Rochester, Illinois, is a small town 20 miles southeast of Springfield, and is home to Peace & Applique Quilt Shop. This is one of two shops owned by Gretchen Quistgaard. The second is in Bloomington and is also a retreat center. I’ll get a chance to visit that one next trip – I hope!!
The Rochester shop is housed in an 1848 vintage building that was falling apart, until it was purchased and remodeled to become the quilt shop. The interior has the original brickwork restored and visible except where it is covered by Pieces of Inspiration, as they call their samples, and is a valuable part of the town’s history.
The shop is four rooms deep, and each room has it’s own character. The first is mostly blenders and some prints. It also has the sales counter and cutting tables. Note the patterns and samples displayed between racks of fabric.
The next room offers batiks and Bernina Sewing Machines and Sergers. Peace & Applique is a registered Bernina Dealer, so you can check out machines while you are there. There is even a Tula Pink model, but you need to stop in to see that one! Don’t miss the racks of thread to browse through and pick up what strikes your fancy.
Children’s prints are on one side of the next room. The other side has more prints and blenders in somewhat darker colors – we found the back for my daughter’s quilt in this room. There are also patterns and kits available.
In the last room you’ll find Kaffe Fassette and other brights, along with matching Pieces of Inspiration. This is also the classroom space. Check out the class list online if you plan to be in the area for awhile. There are over 7000 bolts of fabric in this 4000 square foot building. Plan to be here at least an hour to see all of them.
| Peace & Applique Quilt Shop | Hours: M-W, F 10-5 Th 10-7 Sat 10-4 |
| 145 E. Main St. | Phone: 217-498-6771 |
| Rochester, IL 62563 | Email: quilter@peacenapplique.com |
| www.peacenapplique.com | Mail Order: Yes Fabric Online: Some |
Stop back on Wednesday to see where the North American Shop Hop is visiting next!