🛍🛳✈️ VACATION BUYING TIPS - BUYING TEXTILES BOTH NEAR AND FAR

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Vacations are great. Buying fabric on vacation is even better. Here are 10 tips that will help you incorporate textiles into your travels and help you get the most out of your money and time..
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[@JustGetitDoneQuilts]

Thank you Birch for sponsoring! Click here birchliving.com/quilts to get 25% off your Birch mattress (plus two free pillows!) during their Memorial Day Sale, now until June 5th. If you miss this limited time offer, you can still get 20% off using my link! Offers subject to change. #birchliving

[@elizabethmccarten9997]

Do you know if there are taxes and duties payable on mattresses and frames shipped to Canada?

[@JustGetitDoneQuilts]

@@elizabethmccarten9997 More than likely

[@Cassandra-..-]

We got a mattress from their not-organic sister store, Helix, and the quality is great. Thumbs up on the Birch mattresses!

[@deborahdenson2736]

It was almost impossible to find fabric in Italy. Folks didn't even know what quilts are (it was heartwarming to hear my young adult son explain what quilts are by explaining the process ...he was been paying attention all these years!) Apparently, it is not a European hobby. I finally found a shop and was not allowed to touch the bolts of fabric (what?!). I paid $50/yard for cotton fabric. But, I was on a mission and was determined to leave with some fabric!

[@marilyngandhi8571]

Budgeting is my most important Concern

[@Rumade]

Fabric, especially real quilting cotton, is relatively expensive in the UK, so when I travel I always look out for fabric. I haven't been to North America in over a decade now, but when I was out there I was blown away by how affordable fabric was. In January I spent time in Nippori Fabric Town in Tokyo- a whole neighbourhood of fabric shops with guides available showing you who sells what. I was able to source all of the fabric for my wedding dress for just 8000 yen, and my veil fabric too. So difficult to resist the many gorgeous patterned cottons! Most recently I picked up 2 metres of cotton from a market stall in Amsterdam, patterned with images of a market in Africa. It's the perfect fabric to match with the many Nigerian wax prints I have in my stash from my years of living in London. Can't wait to bring them all together.

[@JustGetitDoneQuilts]

Sounds gorgeous

[@roseannecarratkinson4271]

I haven't been on a vacation for 10 years. It would be fun.

[@susans2599]

One winter l drove snowbird cars between Canada and Florida. Had to work around trip restrictions but always found quilt shops all along my routes

[@kerryl4031]

My husband has just done a tour of Utah and he popped into quilt shops along the way for me (I don't want to fly anymore, so he has his adventures and I got my longarm!) so while I didn't need fabric, he did get some light/neutral batiks for backgrounds - but mostly threads for the longarm. All the shops were so helpful and he got rather an inflated head as they told him what a lovely man he was doing this for his wife! LOL!

[@marylourimmasch4301]

That is hilarious! I live in Utah and every year my husband plays a charity golf tournament in Logan with a silent auction. He always gets me the gift certificate for $200.00 at a quilt shop up there! We both have supportive husbands!!! Plus, I hate flying as well.

[@kimandrews9734]

When my husband and I started to travel 25 years ago, I collected hand made pottery. I used to research pottery shops in the area we were going. In the last 10 years, I look for quilt shops in the area we are going. Unfortunately I tend to spend more in the quilt shops than I did in the pottery shops.

[@Rumade]

On the upside, it's less scary taking home fabric in your luggage! No worry about breakage :)

[@sandeenisenfeld5232]

And remind everyone that when they are done shopping for fabric in Toronto, that the Shoe Museum is an incredible experience

[@rebeccafoster-faith688]

Yes-yes-YES!!! Love chatting with people and fabric as souvenir is a lot better than a snowglobe

[@susannordstrom9218]

My daughter is traveling in Alaska. She called me yesterday to tell me she found a quilt shop and purchased me some specifically Alaskan memory fabric, bald eagles and dogsleds. LUCKY ME!!!

[@auntiear126]

I’m at our cottage in BC and drove to Nakusp where the dollar store has a curated collection of quilt fabrics. I allowed myself 6 half metre cuts. I do have project in mind for this fabric and it will stay at the cottage for my happy fun time!

