Shop owners can view and buy the latest yarns and fabrics in two ways. First, fabric and yarn reps to our shop to show the newest goods. That’s a two- to three-hour process and is lots of fun. The reps show us the new yarns and fabrics, and we choose colors, textures, and styles we think you will love. We have developed a new rule over the past year or so. If the item doesn’t make us both say, “Oh wow!” then we don’t get it. Our goal is to hear squeals and clapping when you walk in the door.

The other way for us to buy yarn and fabric is to go to market. That’s a two- to three-day process and is even more fun! This is when we ourselves get to squeal and clap—and, in the case of this past weekend, order in even more exciting yarns!

Yarn market this year was in Indianapolis, Indiana. We drove there in one day, starting out at 7:00 a.m. (those of you who know us understand that this is not an easy feat), stopping on the way for an irresistable peek at the National Quilting Association show in Columbus, Ohio. We saw some beautiful quilts there:

…including two made by our own quilting teacher, Sharleen:

We drove for 9 hours that day, made it all the way to just outside of Indianapolis, and collapsed at 10:00 that night.

Coming up next: How we began our Friday morning in Indianapolis.