Designing the Quilt

I created a very basic version of my "Virginia Tears" quilt design, in Photoshop. Me and sister Eva are going fabric shopping soon so we can get this quilt project rolling. I'm going to use all Civil War reproduction fabrics, in browns and blues. Not sure what types of designs on the fabrics yet, that is the fun part of going shopping for them! The best part. Oh I love it. There is a quilt shop scheduled to open in Kokomo soon, but in the meantime I have to drive 50 miles south of town. There is a great place in Noblesville, Indiana called Arbuckle's Railroad Place. It's 'stationed' in an old train depot! Trains + Fabric???!!!! = HEAVEN! If I recall correctly, they serve tea and coffee, and I could just stay there for days. I might!



Get more of a feel for Arbuckle's...meet me there!

"Entering from the southeast, a winding drive brings you past the wool barn and carriage house. Multiple heirloom street lamps guide the way to the main building. A large railroad loading dock hints to the huge inventory housed inside. The main entrance features a unique combination of Victorian styling, railroad paraphernalia and sewing whimsy. Iron hand rails are fashioned from precious treadle table remnants. Salvage sculptures of eagles and old machines adorn the tops of the street lamps. An authentic train station bench beckons from the dock level for husband’s to sit a spell while the gals proceed inside."
-www.arbuckles-rrp.com

A Tactile Heritage

Robert Arbuckle founded the store in 1948 to fulfill people's sewing machine needs. He sold machines and ran a successful repair business, which is still in place today. The Arbuckle team is admired across the nation for their expertise in antique sewing equipment and repair. They even have their own brand of machine. And you've gotta admire their spunk when they claim they are "the greatest fabric show on Earth." Oh wait! They don't claim that they're the greatest fabric show on Earth, customers insist upon it!!!


This picture shows Bob Arbuckle himself with crew, in the year 1965, after having acquired this caboose.