Friday, January 4, 2008

My Travels - Partie III !

The entrance to The Old Country Store! Don't ya just love the store front? So not like anything we have in my neck of the woods!
For those interested in reading more about this shop, it was featured in the Better Homes & Garden Quilt Sampler 1998 issue.

When you walk in, this is what greets you, lots and lots of beautiful "gifty" items!

It's my understanding that some of the items are locally made!

The shop really has a warm welcoming feel to it! Would you be surprised if I said I spend a few hours in there? ;o)

And check out that old stove! It's just gorgeous.

I'd love to have that in my kitchen. Of course I'd have to change the lay out a tad! ;o)

This is a separate room on your left.

It has a plethora of various items to suit any one's fancy. They even sell clothing that fits an 18 inch doll!

I love that cabinet!

On your right, after that gorgeous stove, is the quilt for sale room.

I tell you there are some beauties in there! The hand quilting is phenomenal! The prices are quite reasonable too!

Someone had once told me that some Amish people/stores buy quilt tops made in China, hand quilt them and pass them off as "Amish quilts". Now, the quilts I saw in this shop did not look like they came from China. You can tell that a quilt is from China by the type of fabrics they use to make their cheap quilts. No, the one's I saw were real beauties! I did go to Glick's Craft Shop in the town Bird-in-Hand and they actually had a large sign on their back wall stating, "We do not sell quilts made in China." So, perhaps some shops do go the China route!

During my very first visit to Amish country, (oh so many moons ago ;o), I was taken aback by the number of quilts that were made with printed fabrics. Given that traditional "Amish" quilts are made using plain cotton fabrics, it struck me odd. However, it dawned on me that although it would be against their principle to have a "printed fabric" quilt in their home, it does not mean that they cannot make them to sell! Perhaps they are better sellers than their traditional quilts! Myself, I would much rather have a traditional quilt any day!

The last part of the "gifty" section of the shop are, of course, the Amish dolls!

What struck me strangely were the faces on the dolls, forth row down!

They must have had a request for dolls with a face because it is not part of their tradition that's for sure! Never mind the rosy makeup cheeks!

Now for the "quilty" stuff!

They certainly had a very good selection of fabrics!

Their Batik section was sweet! You know, it's wonderful to be able to buy batiks at such a low price compared to other stores!

There was another room on the right of this one that I did not bother to photograph. It had a good selection of flannel fabrics as well as a section of fabric bolts that were "marked down".

Check out their fat quarter section! I love that cabinet!

They also had quite a nice selection of books to suit any one's taste.

Their notion wall was not as elaborate as some shops I've seen, but hey, keep it simple no? ;o)

This pretty much concludes the tour of the shop! Isn't sweet? There's just so much to explore!

Stay tune for The People's Place Quilt Museum tour located on the second floor! I'm telling you, you could spend hours in that store!

Thank you so much for taking the time to visit with me! Have a great day everyone!

17 comments:

The Calico Cat said...

I had to search long and hard to find a traditional Amish quil tto purchase. (I found it at an Antique/junque shop right there in Intercourse.)

tami said...

You are making me want to go to PA so badly.

Anonymous said...

Thanks for sharing. I'd love to visit an Amish town one day.

Anonymous said...

What a great shop, I'd love to visit that place!

Pam said...

Oh wow -- I could spend the entire day in here!! Love the little Raggedy Ann dolls on the shelves. I have never seen the Amish dolls before - they are cute! I am green with envy - LOL!!!

Melanie said...

What an outstading trip you've had.... did you bring home TONS of souveniors?

Libby said...

Oh, it just looks heavenly *s*

Unknown said...

You know Carole I almost bought me a ticket to fly over to you, I would have to have the whole plane for me on the way home for all the stuff I would buy.

Wendy said...

I throughly enjoyed the tour, I could spend hours poking around a giftie store.
Thanks for sharing your trip.

Alison said...

Oh what a wonderful store......I could spend hours and hours in there!!!!

Elaine Adair said...

Thanks for the excellent tour of those quilt shops! Had a great time - good thing you showed them here because I'll probably NEVER get there! Poor me!

CONNIE W said...

Amish dolls were popular in the arts & crafts shows back in the late 80s or early 90s, I remember seeing them at several shows. All the shops look so well organized and clean...and inviting.

Red Geranium Cottage said...

Thanks for the tour. I would love to visit that shop sometime.

Janet said...

Hi Carole: Checked back with you today to see your pics from Intercourse, PA - wonderful!! just wonderful!! and obviously you have more to post. I have spent the last year or so hooked on "amish-style quilts" and have made two large ones for clients, and two smaller ones to satisfy my own craving to put those lovely vibrant dark solid colours together. I know you had a perfect time - I so envy you!!!
Janet in snowy coastal Nova Scotia, Canada

Evelyn aka Starfishy said...

Actually, some work on Amish quilts are done by Hmong people or those who live in Thailand, not China. See this link for more info. http://archives.seattletimes.nwsource.com/cgi-bin/texis.cgi/web/vortex/display?slug=thaiquilt11&date=20060511&query=amish

The shops look very inviting!!! Lots of eye candy! You did a great job photographing everything!

Cheers!

Evelyn

Nancy said...

Wish I had know you were coming down to Pennsylvania. I am only about 1.5 hours west of Lancastser....we could have met and fondled fabric.

Hugs,

nancyPA
www.patchworkpenguin.blogspot.com

Cheryl said...

Thanks for the wonderful tour of the shop! We will be in that area in May and this will definitely go on my list of places to visit!

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