Piecemakers Country Store - Costa Mesa, CA, USA

I don't know where to begin with Piecemakers Country Store for Quilting -  www.piecemakers.com ....maybe how to get there? To be honest, you're going to need a car unless you're a local and are familiar with bus system but for us poor tourists, definitely a car.  Okay you need either GPS or have worked out directions via Google Maps (my personal preference) or by whichever direction site you like. This shop isn't in a shopping center or strip mall but it is well worth the visit.

I originally found this shop as part of my "intel" for my usual shopping soire in LA post visiting my family in Vancouver.  I have to admit I did wonder if it would be worth a visit but given I'd decided to stay the night in Newport Beach instead of my usual stay at the Holiday Inn in Buena Park it wasn't too far away.

When I arrived I did wonder where I had ended up but once I entered the shop all I can say is wow...it was like entering the Aladdin Cave of quilting. The inside is very set up like an old country store and then the fabrics, WOW again!!! Absolutely huge range of fabric and of course everything you would need for quilting - hand or machine.  No way had I anticipated being there for long but I swear a hour of my day just went *poof* as I worked my way around the shop. In general probably not as much brights/novelties as I usually like BUT that didn't stop me from buying several yards of fabric to bring back to Australia.

The staff were friendly and helpful. I observed them with other customers and they didn't appear to mind how complicated the question was or how basic. They did their best to answer and in one case actually show a customer how to resolve an issue they were having with a block they were working on. The other thing I liked about the staff was they weren't afraid to recommend people to other shops.  For example, when I was getting my fabric cut, one of the staff was dealing with a caller who was interested in wool/yarn. They didn't have a lot and the staff member said is as much and recommended a yarn shop to the caller. Was annoyed I hadn't paid attention as I like to knit too!

Overall, if you want to lose yourself wondering through a shop, pulling out fabric to look at and just experience some good old fashion service, then do make the time to visit Piecemakers Country Store in Costa Mesa, California.
If you want to stay in the area, I'm a big fan of Motel 6. They generally a basic, secure and inexpensive option stay. In this case, I stayed at the Newport Beach Motel 6 - www.motel6.com :

Motel 6 Newport Beach #4460

2274 Newport Blvd.
Highway 55, Exit #3
Costa Mesa, CA, 92627
Phone: (949) 646-7445
FAX: (949) 631-5537

This particular Motel 6 was probably on the higher end of the Motel 6 price range. However, my room was spacious and they had free WiFi access when I was there and location wise, was only 10/15 min drive to the Piecemakers Country Store.  Another great thing about Motel 6 is I can book online even being overseas.  Haven't had any problems to date with any of the bookings I've made.

Also in the are was a Joann Fabrics store located not too far away which I popped into as well. And even better found some fabric I wanted:

Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft, # 1847
2200 Harbor Blvd Ste H
Costa Mesa, CA 92627-5891
949-642-2340