Last Updated on 06/12/25 by Rose Palmer
An Alaska cruise is at the top of many people’s wish list. Quilters can get the best of both worlds by participating in a quilting cruise that includes an Alaska itinerary.
But, you do not have to be on a dedicated quilter’s cruise to explore and enjoy the quilt shops in an Alaska destination. I look for quilt shops wherever I travel and these Alaska quilt shops are the ones I discovered while cruising and also on extended road trips throughout Alaska.
Alaska is big – really, really big. It is in fact over twice the size of the state of Texas. The state has eight national parks that protects some of the most majestic and pristine scenery in the country, but these are also some of the least accessible national parks for easy exploration.
I’ve taken four Alaska cruises and two month-long road trips to explore Alaska. Since it’s such a big state, there was always something new to see. As I traversed the state by ship and automobile, I always made it a point to look for local quilt shops.
Sadly, some of the quilt shops I visited on my first trip to Alaska 10 years ago are gone, or have changed ownership and are a fraction of the size they used to be.
Alaska Quilt Shops
Anchorage
Anchorage is Alaska’s largest city with about half of the state’s residents living here. The airport is usually the main entry point for flights into Alaska.
Cabin Fever
In the heart of downtown Anchorage Cabin Fever is now the name of the shop that used to be The Quilted Raven. The shop still proudly sells fabrics by many Alaskan artists like Barbara Lavallee, Ayse Gilbert, and John Van Zyle. Besides a nice collection of fabrics, the shop also sells hand-dyed yarns, and unique gifts.
Denali
A stop at Denali National Park is one of the highlights of an Alaska tour. Unlike the big national parks in the lower 48 states, Denali only has one 90 mile road going through it, and most of it is not accessible by private vehicles.
Northern Heart Originals
The gateway town outside the Denali park entrance is tiny. It’s nothing more than a strip of shops and eateries including the small Northern Heart Originals where I will found unique gifts, fabric panels, kits, and embroidery options designed by the owner, along with a nice selections of Alaskan themed batik fabrics.
Fairbanks
Fairbanks is often the starting or stopping destination for cruise-tours that combine both a land and a sea itinerary. Fairbanks has a wide range of summer activities and sights that entertain and provide an insight into the local culture. I’ve also had the opportunity to visit Fairbanks in winter because it was a perfect location to see the northern lights.
Fairbanks also has my favorite Alaskan quilt shop which has provide a lot of inspiration for my Alaska quilt.
Northern Threads
Northern Threads is a large shop that specializes in Alaskan themed quilt kits that incorporate laser cut Alaskan applique patterns. They also carry a large selection of wildlife themed panels and with over 2000 bolts of fabric, there was no lack of fabric to add to my stash.
Owner Marie Noah has created a large collection of beautiful and unique Alaska inspired quilt patterns and kits. Her designs and laser cut appliques were the basis for a large quilt I put together using fabrics I purchased throughout my travels in Alaska.
Ketchikan
I thought Ketchikan was one of the cutest towns on my Alaska cruises. It was a fun, little town to walk around and explore.
Whale’s Tale Quilt Shop
I found The Whale’s Tail Quilt Shop on the second floor of the Salmon Landing Market building right by the cruise dock, which made it a very quick and easy walk from the ship. It wasn’t a big shop and the fabric selection was limited, but it was worth a quick browse. For such a popular Alaska cruise destination, I was surprised that the quilt shop was not better stocked.
Fabulous Fiber Arts and More
Primarily a yarn store, Fabulous Fiber Arts and More also had a small selection of Alaskan inspired quilting fabrics precut in 1 yard lengths. The shop was across the river from the famously historic Creek Street.
Juneau
Juneau is Alaska’s state capital and is unique in that it is the only capital that cannot be reached by a road from the mainland. Since the city isn’t far from Glacier Bay National Park, it is often one of the ports of call on an Alaskan cruise itinerary.
Changing Tides
In the heart of downtown Juneau is the Changing Tides quilt shop. Here I found a very nice selection of Alaskan themed fabrics, panels and kits, as well as other fabrics for my projects. The store also carried locally dyed yarns for all the knitters out there.
Sitka
The Raven’s Hook
I was sad to discover on my most recent Alaska cruise that the good quilt shop that had been in Sitka is gone. The only option is the Raven’s Hook which is a small, multi purpose craft shop that sold a little fabric, some yarn, and a limited hodge podge of miscellaneous other crafting supplies.
Skagway
I learned all about Skagway’s wild gold rush days at the Klondike Gold Rush National Historic Park. The White Pass and Yukon train ride is also a fun and easy way to explore the mountain scenery that towers over Skagway and to learn more about the area’s history.
Quilt Alaska
I found the Quilt Alaska store centrally located in Skagway which was an easy walk from the ship. The shop was packed from floor to ceiling with Alaskan themed fabrics, quilt samples, quilt patterns and a variety of quilt kits. I gave myself plenty of time to browse the displays and the sample quilts for inspiration.
Thanks for visiting.
Rose
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