New Orleans quilters are doubly blessed to have two wonderful quilt shops! The focus of each store is different, so the variety of fabrics, patterns and classes makes a great palette of quilting choices. I'm going to give each shop their own blog entry so you can get an idea of what influences quilters in the Crescent City.
Mes Amis Quilt Shop opened for business in April 2010. The shop is located in a small business area in a largely residential neighborhood near Lake Pontchartrain.
Owner Denise Taylor has worked with fabric in one way or another for most of her life.
Denise loves color, and her shop is stocked with traditional to modern fabrics that pop! She carries lots of well-known designer fabric, including Kaffe Fassett, Amy Butler and Kate Spain. There is also a large selection of juvenile-themed fabrics and a section of black and white fabrics. If you need batiks or textured solids/blenders, Denise has that, too.
New Orleanians love to celebrate Mardi Gras and their NFL football team, the Saints. Mes Amis has a great selection of purple, green and gold fabric for Mardi Gras-themed quilts. There's also plenty of black and gold fabric - just right for a Saints-themed quilt or a carnival costume!
A Mardi Gras-themed quilt shop sample and pattern. In front of the quilt is a rack of animal prints.
The shop also has space for classes and other gatherings. Hanging on the wall behind Denise is a special block of the month quilt featuring famous New Orleans landmarks.
Mes Amis has a very active Facebook page, too. Denise loves sharing pictures of new fabrics that have arrived at the shop, as well as pictures of customers and their quilts. She loved my Greek Square quilt!
If you're visiting New Orleans and want to stop by Mes Amis, your best bet is to have your own vehicle or take a cab. The shop is a little over 6 miles from the French Quarter, but worth the trip! It's also possible to use the city bus line to visit the shop; call ahead for instructions.
