Battery Pickup and Fabric Shopping

Robin and I went to Missoula yesterday. On the way down, I swung by the new pork processor that we’re going to be using. I had to find a new processor because our old processor sold his business to an Amish family. They will do beef, but they don’t have enough experience with pigs and aren’t taking them yet. I picked up a copy of the cut sheet from the new processor so I can give it to customers ahead of time. Also, now we know where to go so we aren’t driving around with a stock trailer full of pigs.

Our first stop in Missoula was a battery supplier. One of the husband’s work trucks needs to have the batteries—there are two—replaced. I saved the $50 delivery charge by picking them up. Having accomplished that, we moved on to the Janome/Bernina dealer a short distance away. The store does not yet have any of the Janome 3000cpx coverstitch machines in stock, but I reserved one and should be able to pick it up in a couple of weeks. My co-op sale profits are going toward that machine. I was a bad enabling friend, though, and I roped Robin into trying out the Bernina Q20 in the table and the Q24 in the frame. The quilting motion is different between the two systems. I move the fabric on my Q20, whereas in the frame system, the machine moves. Some people prefer one over the other. I like moving the quilt; Robin much preferred the frame system.

I don’t think Robin hates me for making her try out the Q24, LOL. She gifted me this cute fabric to make some aprons.

We had a few requests for masculine aprons at the sale. I need to have some on hand for next year and this fabric will be perfect.

We went to Kohls. I was explaining to the husband that Kohls used to have so much inventory that it was hard to navigate the racks, and clothing was often strewn hither and yon. The stores are much emptier now, and when they do have stock, they might only have one item in each size. The difference is stark. Ironically, that makes shopping easier. Robin found some tops and a pair of pants, and I bought two hoodies. I rarely wear sweaters anymore. I like zippered hoodies that I can put on and take off easily.

We had lunch at Cafe Dolce, then wandered over to Joann Fabrics. Robin was disappointed in their selection and said she thought we had more flannel widebacks at our store. I picked up a bit more fabric for that orange and gray quilt and a few remnants.

The Book Exchange is a wonderful used bookstore in Missoula with a great selection of new and used craft books. I’ve really cut down on my book acquisitions in recent years and only buy books if they have specific information I want or need, like this gently-used one full of hexie projects:

Now my pile of hexies will make their way into actual projects.

Missoula has three independent fabric stores. The Confident Stitch is downtown, and while they do carry quilting cotton, they focus more on garment fabrics. We skipped that store on this trip. Gone Quilting is on the northeast side of town just off I-90. I picked up some half-yard cuts of gingham in orange, pink, and green for binding. I also bought a gorgeous rooster panel. The panel is going to be a quick project on the Q20 to get me back into the machine quilting groove, and then it will get hung over the kitchen table. I have a rod there and rotate wallhangings in and out of that spot. The panel came with some smaller pieces on the sides that will become either potholders or placemats.

I also found some turquoise gingham at Vicki’s Quilts Down Under:

Interestingly, the turquoise gingham is printed diagonally, which means I can cut it on the straight of grain but it will look like I cut it on the bias.

I could have done a fair bit of damage at Vicki’s in the knits section, but I have to sew up what I have on hand before I buy any more.

No trip to Missoula would be complete without a stop at the Amish store. Robin got a package of regular cheddar cheese curds and I bought one of white cheddar curds and we did a taste comparison on the way home.

Our route on this trip took us through the section of forest near the south end of Flathead Lake that burned this summer. I’ve seen burned-over areas before, but not that close, and not ones where houses were lost. I am amazed that no one died in that fire. It was very sobering.

All in all, we had a lovely day. I said to the husband when I got home that I would love to get a group of quilting friends together for a trip to Missoula or Spokane. We could rent a Sprinter van and an Airbnb for the weekend and have a great time.