Today started early as we said goodbye to our daughter and headed towards the Minneapolis/St. Paul area. Our snacks in the car have been dwindling. Yesterday, we ate the last of the banana bread that I made at home before we left.
Years ago, my Mom gave me a great recipe for banana bread and for years I’ve made it but it has never looked this good before.
Many of the shops along the way are treating us to snack mixes, bottled water, candy, chocolate, and even fruit. It is so appreciated and we feel so welcomed. Thank you very much!
Someone is going somewhere. The suitcase on the right reminds me of my mom’s which she showed me lately but mom’s is loaded with fabric!
My top shop on the hop pick for today was Eagle Creek Quilt Shop in Shakopee. The cart pictured above is located outside the building along the sidewalk just to the right of the picture below.
Eagle Creek Quilt Shop is located at 333 Second Ave W., Shakopee, MN.
This quilt shop, located in a beautifully renovated Railroad Depot built in 1909, opened for business on June 28, 2001.
However, that is not the building that the owners had intended to use for their shop. They originally had renovated another building at The Landing in Shakopee. In January 2001, just six weeks before opening, that building burned to the ground. While fire was destroying all of their hard work and their fabric inventory which was still in boxes, the two owners, Lori and Becky (who is now retired), began talking about the future of their business. Upon Becky’s urging, the old railroad depot was selected for their new location. Lori said, “It was a disaster” since it had been vacant for 30 years after the railroad stopped using it. The old depot was purchased and another renovation project begun.
The original floors were cleaned and polished and woodwork was refinished.
The depot has 16′ high walls which gives lots of space to hang quilts. To add to the charm, they have retained the names of each of the rooms. Here in the freight room, you will find batiks, wools, and Kaffe Fassett among other items.
The telegraph room has…
remnants of the telegraph equipment high on the wall.
Classes are held in the Women’s waiting area which sports it’s own women’s restroom. Back in the day when this depot was built, women had a separate room to wait for their train to arrive.
In the Women’s Restroom (since it is the only restroom in the building it is also available for men as well), look up and see this wonderful original light fixture. The original men’s restroom is now the business office.
Lori and I are talking in the Main Passenger Waiting Area. The ticket window is between the white shelves.
“My business partner and I didn’t want to be the biggest shop in the world,” says Lori but at 2400 square feet, the shop boasts a wide selection of fabrics including batiks, Kafe Fasset, contemporary, traditional, historic, and the largest selection of wool in the Twin cities.
In 2003, American Patchwork and Quilting named Eagle Creek Quilt Shop as one of the top quilt shops in the country for that year and in 2007 it was one of the 20 best shops ever. Look for their cookbook, coming in October, which will contain 450 recipes with proceeds going to their local food shelf.
Several antique sewing machines are on display in the shop.
Lori’s advice for beginning quilters is to find a good quilt shop and take classes there as that can help you avoid making mistakes. She says getting involved with your local quilt shop will help you with your quilting questions and also provides a way to build friendships through socialization opportunities. Eagle Creek Quilt Shop offers a monthly Breakfast Club with food, fun, demonstrations of a new technique or tool, and a free pattern. Click here to visit their website, to learn more about the Breakfast Club and other events and classes, and see more pics.
Lori showing us railroad pins and keys that belonged to her grandfather. I bought 2 yards of the Minnesota Oar fabric.
“If you have to work, it might as well be fun.” says Lori. I guess they got it right as Kathy, one of their 12 part-time employees says, “It’s (Eagle Creek Quilt Shop) my happy place.”
When you visit Eagle Creek, be sure to take a selfie with the most photographed quilt in the shop and tell them that Tu-Na sent you.
Oh, dear. I forgot to take my picture with it. I guess I’ll have to go back to see them again.
We completed the SE section and received this project tote. It will come in handy to store my patterns and charm squares that I collect along the route and also hold the piece of fabric that I am trying to find in black. Inside the tote, is the free pattern and 5″ square of the elusive fish fabric from Eagle Creek Quilt Shop. This colorful fish fabric is the one that is selling FAST! Luckily I spied some, cast the credit card, and caught 2 yards.
Hello Minneapolis! We are now on our way to dinner with my friend and her granddaughter.
Dinner tonight at The Good Earth is Sea Scallops with Caramelized Bacon, Pesto Risotto, and Pea Tendrils. I didn’t know tendrils could be eaten. They were tender and tasted like peas.
