A shop hop is a great way to inspire the artist in you. It is a wonderful way to visit shops that you may not get to on a regular basis and see the quilts that are being created. The shops involved often stock the most interesting fabrics and quilting materials possible. Many times these shops work extremely hard to offer quilting prizes. When you attend a shop hop, you will find not only interesting quilts and fabrics but there are also demonstrations and don’t forget the many prizes that are given away. A shop hop is also a great way of meeting other quilters, getting advice and just having fun. When going on a shop hop, it is best to plan at least a day to experience all that a shop hop has to offer. Be sure to plan a route before attending so you do not miss a thing. For more information about shop hops in your area, contact participating shops.
Here are some of the different types of quilts you may find while attending a shop hop:
- Album quilt: This is a quilt that is assembled from individual blocks, which are each designed and/or executed by a different person. Album blocks are appliquéd or pieced, or even both and are quite often stitched into a quilt by group to present to a public figure to commemorate a special occasion. Special markers are commonly used to sign and date the blocks.
- Baltimore Album quilt: This is a quilt that is similar to the album style quilt. It is named for quilts made in Eastern Maryland between 1844 and 1855. The quilts made during this time featured ornate appliqué and embroidery blocks.
- Bargello quilt: This is a quilt that is made up of off-set squares of color in a rising or falling pattern. Different strips of fabric are sewn together and then cut into smaller segments and then pieced together in a way that features geometric patterns in the design.
- Charm quilt: This is a quilt created using "block" units that are all the same shape and size but all different fabrics. The pieces are usually small, most commonly 2" or less.
- Memory quilt: This is a quilt created using blocks to commemorate an occasion. Common themes used in a memory quilt include; wedding, retirement, and birthday. The individual quilt blocks can be made up of signature blocks, direct printed photo blocks, theme related blocks, and more.
- Miniature quilt: This quilt is made on much smaller scale than a full sized quilt. The blocks are usually two to three inches in size. Paper piecing is a common method used for miniature quilts.
- Postage Stamp quilt: This type of quilt is similar to a charm quilt. This style of quilting is when all of the pieces in the quilt are approximately the size of a postage stamp.
- Sampler quilt: This quilt top is created using blocks that are each a different design or style. This is a popular style quilt for beginners because it gives experience in many different quilt block pattern styles.
- Scrap quilt: This quilt is generally created using many different fabrics. Quite often, scraps of fabric left over from other quilting projects are used.
- Stained Glass quilt: This is a style of quilting that is meant to resemble a stained glass window pane. Pieces of glass are joined together with some kind of leading, which is often copper. The pieces are usually vibrant hand dyed or batik fabrics.
- Summer quilt: This is a quilt made of only a quilt top and backing. There is usually no batting used in this type of quilt, which is commonly used in the hot summer months.