[@Rquilter1962]

I had a blast at the mini shop hop in Fort lauderdale before the cruise. Thanks for suggesting adding red to my fabrics. If you can, jion Karen for her next cruise. I have quilted for decades and still learned new tricks. I just have to remember them now. Lol

[@JustGetitDoneQuilts]

Roberta I really enjoyed watching you make your blocks. You let go and went for it and have amazing blocks to show for it. 🤗🤗🤗

[@joycekaminski1943]

I have bought 1 yard of fabric in every city we have traveled in the past few years. I have tried to buy something that was related to the area we were visiting. My next project is to design a pattern to incorporate all of the fabrics I have so far. I think it is going to be quite difficult making them mesh all together.

[@wendyekers7849]

Thank you for doing your series on fabric shops in Toronto. I was told by the powers that I could only go to one shop, so I went to sew sisters it was so wonderful and the staff were so helpful. I also found the textile Museum who also sells donated stashes which are no longer wanted by their original owners . Toronto was a wonderful experience. Thank you.😊😊❤

[@Cassandra-..-]

I also enjoy going to local secondhand clothing and fabric stores. I feel bad for buying so much new fabric when there is so much out there already. One I enjoyed on a recent trip was Found by the Pound near the St Louis airport! They had last-chance silk saris and I got one with a peacock motif to repurpose in an art quilt. I love the creative inspiration of “found” fabrics!

[@JustGetitDoneQuilts]

Sounds lovely

[@conniemurdoch8528]

My brother spent 2 years in Guatemala more than 40 years ago. My sister in law bought a piece of hand woven fabric and cut it up so we all got a piece. Then each family got a large Guatemalan doll dressed in traditional garb. Then when they were driving back to Canada my darling sister-in-law shouted “stop the car! Pull over, pull over!” She had noticed that the miles of farm fields they were driving by were cotton fields. She jumped out of the car, ran to the closest field and picked a “bouquet” of cotton bolls on the stem. My kids loved that even more than the doll. My kids each took a turn taking it to school and explaining how cotton was grown, picked, spun and woven or knit into fabric which was then used to make clothing, bedding, towels and all sorts of other items. We also told them how the success of the cotton plantations was gained on the backs of black people that had been captured and were brought to the USA and forced to labour without any compensation and under terrible treatment from their owners.

[@marylourimmasch4301]

My brother spent two years in Costa Rica, Honduras and Venezuela fifty years ago. I bet they were there for similar reasons!!!😊

[@conniemurdoch8528]

@@marylourimmasch4301 my brother went there to work for Inco Mines. He worked for them in Thompson Manitoba. First he went by himself for more than 6 months but he missed his 2 boys too much. So he went back to Thompson and they offered him the opportunity to bring his wife and the boys. My nephew was there for his first 2 years of school. His brother was originally 9 months old when he went there so he’s earliest years were spent there even though he can’t remember it. My sister-in-law loved seeing how people lived there. They learned to eat a more plant based diet as there was not much meat to eat there. When word went around that there was “meat” in the market you went to get some even if you had no idea what kind of meat it was. Some times it was wild game and some times you just didn’t ask! Meat was meat. That was also where they learned to embrace black beans and rice. They still cook the kinds of meals they ate there as a regular meal during the week. They have a place in Arizona now and they spend every second Christmas there. They can find all the ingredients there for homemade tacos and such. She has a taco press and a taco shell container that keeps the tacos warm for ages. Anyhow, the entire extended family benefitted from that exotic work experience. I have yet to make my own corn tortillas but I do know how!

[@marylourimmasch4301]

@@conniemurdoch8528 that is fascinating! My brother was in the same area on a mission for our church. I jumped to the conclusion that you are of the same religion because it is really common for our kids to go off and serve for 18 months to 2 years. The art of making Hispanic food is a time honored tradition! I wish my best friend from Mexico knew how to do it so she could teach me! But she says she likes Italian! However, she has introduced me to some great Mexican restaurants!! I grew up on meals prepared with all organic ingredients. My dad was a fisherman at heart, though he was a professor at the local university and so we lived off of trout, venison, our own chickens and vegetables my parents grew as well as milk straight from the cow...still warm!! My mom made our bread from wheat she ground as well as cornbread from field corn my dad raised. It was an ideal childhood. Plus, big vantage point, she made our quilts and that is where my love of quilting came from! I loved your story of your brother. Family is so important. Thanks for responding.

[@brenda5511]

My mom also picked cotton. She wasn’t an African slave - she was just poor.

