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Further observations of france and quilting

This last weekend DH and I went to Lille France for the weekend. Why Lilli? We it was on special for the train and for cheap we could jump on a high speed train (TGV) and 2.5 hours later be in a totally different part of the country. While there we found the "largest" book store in Europe. Don't know if I believe that, but it was rather large. I found the sewing section and started looking to see what I could find by original French authors in the way of quilting books. I found a couple and one in particular was actually worth buying. Now I have to find the time to wade through the language. Even when directions are in english, very seldom do I actually read the thing let alone follow directions! Three more weeks of school and then I am out for the summer so I hope to have lots of time... I also found a sewing shop in Lilli, well sort of, and they sold rulers for quilters. The large one, 6 inches wide by 36 inches (maybe) was 31 euros. Now that was sticker shock! I forgot to bring a ruler when I moved her. I have the machine, the fabric, the pattern, the rotary cutters...pins, needles, thread....I forgot a ruler! I go back the US again late this month so they are on my list to bring back. What was I thinking???? Two fold on that, forgetting them and thinking I could buy one inexpensively here. Wow!

Now for fabric, again, what is up with the French??? If you knit, you are in heaven. If you sew, forget it! I have to cross the border to Germany and even the smaller towns have a number of fabric shops. When I find fabric here it is for recovering your furniture. I have found the markets have fabric, but it is not quite the same. Oh well, as I acclimate here I am sure I will find the places to go, but already my new friends in the patchwork club have warned me that I am not living in the area to find fabric stores. Well bummer! OR maybe that is a YIPPY? I get to do road trips to Germany!!!!!!

Ok, I am going to crawl back deep into my probability book now so that I can explain to the students how lognormal distributions work on thursday. Three more weeks :>)

By the way, I would be glad to post a picture of the bag the French ladies liked and the sweater that I was wearing but... is there a way that can be done on this newsgroup or how do all y'all do that?

Jean in Metz

Reply to
jeanga6
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I post photos on Webshots, it's free and easy. There are other free sites too. I'd love to see yours!

Fabric in Germany is not a cheap thrill, seems to run 2-3 times the US prices. Although with the pathetic dollar exchange rate these past many months, fabric prices in euros have actually gone down! (But since our pension is paid in dollars :-( I'm not really saving anything, somehow!) Have you tried online fabric sources in Germany?

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is one of the bigger ones. And I also like
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which is located in Vienna. Roberta in D

"jeanga6" schrieb im Newsbeitrag news: snipped-for-privacy@p25g2000hsf.googlegroups.com...

Reply to
Roberta Zollner

Though still expensive the UK mail order places are good and well stocked.

I use

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for fabric and
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rulers, etc.

Of course then there is the postage.

I use Webshots too.

Sally at the Seaside ~~~~~~~~~~ (uk)

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I post photos on Webshots, it's free and easy. There are other free sites

Reply to
Sally Swindells

Be forewarned that the rulers are VERY difficult to pack! Unless you have a huge suitcase, a 36" long ruler will NOT fit. I took a 6" x 24" ruler to somebody -- I think it was Jessamy when I saw her last spring

-- and I had to hand carry it. Even at that, it was difficult and that ws just a 24" ruler! I tried to put that ruler in the suitcase on it's side and set it in the suitcase diagonally and it just would not fit! Of course, I had a standard sized roll aboard suitcase so anything longer than about 18" would not fit. Anyway, you might end up mailing the ruler to yourself! It will all depend on the size of suitcase you bring with you. Just thought I should give you a "head's up" about packing the awkward things :-). CiaoMeow >^;;^<

PAX, Tia Mary >^;;^< (RCTQ Queen of Kitties) Angels can't show their wings on earth but nothing was ever said about their whiskers! Visit my Photo albums at

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Reply to
Tia Mary

Jean, I know you probably know that 'quilting' is called 'patchwork' in Europe. So, I Googled for "patchwork in France" and found lots of interesting sites. This is one of a quilt shop in Paris. I don't know if you're near this shop, but maybe you can start with this link and find others. I lived in Germany for awhile (I worked for the Govt); anyway the local American quilting club on the military base arranged a trip every year to the big Patchwork show in France; people brought back the most beautiful fabric. Also, look on the web for organized quilting vacation/tours to France; they always know where the most wonderful shops are. Good Luck! Michelle

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Reply to
Michelle

One of the greatest quilt teachers (my opinion) in the US used to take Americans to Provence (sp) in France and come home with the brightest fabric. She said the fabric was made there. Tragically she died on her last trip to Ireland.

Bonnie, in Middletown, VA

Reply to
Bonnie Patterson

Was that Doreen Speckman? I believe that's where she was when she died. She taught at our guild about a month before her trip to Ireland. We were so lucky to have her!!! She was wonderful!

Reply to
KJ

Reply to
Bonnie Patterson

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