Pittsburgh Revisited
 

I have a conference in Pittsburgh in about a month, specifically in Station Square. I am allowed to drive or fly but have been told it's a 4 hour drive whereas the flight is 1-2 hours plus mandatory checkin time plus travel to the airport... so I am leaning towards driving.


I would like to visit Carnegie Mellon while I am there. Is that a reasonable side journey in terms of under 30 minutes? How bad is traffic? It's been a couple of decades since I visited my alma mater (except for a quickie drivethrough in '99 en route to Leavenworth from West Point).

Complete random shot in the dark, any quilt shops/big non-chain fabric stores (NOT JoAnn's/Hancocks) nearby to either location? I might try to take a major detour via Lancaster ie Zooks! et al on the way home to Virginia.

Depending where you are on the South Side and what time of day, it may be possible to get to CMU in that amount of time. I haven't lived there in about four years, but I usually took the hot metal bridge over and then got on forbes towards CMU. There may be a quicker way, but that usually didn't take too long.

As long as you're not making the trip during rush hour, it shouldn't take more than 30 minutes.

No idea on the quilt/fabric store, sorry. There probably is somewhere, but I wouldn't know where.

From Station Square wouldn't someone take 579 over the Boulevard of the Allies to Forbes then on up to CMU?

If you're going from the South Side, I'd take the Hot Metal Bridge to Greenfield Rd. then hang that left there that takes you past the Frick Conservatory.

I'm starting to forget all my highways and byways - I haven't been to Pittsburgh in almost a year, and last time I was there I didn't do much driving and really stayed in the suburbs.

Either way I figure it'd take about 20-25 minutes if you're not traveling in Rush Hour traffic.

I don't think there's any construction there right now so you should be fine. I personally would go over the 10th St Bridge or Birmingham Bridge instead of Hot Metal but I'm a hideous direction giver so I'll bow out of that part.

As far as the quilting, this is what I got in a search. Although I have also some old ones that are almost at batting stage if you want to stop by and pick them up. LOL.

Haven't been since 2005, but there used to be a wonderful quilt shop in Allison. They had a fantastic collection of flannels that I can't get in CA. The staff was very friendly and super helpful.

DaffyKD

I can vouch for the Quilters Depot on Library Road (Route 88S). It's near my house, fwiw.

As for driving, unless you get exhausted, it's really better. If you're flying with anything more than a carry on, you spend more time flying than driving.

Ah, my mistake. I read "Station Square" as "South Side!"

I knew it was worth asking! Maquest states that SS to CMU is only 10 minutes away.

Actually, if you're at Station Square and cut across the Smithfield St. Bridge and cut through downtown (straight shot) and then come up through the Strip District via Liberty Ave...follow Liberty all the way up into Bloomfield, hang a right across the Bloomfield Bridge, left at the end of the bridge and then bear left at the weird little fork in the road down on to Craig St., you'd be golden. You can just follow Craig St. to the light at the Museum/kivahan and then hang a left, you'll be right at CMU.

It is doable if it is not heavy traffic.

I haven't found a quilt shop yet however I did discover that the CMU bookstore is selling 60" wide Ancient Carnegie Tartan by the yard.:) It's wool but I will make it work.

Thanks for all the guidance. The directions were great! It didn't take long at all even during rush hour. I had no problems which is amazing for me. Of course the Cathedral of Learning at Pitt was fabulous for getting my bearings. Pittsburghers are much nicer drivers than Bostonians or DC-area residents!

Absolutely! You can include Chicago in your list of drivers who only wave one finger!

Great! I would have loved the Cathedral for only that reason, too, actually! I could see it from my apartment, too!

Preach. Chicago drivers are mean AND just horrible drivers all around - any time I get in the car with one I need an air sickness bag!

Found these locations for quilt shops:

Piecing it Together
458 Babcock Boulevard,
Pittsburgh -
(412) 364-2440

Quilters Depot
4160 Library Road,
Pittsburgh
(412) 308-6236


DaffyKD

I discovered an interesting textile shop in the Strip District. While my co-workers were busy buying specialty foods at the Asian markets, I found a fabulous fabric store called The Loom (near the 22nd St cross-street). It not only has a decent selection of very contemporary quilting fabrics but also fabulous decorator-weight fabrics as well.