I won't pretend to be a quilt expert, in fact I have no idea what I am talking about. BUT, I do know that this store had welcoming service and a vast array of options. This quaint store is located in the middle of town and offers a home, re-modeled into Carriage Country Quilts. The squeaky wooden floors only add to the experience as you walk from kids' room to re-done kitchen -- with each room having quilt and fabric options to match the room. There are fabric options as well as quilt patterns ready to be assembled for your next project. read more

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This shop is a gem. I love the merchandise! Thanks everyone at Carriage Country Quilts!

I was excited to visit this shop after seeing them at the Sew Expo in Puyallup. Using a walker, I was relieved to find an upper floor access ramp in the rear entrance. It was steep and slippery but I made it. The interior was a feast for the eyes! It was exactly what I was hoping for. Each room was a color story or theme based. There were lovely quilts and kits hanging everywhere, and plenty of stacks of fabric and wool to tempt me. There was one employee at the front desk. She was busy tying new stacks of 1920's themed fabric. I was curious about things I'd seen at the expo; especially the block of the month wool quilt. I asked several questions about these products. She gave a basic answer to each question and returned to her task. She never asked me a single question or volunteered any additional information. I was interested in purchasing a project when I entered the store, but my interest waned with each question. She never said a word as we prepared to leave and didn't bother to thank us for stopping by. I prefer shopping with small businesses and enjoy sharing stories and information with the people I meet. My experience here left me cold. I don't plan to return. read more

Very nice, clean shop. Well organized, appealing displays. The beautiful exterior of this old house reflects the inside all the way. read more

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I wasn't here for quilting or fabric, I came for DMC embroidery thread and I was not disappointed. The building is darling, and if I was into sewing of any kind it would be really fun to see a house just stuffed with fabric. Anyone looking for thread can find it in well-organized tiny drawers in an interior room; it was very satisfying to peruse the little cabinets for what I needed. Skeins were $.75 which is a little high but still cheaper than the DMC website. The lady who rang me out was very nice and provided great customer service to another customer while I was there. Overall, a very cute hobby store. It's not like shopping at Joann's and it isn't meant to be. read more

My husband surprised the family with a hobby shopping daytrip (hobby store for them and a quilt shop for me). I was instantly charmed by the yellow bungalow with peekaboo views of the sea. The owner was very friendly and was sweet to my kids (always a plus). The fabrics were organized, there was a wonderful assortment of quilting/embroidery/appliqué kits, the were plenty of high quality threads and flosses, and plenty of odds and ends--but no junky clutter--and the store was immaculate. As far as fabric style and selection goes, I spied an entire room devoted to some seriously magnificent wool, holiday prints, and children's fabrics. You probably won't find much in the way of modern prints (like Charley Harper or Anna Maria Horner), but I'm fine with that. This quilt shop tends toward heirloom/reproduction prints--think tiny calicoes. But that's the beauty of knowing--and going to--more than one quilt shop. Prices were easily within a few dollars of an online fabric shop like Fabricworm and you get to support a local business (and save on shipping). I'll definitely be back! read more

Wonderful quilt shop in the heart of Des Moines in one of the city's original houses. Great selection of flannels and batiks, and a large selection of felted wool for doing penny rugs, and the like. They also have a large selection of handwork (redwork type) embroidery patterns and kits. Don't miss the selection of water related fabrics in the bathroom, and food related fabrics tucked into the kitchen. They have a frequent buyer card so you can earn some free fabric by keeping track of what you purchase there, and they have good seasonal sales. The only reason I'm rating them down to 4 stars is the manner in which the store is organized can be frustrating. Patterns and books are scattered throughout the store, so if you are looking for something in particular, you have to hunt, however, I think that's the point since they will get you to wander through more of the store and thus buy more, yet I find this a little trying. I would rather see patterns and books in one place, and while I understand having the samples displayed throughout the store -- you then have to try to hunt the pattern down and it's not always close by. They have a quarterly newsletter, offer classes and have a friendly staff. Parking lot is a little small so if it's full park on the street rather than at the businesses next door as some of their neighbors are more than a little hostile when it comes to parking (particularly the curves franchise next door). read more

Don't bother going out of your way for this shop. It is small, and has a limited and uninspiring selection of fabric. It is off the main roads, unless you are in the area for another reason, you will be wasting your time. Staff is not very helpful, seems like phone calls and cutting fabric is more important than assisting (potential) customers. This is annoying when you are the only customer in the store! read more