[@ravensmokedancer8242]

I was just telling my daughter that I haven't seen any videos from you lately. Good to see you Karen!! It looks like the Panama cruise was amazing!! Hawaii looks amazing and I have always wanted to do the applique quilts they do there. I will be working my busy season starting in October so I can't go again. Uuuuugh. Maybe next time!! Oh yeah and as far as people not knowing about quilt con...I had coworkers that said what????????? LOL And one guy that said OMG that's so cool!!!!! LOL

[@catherineb6565]

Hi Karen. You seem to have your twinkle back and it's lovely to watch your video today. 💗

[@suehulbert85]

I keep seeing Lolly's pop up in your video. One of my favorites. About 45 min from home. I hope you also hit Yoders

[@mariaf5474]

I travel solo, so often research quilt shows I can add to my time away. I am also a birdwatcher, and you are so right.....hobbies can really enhance travel. I manage to rein in my local fabric shopping but on vacation it all gors out the window. The worst was a year I decided to do a Row BY Row Challenge. It was great fun finding participating quilt shops along the way, getting the free patterns, and oh, maybe a little of this and a little of that. Big mistake. Never sewed even one block and I have yards of fabric that has been shelved for maybe 10 years. But I am sewing my stash for community quilts, as I am determined not to have a SABLE.

[@EstrafaDC]

Relatively newbie (yet passionate) quilter here, so I have to ask, what's a SABLE, and what's a row by row challenge?

[@MissDFitz]

​@@EstrafaDC I can't speak to the row by row, but SABLE is a Stash Accumulation Beyond Life Expectancy, meaning you've got more fabric than you'll ever be able to use

[@bitspiecesquilting]

Thanks Karen! I love visiting fabric shops while on vacation. It's a real privilege to see other shops, speak to the shop keepers and explore other fabric and quilting traditions. Thanks for your tips - good things to think about.

[@jennifermaddock4382]

When I plan the route for a car trip, I find out where all the great fabric shops are, then plan the route that way. My husband is always surprised!

[@pjinlaca5489]

You are always a font of great ideas and suggestions. Can’t wait to hear your lecture to our guild later this year. We had to reschedule you from your January illness. I always learn something from your videos! Thanks for sharing again Karen. 👋 from Los Angeles….

[@jo-annevandermey2704]

Definitly making a list of what you need and a budget will not lead to buyers remorse or a stash that leaves you feeling overwhelmed and out of control. Having to many choices makes me feel overwhelmed. But everyone has a different threshold of what is to much. Shopping with friends can be really supportive. Fabric boat diving for bargins was a great adventure.

[@megharmon2298]

I think this is good advice even when just shopping locally! I have decluttered many patterns and books in which I no longer have an interest. I also have a stah of scraps and small pieces for complicated mini blocks for things like Dear Jane and Farmer's wife (and others) but I am close to SABLE so I rarely fabric shop except possibly for backings. I do need thread and batting. But fabruc shopping is so enticing!

[@gwendolynhanks]

Karen, you had me at Sabel award! Great video, thumbs up! I love seeing textiles through your eyes and your travels!

[@marylourimmasch4301]

I think I hit sable level twenty years ago...

[@reneecorbin8501]

​@Marylou Rimmasch hahaha ,,,,me too😂❤

[@wandawalker4191]

Taking photos before you go is a great idea!

[@bellarosa70032]

This is so timely! I'm about to head out the door to a quilt shop 3 hours away from home, and I have my list and fabrics for matching. I absolutely love scoping out fabric stores during my vacations, and already have researched stores in Venice and Milan for our September trip, and Orlando for a business trip in October.

[@JustGetitDoneQuilts]

Excellent. Don't forget to ask your online friends for advice too.

[@jillbeck6531]

If you end up going to Kauai on your trip to Hawaii, don’t miss the Kapia Stitchery near Lihue. They have beautiful Hawaiian prints and more batiks than I’ve ever seen in one place. The last time we were there I got several pieces of batik to make napkins for summer use on our patio. I always look for fabric store when traveling!

[@user-jm1dh8gg1y]

Take a long kit is a great help.

[@jennystrahley927]

Great tips, Karen!

[@marylourimmasch4301]

I always look for fabric on my trips and I have accumulated quite a lovely collection. Because my husband is in the travel business, I opted to make his four partners quilts for Christmas containing fabrics from all over the world. Let's say they were impressed. As far as Hawaii goes, I bought my first batiks there way before they were popular. That fabric store isn't around any more, but I have been to a great store on Maui...wish I could remember the name for you. Have fun on your trip to the Hawaiian islands and remember that folks from other countries love Americans because they tip the best in the world!!!

[@Cassandra-..-]

Tip: the Honolulu Goodwill has a sizable selection of Hawaiian shirts, some vintage, that are great to check out. Our family had a good time picking out shirts there.

