sexist pigs ;)

I'm talking about Mill House Quilts in Waunakee, WI.

I went searchin the net one day for Wisconsin quilt shops, and found several nice shops. Though I've never been there, Mill House Quilts in Waunakee has a really nice website, and looks like a terrific place.

Like many shops with websites, they offer a periodic newsletter sent out via email. For those not familiar with the newsletter, they include class info., sales, links to online shopping, etc. Dakota Cabin Quilts in Hettinger, ND, sends out a really terrific (weekly) newsletter. They are some of the nicest, most helpful people you could find on the 'net, and they have a huge and very tasteful selection of fabrics, books, kits, patterns, etc. They always include a "slice of life" as well... some personal story about the goings-on in their lives... it's really a treat to read.

Anyway... back to Mill House. Their newsletter started out okay... and then their "hunting" newsletter arrived. The letter starts out - "When the men go hunting, the ladies go shopping!" That's all of that particular newsletter I bothered to read. I went and unsubscribed.

I guess it's "tradition" in Wisconsin (and other states), and I'm sure no harm was intended, but - sheesh. While I don't hunt myself, I come from a long line of hunters. Several of the women hunt/hunted, and often do a better job than the guys do! Likewise, many men quilt - and have been doing so for years. Many men - like Ricky Tims for example - are darn good at quilting.... so much so, that they've won awards for their work.

Isn't time that we get rid of some of the old stereotypes surrounding quilting - and life in general? I've been in plenty of quilt shops that sneer at you while you're shopping, cluck their tongues and sigh heavily while they're cutting your fabric - just cuz ya happen to be a guy. But their hands are outstretched and their mouths are drooling when ya drop a couple hundred bucks on quilting supplies.

Who needs it? Again, Mill House seems like a very nice store.... and I'm sure people will continue to shop there. But there are plenty of quilt shops around the country - many online. We have choices. And we don't need patronize those places that hang on to antiquated stereotypes.

Happy hunting, ladies! And happy quilting, guys! >:-)