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 