Wouldn’t it be wonderful if stores offered free gifts for just walking through the door? That is exactly what will be happening for sewing enthusiasts when 9 area sewing stores band together for the first annual Charming Quilt Shop Tour August 25 through Sept 3.
What makes it even better for sewing fans is that the purchase of their shop hop passport for $2 or donation of two canned goods benefits local food banks and shelters.
Each store has chosen a special quilt block and designed a surprise project just for this event.
Just for walking through the door of each shop, passport holders receive the quilt block pattern and get to see the quilt project made up and unveiled the first day of the tour. In addition, each participant receives free fabric squares, a treat and chances to win many prizes.
“It is so fun visiting all the shops during the hop. Everyone is just having a great time,” said quilter Diane Kropp of Leavittsburg.
The grand prize is a Viking Emerald sewing machine valued at $899.
Each of the nine stores has donated a $100 prize basket along with two $25 gift certificates. Sewing manufacturers from around the country have donated bundles of fabric, patterns and sewing tools for the event.
“Everyone asks just what is a shop hop,” said Peg Viole, owner of Designers Two Quilt Shop in Cortland. Shop hops are a way for stores in an area to work together in cooperation with leading sewing manufacturers to encourage sewing.
Anyone can join the shop hop by picking up a passport beginning Aug. 25 at any of the participating sewing stores. To qualify to win many of the prizes, participants must visit each of the shops on the tour and turn in their completed passports.
Participating shops include:
* Cotton Pickers, Chardon
* Designers Two Quilt Shop, Cortland
* Forever Quilting, Jefferson
* Just Quilt It, Warren
* Megen’s Quilt Parlor, Albion, PA
* Quilter’s Fancy, Cortland
* Olive Grace Studios, Fowler Twp.
* Shaker Tree, Garrettsville
* Viking White Sewing Center, Niles
To receive a free brochure describing the shop hop tour with all the participating shop addresses, web site address, contact information and store hours, stop in at any of the shops.