[@barbaralazier8352]

It was so much fun shopping with with The Panamá Gang. Can hardly wait for our Iceland experience 😊

[@bethkolle1]

I just bought 30 cm width pieces of fabric in a shop in Amsterdam, very different prints from what we have available here in Seattle. So much fun! But very hard to choose just a few pieces, because I had almost no room in my luggage.

[@SabineK.]

I hope, I can come to Toronto once :-)

[@marilynsue4273]

Even if people around you don't say anything, everyone calms down at the very sight of a woman sewing. I still have the thread cutter I bought in Hilo in 2002, good for carry-on bags.

[@jeanninemorgan3526]

Happy to see the All Florida Shop Hop image - my sister-in-law and I participated - too bad we didn’t run into you 🤣🤣

[@JustGetitDoneQuilts]

Did you get to these two?

[@jeanninemorgan3526]

@@JustGetitDoneQuilts we got to one of them. It was a great Shop Hop!

[@rosejensen7855]

Another solid video, thank you. Hoping we'll see videos with dedicated cruise content for those of us who couldn't take part.

[@jojo-wy7yq]

Know what you need 😂😂my first reaction was...we all have enough stash 😂😂

[@livingweirdestherc6644]

I love my local quilt stores but want to visit more

[@CheeseheadQuilter]

Going to Paducah in a few weeks with quilting friends. Besides the museum and Hancock, any suggestions? I’ve seen so much on line about Quilt Week offerings, but what about normal time?

[@yvethemetriccrafter688]

As always great advice

[@vickieaxell9518]

I crochet on the go. 😂

[@abigaildolinger2754]

Awesome advice. Thank you!

[@susans2599]

3 mon in Europe. Goal was to buy no more than 1/2yd from each country but referring to country of origin. Result is 2 wall hangings 5ftx5ft. Lots of Easter eggs, so made a pocket on the front to hold typed story pgs.

[@cathrynalpaugh6765]

OMG! I'm at SABLE status and I didn't even know that was a thing!! 😅😅 Love your videos, Karen! ❤❤❤

[@michellenisun6308]

As an Indiana resident, I loved your nod to Lolly’s

[@sarahm.2803]

I recognized the store. I will be there this summer!

[@dannyhonig8375]

Love your SABLE trophy. I may need one…

[@barbarasnell5345]

When did you visit Lolly's in Shipshewana, In? Thaats one of my favorite haunts and we live dangerously close! Thanks for supporting them!

[@JustGetitDoneQuilts]

2019. It was a great trip and coincided with the quilt show

[@wendywiese419]

Great video. Very informative. Thanks Karen.

[@angief1330]

Karen is the Birch mattress heavy? I have a king size mattress that I just can't budge, it takes all our strength just to budge it a little and put the bottom sheet on. I'm really interested in your take on this. Thank you in advance. As always thank you for a great video again.

[@JustGetitDoneQuilts]

King’s are heavy and awkward just because of their size. My son and husband brought it up stairs but i unboxed on my own…and flipped it

[@jimmyandlindamagner6716]

Well, if you're travelling to the US Virgin Islands (St. Thomas) you'll want to bring materials with you! Believe me, there is literally nothing here. Almost everything has to be ordered online. It's so frustrating.

[@verwilliams1]

Are you coming to Hilo?

[@JustGetitDoneQuilts]

We are

[@verwilliams1]

@@JustGetitDoneQuilts I got so excited to possibly meet you. I looked at your itinerary and I am sad to say I have wedding off island that week. So close. 😁. I know it will be a fabulous time.

[@JustGetitDoneQuilts]

@@verwilliams1 Oh no. Too Bad 🤗

[@liz.mcdonough]

Many years ago my husband and I were in the Cayman Islands. Of course, I looked for local fabric. NO!! Everything there was the same as was in my local quilt shop. Looked for other shops but there were none. Very disappointed. Didn’t buy anything.

[@marylourimmasch4301]

I tried finding fabric in Brazil and after searching literally hundreds of "stores," we finally found three different fabrics that I used to make a quilt for my son along with other fabrics. I went to Africa several times and had very good luck. I have made a few quilts out of that, but when I went to England twenty years ago I asked which of the fabrics were most typically English. The woman's response was, "Oh, they all come from you, Luv." Meaning Americans design the fabrics. We just were in the Cayman islands but bad weather kept us from getting off the boat...

[@katehenry2718]

Please cut the music.