Starting Saturday: Harvest and Stitches Shop Hop!

Think of it: 21 independent quilt shops in Oregon banding together to offer a three-week “shop hop” across the western side of the state.

Now that’s something to make quilters and fabric lovers smile in anticipation.

The Harvest and Stitches Shop Hop runs Oct. 3 – 24, with each participating shop offering visitors a free pattern for a 6″ block plus the fabric to make the block. Additional incentives include chances to win a prize at each shop.

MPS member Deb Messina, pictured at right, was instrumental in organizing the shop hop. Deb is the owner of Quilter’s Corner Store, one of the 21 participating quilt shops. (Deb and her shop, located in Beaverton, are the subject of an upcoming feature story on this blog.)

The shop hop is organized into four geographic zones. Zone 1, the Portland metropolitan area, is the largest with eight shops. The remaining shops are located along the Oregon Coast (Zone 2), the Roseburg area (Zone 3), and between McMinnville and Corvallis (Zone 4).

Deb made arrangements with tourist attractions in each zone for special deals to increase the fun for road trippers. These are called “Just for Fun” bonus stops and include such attractions as the Old Aurora Colony Museum in Zone 1, the Latimer Quilt and Textile Center in Zone 2, Wildlife Safari in Zone 3, and the Oregon Garden in Zone 4. Deals include discounts on admission fees and free fat quarters.

The most intrepid shop hoppers/road trippers — those who visit all 21 stores — are eligible for additional prizes, including a three-night stay at the Oregon Coast and a Janome sewing machine. Each of the four zones is offering prizes, and shop hoppers who take “selfies” with their smart phones and post them on the shop hop website will be eligible for Shop Hop Selfie Prizes.

Driving directions to every shop in the hop and the Just for Fun bonus stops are available on the website, along with additional information on every shop. If you missed the September MPS meeting when brochures were distributed or missed picking up a brochure, you can download it from the website, too. This link will take you directly to the site.

Twenty-one shops in 21 days. How many will you visit?