short our trip. Sadly, we would not have time to visit Dural.  Instead, we zoomed down the M7 to make Craft Depot at Pennant Hills.  Phew, 30 minutes to spare before closing time.  “Hardly a challenge!” we said in unison.

Later, our acquisitions were reviewed over a wine and dinner in Coonanbarra, at Wahroonga before heading home to pat our fabrics before introducing them to the rest of the gang.  Now, to hide that melting plastic!  It will need a little time to recover…..

Sadly, no photographic evidence exists of our “voyages bonhomie”.  Maybe it’s better that way!  At least we took one over dinner.  And we're not too exhausted.

Enjoying early dinner after a hard day shopping