A super cute shop in a fun commercial area. (An independent coffee shop is 1.5 blocks away!) The converted house has fabric in the former kitchen, too, which is just too cute. I found American Made Brand, finally, a brand most local shops don't carry. And I got all my '30s repro fabric shopping done in one place. This store is so much fun!! read more

This is a wonderful quilt shop, otherwise Better Homes and Gardens would not have named it as one of their top shops in the nation. They do have a great selection of flannels, batiks, felted wool, and novelty prints. If you are in need of creating a baby or child's quilt you cannot go wrong with their selection of fabrics and kits. The frequent buyer card is valuable. My mom and her friends live for double points days. (They occur throughout the year and also on your birthday.) While most of the fabrics are as the name suggests, country, I always manage to find something that I want to add to my stash. Crafters and quilters out there know what 'stash' I am talking about here! Why do you really need to go to this store? Apart from my mantra of supporting a small business, you should make the trek for their classes. Everything from the basics to the most advance quilts are taking place downstairs in this shop. They hold an open-house which lets you preview what classes will be offered with samples and the instructors. Oh- and those quilts in the hall and on the staircase? Those are the examples of up-coming and on-going classes! Trust me when I say you will meet some really great, genuine people here. And this is definitely NOT your grandma's quilting circle. The women I have met made Boston Cream Pie cupcakes for my birthday, tell me the dirtiest jokes, have many interesting uses for butter, and always refer to me as 'The Princess.' Love them! read more

I love this shop. There are so many beautiful fabrics and a big selection of hand died wool. The walls are filled with finished projects to inspire anyone. It's a drive for me to get there from my home but always well worth it. I never leave empty handed and excited about a new project! read more

This place is super cute, fairly good selection of materials. The workers seemed very helpful and knowledgeable. I believe they hold classes. I do like the batik selection. I would say they have a large selection of seasonal/holiday prints, "country cottage", and children's style prints/fabrics. I was looking for some more modern prints which was a little more scarce than the other options but I will definitely be back. read more

I don't know who checked the block about this shop being wheelchair accessible, but it most definitely is not. The shop is an old 3 story house. The entrance, is up a very steep ten steps. Behind the building, is a winding, narrow and rickety ramp that goes in the back door. The rooms and halls are all very narrow. If you get access to the main level, the sale level is in the basement - down a very narrow set of steep stairs. There is a lot of fabric. Bolts upon bolts stacked on the shelves and flooring - another impediment to getting around without two good legs. read more

This store is located in Des Moines in a cute converted house. I had been to this business a few months before looking for "black and white" fabric. They had a decent selection and I purchased a few of them. So when I was looking for an embroidery project, I remembered that they had those items. I returned to the store. Lots of their hand projects are wool related. They did have a few options for embroidery. I purchased a couple items. The gal that helped me was friendly, but no mention was made of the "frequent buyer" program that I have since read about on this site. This is frustrating since I have probably spent at least $75 in product at this store. I also asked if they had classes, and instead of telling me what they were, she asked if I was on the email list. I signed up and hopefully I'm not missing out on anything until I get the email. I got the feeling that since I wasn't a "regular" that not a lot of effort was made to win me over to return. read more

My favorite quilt store!!! I love kits and BOMs and this shop always has an abundance of both! I love the classes and clubs. The owner Debbie often feeds you a wonderful meal! I cant say enough about this store. Its definately worth visiting while in washington read more

Disappointed is putting mildly. Purchased patterns and threads. Three colors were not available. Paid for threads and shipping. Envelope arrived not properly sealed and the threads were lost. Contacted the store. Was told someone would call back. Nobody did. Called back again to see if threads were available. Yes. Went to get them and was told that I was supposed to pay again. WHAT? They mess up closing the envelope and I am supposed to pay again? I even brought the envelope and it clearly showed it was not properly sealed. Since when do people run business like that? They suggested filing a claim with the P.O. I called the P.O. and was told the store is supposed to file since it is done by the sender, not the receiver. The woman said she would if and when she had time. She quits at 6:00 and the P.O. is closed by then. Poor business practice and poor customer service too. That was my first time at the store, and it certainly will be the last one. I can find what I want on line, but they have lost a very, very good customer. Maybe they have too many and can afford to loose one. read more