Duck and Rice Capitol of the world!
Tuesday, July 27, 2010 at 2:22PM LOL. That was what the sign proudly proclaimed as I drove into the small town of Stuttgart Arkansas this morning, on my way to check out “The French Seam”, a Bernina dealer about two hours from my home. The drive didn’t take quite as long as I thought, two hours of interstate driving isn’t too awful.
I took lots of pictures in the store. The French Seam is a wonderful shop! I didn’t stay long enough to explore the town this trip, I really just wanted to drop my 830 off and get home. Two blocks away and I might have missed out on an absolutely charming little town, who knows?
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I was very intrigued. Stuttgart’s population was 9,600, I think the sign said. When I got to the store at ten thirty, there was just one person there. I stayed for an hour, not a single customer walked through the door. I hope it was just the time of day!
They have a very nice classroom area, and it was full… of young girls! How cool!;)
They were learning how to make pajamas. Now that made me smile!
Before I post all the store photos, I have to share a couple projects that were on display that caught my eye. I’m not sure I like them, or dislike them, but they just begged me to take their pictures, so I did!
The sweatshirt makeover on the left. I don’t know if I’d wear it or not, but it’s awesome! The pillow in the center… very intriguing use of decorative stitches! And the pillow on the right, a very beautiful example of embroideries for the girly girl… not me, but I know there’s lots of you gals out there!
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Inside shots of the store… notice all the sample purses made up? Now there’s marketing skills at work! How many women can look at them all and not walk out without at least one pattern? Not me!
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Let’s not forget about the stars in the store!
The new Bernina 3 Series, featuring the 380… is that a sexy looking machine or what? It’s a good thing this little gem doesn’t have an adjustable presser foot pressure, or it probably would have followed me home.
Then there’s that screaming red Bernina chair, ooh la la! Is that for the naughty Bernina girl? :) Over on the right we have more Bernina goodies, and a wall of accessories that managed to extract their pound of flesh from me!
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All in all, I behaved quite well, and only walked out with a few things, but I am so happy with my purchases!
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You can’t see it well in this photo, but I found another ruler that made my heart sing, it’s called the “Applisquare” and is see through, with openings for marking cutting lines for 4 1/2 through 14 1/2 inch squares. I dearly needed this!
Ten more bobbins each for my 830 and my 630, a pair of Snip-Eze that the sales lady promised me I’d love for embroidery, and of course, a purse pattern because I loved one of those purses on the wall. “Mini Bow Tucks” is the name of it. Oh and another screw in patchwork seam guide! I can’t live without one, and now I have one for both my machines.
This store is quite a gem in a small town seemingly out in the middle of nowhere, and I’m very happy I visited! I highly recommend a trip there if you’re in the area. Lots of gadgets, fabrics, samples, samples and more samples (love that!) lots of BERNINAS… which of course is enough to make me giddy!
Reader Comments (22)
Once you start using those little snippers, you will go back and buy more, just because! They are the greatest for embroidery thread trimming, ripping out seams, and even cuticle trimming if the need arises!! Then when they get dull, just open a new package. I have 2 in circulation right now because I keep loosing them in my sewing room.
What a great shop review. If I lived closer, I'd shop there but it's too far to drive from WA state! ;-)
Doesn't it make your heart sing to see kiddos sewing???
And those snips, love them!
I saw the Mini-Bow Tucks purse at several different stores while I was on my multi-state shop hop. So I had to purchase it also. I can't wait to make it!
jnet
Sounds like it was a very nice adventure.. hope your machine is back real soon!
Maddie
OOOH, I need another pair of snippers. They are FABULOUS but bend really easy. You will LOVE them.
The Havel snippers are my FAVORITE scissors. I keep them by my machine as my main scissors for snipping threads. I hope your 830 is fixed quickly.
I have not been to Stuttgart but now I'll have to find my way there and it's all your fault for posting all those pictures. I can't imagine how that jacket started out as a sweatershirt but maybe that's the point. Love, love, love all the samples.
You said 2 hours, how long does it take you to get to LR?
Great pics. Thanks.
Have fun.
Thank you for the shop review. I'm about 2 hours from any dealer, too. I've found some of the best shops in small towns. Hope your machine is fixed soon.
What a wonderful shop! A great find for you. Looks like they do all kinds of sewing, which I love!
Hope your baby will be home soon!
I guess I am a very naughty girl cuz I have the red Bernina chair in my sewing room in CA! What a great chair. Isn't it fun to visit a new shop and have it turn out to be so terrific?
I'm glad you liked the store. It is a destination shop for many quilters and sewers across a big part of the state so don't let the lack of customers while you were there concern you. They have wonderful Bernina and Embroidery Club meetings with TONS of samples and inspiration. I always have to savor everything in the store at least three times during my all to infrequent visits!
Okay, spill it....how much is are the "3's" going to cost? Any prices listed?
I'm surprized you don't have those little itty bitty scissors already. I swear by mine. I swear by all three pair of them...LOL
Yes, CJ, you really are a Secret Girly-girl 'cuz you bought a purse pattern called “Mini Bow Tucks.”
LOL
Wow, what a store. I may have to drive over there someday from Georgia. And I absolutely love that crazy patch girly-girl pillow with the embroideries and decorative stitches. Heirloom sewing like that is my passion. That 380 sure is cute--how much?
Karen in GA
What a pretty shop, and Berninas, too!
Loved the bag wall!
You'll love those snippers when you use your 630 (no thread cutter)!
CJ, I'm so glad you enjoyed your trip to The French Seam. As Dyann said, the Embroidery Club & Bernina Club meetings are so full of samples, projects & instructions that I spend the entire time drooling & putting stuff in my "basket". LOL (And that's AFTER everyone has shared their own projects since the last meeting). The combined experience & creativity of the Ladies are amazing and you can't help but be inspired! Karen received The Dealer of the Year award at BU earlier this month for our area and we all know it was well earned. I hope you can visit more often!
I think if I ever move I'm going to make sure there is a nice quilt shop with lots of classes, sewing groups etc. in the town. Now, doesn't that sound like a dream.
I'm interested to know if some of your responders are from the area and if they have blogs we should be catching up on. Always looking for Arkansas bloggers.
My goodness what a great shop. Glad you had your camera so we can all drool. Exactly where is this place? Directions please.
CJ:
You will absolutely love the Snip-Eze. Can't live without 'em. Also, I'm on my second Mini Bow Tucks purse - love those inside pockets. Best purse I've ever had as far as being able to find something quickly. Have fun!
Great pics - those pillows remind me of the samplers girls used to do in "days of old". The pin tucks purse is really cute. Can't wait to see what you do with some of your prettys fabs. Slight warning on the pin tucks pattern, on another board one lady started it and then quite a few got them and started making them - the directions are squirrely - I started one - last year - figured out thru the squirrely directions (mostly to do with outside pocket) but then just never finished for some reason. It's buried somewhere now on sewing table.
What a nice shop! Thanks for sharing the ruler, looks like a tool I need too. Those squeezy scissors are the best. They are good for quilting too because you just squeeze them so quick and easy to use.
I agree with all the samples you posted. That sweatshirt is fun too.
CJ - what a cute shop! You will love the Snip Eze. I use mine not only for embroidery but all thread snipping tasks.