When I saw the name of this shop, I had to take the ferry out to Bainbridge Island and visit. My eldest sister is Esther, as was my grandmother, so I just couldn’t pass it up! It was started by Esther Fox in 1959; the current owner is Susan Skalak, or, as she put it, “the eighth Esther from Bainbridge Island.” The shop is a few blocks from the ferry, an easy walk, and the pedestrian fare is much less than the car fare!
The shop carries both clothing and quilting fabric, with 1,200 bolts to support your quilting habit. There are solids and blenders, Kaffe Fassett, some batiks, and lots of prints both large and small. Australian Aboriginal fabrics are here, and a small selection of wool squares is also available. You will also find yarn for the knitting enthusiast, embroidery floss, trims for clothing or Crazy Quilts, and patterns for quilts, bags, and clothing. Being the only fabric shop on the island requires an eclectic selection, and they fill the bill nicely. If you enjoy buttons, do check out their selection, some new and some vintage. They were working on string quilts when I was there; blocks were donated during Covid and are being assembled into about eight quilts to be donated to local charities.
Stack-N-Whack Candidate! 
Yarn 
Buttons!
If your latest project is ready to quilt, please call and ask for details on renting their long arm to complete it, or ask while you are visiting. Don’t miss the wonderful samples hung around the shop! The collage quilt is amazing, and doesn’t that raccoon look mischievous? I spent the day on the island, so do plan at least an afternoon to ride the ferry, visit this shop, and then wander all of the other delightful shops on the island before heading back to Seattle.
| Esther’s Fabrics | Hours: Mon-Sat 10-5, Sunday 11-5 |
| 181 Winslow Way East, Suite D | Phone: 206-842-2261 |
| Bainbridge Island, WA 98110 | info@esthersfabrics.com |
| www.esthersfabrics.com | Mail Order: Yes Fabric Online: Yes |
Stop back on Thursday and see where the North American Shop Hop is visiting next!