Sunday, August 30, 2009

Prairie Queens Quilt Shop

When you are on vacation, don't you love to visit quilt shops in the area? I do. Every trip I go on I try and research at least one or two in my nearby vicinity.
Fortunately I came upon a wonderful store Prairie Queens Quilt Shop in San Jose, California.

Prairie Queens is owned by Debbie Thornton, who is as nice as can be. Her store was recently voted the BEST quilt shop in Silicon Valley by the San Jose Mercury News.

Prairie Queen is located at 14922 Camden Ave, San Jose, California 95124, and carries over 7,000 bolts of fabric.

They had a great selection and a wide variety of projects. They not only carried fabrics and quilts, but there was a section with wool, needlepunch, purses, and clothing items.
I loved it all.

My friends would have loved the batiks and solids selection.

Prairie Queens has a fantastic web site. One of the most complete and comprehensive I've ever seen. Make sure to check them out at http://www.prairiequeensquilts.com/

Debbie really has some talented people working for her.

I had the opportunity to visit with Keiko Clark for a little while. Keiko publishes patterns under her own company K Cotton Studio and works for Prairie Queens.
I found out she has just recently made a purse with Texture Magic that I was hoping to see. Unfortunately she didn't have it at the store. Keiko plans to make more projects with Texture Magic. She is such a talented designer I can hardly wait to see what creative things she comes up with. I will be following her for sure.

A Fig Tree Christmas stocking.

This is one of Keiko's purse designs Vanilla Raspberry Bag.
Don't these little berries add so much to the bag?

I purchased this pattern for "Naoko's Sewing Set".

She had it made up in two color ways.

The pattern includes a Scissor holder and pin cushion

And of course, another reason I was impressed with Prairie Queens Quilt Shop is because they had a great display of Superior Threads. These ladies go with the best!

And they even had packages of Texture Magic right in a visible area.
I agree with the San Jose Mercury News: Best Quilt Shop in Silicon Valley!

11 comments:

SewCalGal said...

I really enjoyed hearing your insights on Prairie Queens Quilt Shop. I've traveled, on business, to this area, for many years, but have never heard of this store. Your article provides insights that have definitely motivated me to ensure I visit this store when I travel to this area again. It really looks like a fantastic store.

I'm a bit envious of those that live nearby and get to visit this delightful store all the time! What a treasure!

Thanks for posting your insights!

SewCalGal
www.sewcalgal.blogspot.com

Material Mary said...

Sure looks like a fun quilt store. I love looking up stores whenever we go somewhere. Each quilt store has their own personality and it is so fun to see which one comes out in the different stores.
Mary

dotti white said...

Wow I love this quilt shop and the sweet designer. You are so awesome to share this with us! Thank you!

Unknown said...

Nedra, I do so enjoy shopping at quilt shops when we are on trips. You always can find something different. This one looks fantastic. I will remember that if I am ever in San Jose.

Carol said...

WOWSER! Looks like a great shop! Thanks for sharing it with us. Love that sewing bag.

Dawn said...

Howdy Nedra!! What a fun shop! The sewing kit pattern is darling. What a talented lady!

Carin said...

Thanks for the link to the website, I don't think I will be in San Jose anytime soon but I will be happy to use the web to shop :O)

amy smart said...

I visited Prairie Queens on my California trip last February! It was a wonderful shop - I think one of the best we visited in the Bay Area.

Love all your travel reports, Nedra.

Browndirtcottage said...

..Oh My...Vacation...what's that??

Wow, this is a FABulous shop...how could you STAND it??

Nanette Merrill said...

What a great shop and great bags. I'd love to see more of Keiko's projects. The bags are lovely. I dont' know a quilt shop around here where I can find solids like that selection. It is hard to buy online solids when you don't have the color in person. Fun shop.

Sherri said...

What a wonderful store! Thanks for sharing! I too like to visit shops in the area I'm traveling!