Threads Galore & Quilt Inn!

I’m in love!

I’m in love with this whole area and the adorable quilt shop and retreat house that Carol and Dan have so lovingly and painstakingly put together in this idyllic setting in the mountains of Maine.

Who says that a little town of 1200 is too small for a fabulous quilt shop?

The picture to the left is what you see when you drive up this picturesque tree-lined street just dotted with vintage homes spilling over with New England charm!

Carol and Dan’s shop is part of their home. And Homey is the perfect adjective to describe it. But don’t let the “small town” part fool you! This is a very well stocked quilt shop with gorgeous fabrics, lots of notions, and OH the sample quilts!

We pulled in a bit after 5pm, and Carol explained to me that I would be staying next door at Quilt Inn, the retreat house!

A whole retreat house to myself?! Whoopie!

Carol’s house and this house were both built in the 1890s. Carol’s hubby is quite the talented contractor, and fully gutted and remodeled the retreat house into the perfect Quilting getaway for groups up to 9 people.

My first glimpse upon entering via the back porch….quilts and a treadle! I’m in heaven!

Here’s my pile of luggage in the cozy sitting room! More quilts everywhere, comfy furnishings.

Last night at dinner, Dan told the story of how the previous owner’s daughter remembers her dad collecting each stone that went into the fireplace chimney.

Off the sitting rom is a large cozy kitchen….fully loaded with everything you’d need to make yourself at home with your group! I love the tall windows and plaid curtains!

Another view shows the nice counter area for preparing group meals and taking turns at doing the dishes! This is a kitchen I would LOVE to have in my own home!

But wait until you see the sewing area!

Walls were knocked out and moved to include what was the former front porch to add to the size of the sewing room! Isn’t this awesome?! Lots of windows and great light fixtures over head mean that everyone has a perfect spot for retreating! There are lots of design walls every where for laying stuff out.

Another view. These shots were taken in the evening after dinner, so if they look grainy that is why. Isn’t this awesome? I also love the wood floors throughout the entire house, many of them original to the structure.

More design wall space, and a wonderful new cutting island..THIS I want too!

But the real cozy charm comes from the 4 bedrooms up stairs!

Staircase with original bannister --- up we go!

Quilts at every turn! This cute little vignette is at the top landing of the stairs. Love it!

I adore upstairs rooms with slanting ceilings! This is the room I chose to stay in. The blue walls are so calming! Love the bear paw quilts on the beds!

This larger room sleeps 3….and the beds are covered with Log Cabin quilts in different layouts!

Love the tall boy dresser with the round mirror --- everything is just SO inviting! Can you imagine the late night giggles as 3 quilt friends whisper late into the wee small hours in here? This is a place where fun Quilters memories are made, that’s for sure!

Yet another room with a Flying Geese theme…..Sweet dreams to be had in here!

Lovely oak dresser!

Lovely pastel 30’s quilts in the 4th bedroom for the girly girl in you! Wouldn’t you love to come “Quilt Inn” with 8 of your closest quilting buds? I’m sure Carol and Dan will take good care of all of your needs!

Yesterday around 11am we left this little perfect getaway for ANOTHER perfect getaway! Quilt Camp is held up at the lodge, and there are 20 of us spending the weekend! We’ve got two classes running, Star Struck and Texas braid, as well as a full fledged lecture and trunk show happening after lunch on one of the days while here. Knowing that quilters love to sew into the evening hours while on retreat, we are doing the trunk show mid day so we can take advantage of the natural light from the windows and leave the evenings free for sewing.

That means that *I* get to sew in the evenings too! YAY!