A Mountain of Fabric

So the Tuesday before last, as I was driving to my Mom's, I was looking forward to popping into a little shop that carries quilting  fabric. I was in need of some yardage for backings. The 9 hour trip makes for a long day in the pickup and the 15 minute stop gives me a chance to stretch my legs. Through the years, I have found treasures in this little shop every single time.

Her prices are unheard of these days and although she does carry some newer lines and pieces that are in the $10 range, most of her fabrics are in the $4-$6 range and they are quilt store quality fabrics, with the majority being Moda fabrics. They didn't ever have a lot of bright, modern fabrics, but when I'm in the market for more muted tones, this shop has always been a sure bet.

This time when I popped in and mentioned I was going to the back, they said that they no longer cut yardage from the bolts. Everything was 75% off, but you had to take the entire bolt...because they were selling out. The store is not closing, but they will no longer carry the cotton fabrics. WHAT? Repeat that please. No - wait a minute. On second thought - don't. It was hard enough to hear it the first time.

I was instantly overwhelmed. First order of business was to look for the backing for the Christmas quilt. I needed 9 yards. Bingo. How about the blocks I had just finished that would soon be a top and would need a backing. Check. My next QOV backing. Pulled that. I walked out with 8 partial bolts. And then thought about what else I had left behind for the next 8 days. Its not often you find quilt shop fabrics for $2.11 per yard.

So, yes, I stopped back in on the return trip and 8 more bolts found their way into the truck. And lest you think I am keeping it all and thus, wondering what on earth I am going to do with 156 yards, I am sending some on to a friend who makes QOV and sharing some with a friend who is my longarmer.

So that is how I ended up with 18 partial bolts of fabric

that ended up averaging out at $2.33 per yard.

The tan with little blue and cream paisley on the top of the photo below is earmarked for a quilt backing and the green plaid below it will be the backing for my Christmas quilt.

These three below are going into baby quilts. I have the entire line of that Meadow Friends line and the 2 bottom fabrics are coordinates:

The top one here will be for a QOV:

DH laughed out loud when he opened the truck door to help me unload and said, "I take it you found a sale?" Sure did!