The quilting shop hop Evelyn Caruso of Glenburn embarked upon in April, with her sister Lori-Ann Knowles of Ellsworth and her aunt Mildred Kinens of Hudson, added a fourth sewing machine to her life – to go along with the basic Singer, Husqvarna and antique treadle machines she already owns. Caruso, who loves to quilt, was the winner of the grand prize, a Baby Lock Xscape sewing machine, when her name was drawn from a pool of entries. The machine was donated by Sanford Sewing Machines in Sanford.

“It was the biggest shop hop ever,” Caruso said. It involved five days, not necessarily consecutive, of driving from one end of the state to the other to participating quilt shops – 25 in all – in Bath, Nobleboro, Belfast, Rockland, Rangeley, Caribou, Gardiner, Auburn, Berwick, Damariscotta, Hallowell, Windham, Yarmouth, Litchfield, Trenton, Jefferson, Sanford, Edgecomb, Farmington, Madison, Cape Neddick, Waterville and Newport.

Mariner’s Compass Quilt Shop in Bath coordinated the shop hop.

Caruso also won the door prize, the DVD “Ricky Tims: Quilting Caveman Style,” at Country Farm Fabrics in Caribou. Each participating shop offered door prizes.

Caruso said she, her sister and aunt began the shop hop at Stitches in Newport where they picked up shop hop “passports.” The passport was stamped at each shop they visited. They had to visit 20 shops in order to be entered in the drawing for the sewing machine.

“I bought a fat quarter [a quilter’s term for a little more than 1/4-yard of fabric] at each shop,” Caruso said. She ended up bringing home 5-10 yards of additional fabric to add to her stash. “This makes my stash more diversified. I like brights and fun fabrics so I added some darker and lighter fabrics. Now my stash is a bit more sophisticated.” Her current project is a Westminster Windows pattern quilt.

Caruso, Knowles and Kinens also came home with quilt square patterns, offered at each shop, for a Beatrix Potter-inspired quilt. Directions for a Garden Tales quilt using fabrics printed in Beatrix Potter-like designs is available at www.cranstonvillage.com, Caruso the Quilting Treasures log and search for “Garden Tales.”

Knitters who travel will be glad to hear that the Transportation Security Administration will permit knitting needles in carry-on baggage or checked baggage. Information at www.tsa.gov cautions, however, that there is a possibility that security officers may view knitting needles as potential weapons. The TSA recommends these guidelines for travelers who want to bring knitting projects along:

. Circular knitting needles are recommended, but must be less than 31 inches in length.

. Knitting needles should be made of bamboo or plastic, not metal.

. Scissors must have blunt points. [Ed. note: Nail clippers make great yarn cutters. The TSA allows nail clippers in personal baggage.] Metal scissors with sharp points may not be carried aboard the plane.

. In case a security officer does not allow knitting tools, it is suggested that knitters carry a self-addressed envelope so that the tools can be mailed home. Otherwise, the tools will have to be surrendered at the security checkpoint.

. As a precautionary measure, carry a crochet hook with you to save the work you have already done in case it is necessary to surrender knitting tools.

. Most items needed to pursue a needlepoint project are permitted in carry-on baggage or checked baggage. The exception is circular thread cutters or any cutter with a concealed blade. These items cannot be taken through the security checkpoint and must go in checked baggage.

Call Ardeana Hamlin at 990-8153, or e-mail ahamlin@bangordailynews.net.