And a Dark Chocolate Cherry Smoothie.
What I Learned Today:
- The sign I saw at a shop along the route was right: I shop faster than I sew.
- When bad things happen: pick yourself up, make a new plan, and keep going.
- Spending time with a very good friend is time well spent. Thanks Jann!
Question: Is your local quilt shop located in an interesting building? I’d love to hear about it.
Linking to Beth’s Main Crush Monday. Button on the sidebar.
Tu-Na Quilts, Travels, and Eats 
Sounds like another fabulous day on the road trip of a lifetime. To answer your question, there are only 2 or 3 very small quilt shops on the Island. It’s what I miss the most here on PEI. Thank goodness for online shopping or I’d be crazy.
LikeLike
I shop at online shops too but there is something about being in a unique shop that just makes me enjoy spending my money!
LikeLike
This shop looks amazing, and makes me wish I was with you! It is wonderful the owners were able to keep going after such a disaster. I love the history of the building…thank you for sharing their story!
LikeLike
I would probably have thrown in the towel after the fire. It was so interesting to talk to the owner. Thanks for stopping by.
LikeLike
Oh, I’d love this quilt shop too! Your trip sounds awesome. I haven’t been on the computer for a couple of days so now I need to go back & catch up on Day 2 & 3!
LikeLike
Thanks. It is awesome. Just go with the flow and see what’s around the next turn. Still quite a few days left.
LikeLike
That looks like a great quilt shop. Thanks so much for sharing these wonderful pictures of shop and building details. I could spend a LOT of time in there! I missed your updates over the weekend! You have me hooked on your travel experiences now. LOL
LikeLike
Glad to have you aboard. This has been a fun adventure, so far. Many more miles to go though.
LikeLike
Great quilt shop. It’d be fun just to see all the goodies hanging on the way and the antiques from it being a railroad station. My local quilt store doesn’t have an interesting building but I was interested a lot when they doubled their space! I used to shop in a church converted to a quilt shop. It was really fun.
LikeLike
A converted church for a quilt shop. That would make an interesting story. Where was it?
LikeLike
Love the pictures and the stories, so interesting, this is your talent, you will be contacted by the
Quilting magazines, these stories are priceless.
LikeLike
You are too kind! If I ever hear from those Quilting magazines, you’ll be the second person I tell. Glad you enjoy my stories. My mom does too!
LikeLike
I’ve been at that quilt shop too! Absolutely loved it! Shop hopping isn’t happening like I wish it was but hope to get a section or 2 in yet!
LikeLike
Let me know what sections you do and the shops you liked. Good luck!
LikeLike
Pingback: Tu-Na Travels: Day Five on the MN Quilt Shop Hop: 232 Miles, 12 Shops, The Tires are Bulging | Tu-Na Quilts, Travels, and Eats
Loving your quilt shop tour and advice!
LikeLike
Thanks. The trip’s been lots of fun, so far. And I have lots of fabric for upcoming quilt projects.
LikeLike
I love Eagle Creek Quilt shop and Lori! I took my very first quilting class from Lori back in 1994 when she was teaching out of her beautiful home.
LikeLike
I wish I lived closer to Eagle Creek Quilt Shop so I could take some classes. I think I’d be there a lot.
LikeLike
Eagle Creek is also my favorite quilt show, I love that everyone that works there is so friendly, and a lot of them know a lot of us by name. If they don’t have it you don’e need it. Love them
LikeLike
Sounds like you get to go there often, lucky you! I wished I lived closer. That’s great customer service if the staff knows their customers by name.
LikeLike
Pingback: It’s a Finish! 9 Days, 3368 Miles, 72 Shops, Lots of Memories and a Car Full of Fabric! | Tu-Na Quilts, Travels, and Eats
Superb page, Preserve the great work. Appreciate it! http://bit.ly/2f0xJ92
LikeLike
Pingback: Tu-Na Quilts: Day Three, 346 Miles, 9 Quilt Shops, 31 Remaining | Tu-Na Quilts, Travels, and Eats
Pingback: Tu-Na Quilts and Travels: Day Four of the Quilt MN Shop Hop, 10 Shops, 252 Miles, Only 28 Shops Remaining | Tu-Na Quilts, Travels, and Eats