Quilter's Cotton Haven: Missouri Star Quilt Company

The flagship. The mother shop. The hive mind. The place to start. (photo used with permission)

You know that Hamilton in Missouri? No, not a waay off-off-broadway show, but the town, Hamilton? You don't? Well, if you quilt, you definitely, definitely, SHOULD. Because that's where Missouri Star Quilt Company lives.

In the main shop, with my bag, ready for some serious shopping

Hamilton. Population in 2000: just over 2k. Population in 2016: just over 20k quilts

North of Kansas City is a slightly-hidden gem of a quilting empire in Hamilton, Missouri. 

A quilting empire?... Really?

I hear your skepticism. Yes, you. I hear it. But you've obviously not been there, you naysayer! Because Missouri Star Quilt Company has taken over this once-forgotten town and turned it into a burgeoning dream destination for anyone who likes heavy-weight cotton.  The entire town is being transformed -- as I type this, I'm sure the cogs are turning -- into the must-see quilting mecca of the USA. 

Once you find your way there (yes, keep driving even if you think you've missed it), you'll want to stay. To me, the town is such a huge inspiration. On your drive to get to the main street (no signs in town direct you to the quilting, so just keep going until you hit the old main strip), you see houses that have seen better days and forlorn buildings. You think, "Yikes." Then you see lines of tour buses parked on the side of the road. There's NO available parking along the street. All the seating is filled in the diners. People are strolling along with bags, their noses perusing a map of the town.

What?

Then you go into any of the shops, eat any of the food (especially, I hear, from the restaurant Blue Sage), hang out in the man lounge, take a peek into the behind-the-scenes action... and you totally understand why there are the buses, tourists, and extra parking lots.

To me, this is part of the inspiration.  For an entrepreneur, this reaches a certain level of poeticism akin to a pheonix rising from a crumbling town. I would really like to create a CGI of a phoenix with the head of one of the founders, Al Doan. If only I were that talented. My attempts (which were embarrassingly many) resulted in something looking either demonic or like a really hairy bird catching on fire. Yet, it was too funny for me to pass up putting just one on here...

The grand reopening of the original shop (photo stolen shamelessly off social media)

Man's land. Where I found my family... and where I found out Victoria had been given a scrap fabric piece to wrap around an ice pack. Rest place for the wounded...

HA! I'm sorry, I just... hahaha

She's hiding with her stolen sewing kit

Anyway, I'll cut to the chase. Missouri Star Quilt Company is one of my "must" stops - a place I shoved my screaming, wailing, crying, sick-of-the-carseat toddler into her buckled nest of sweaty safety for an extra 2-hour drive. Sorry, I need to add some emphasis and pluralize.

THE quilt shops.

There are (correct me if I'm wrong) 14 quilt shops. Guys. That's a ton. And all from the same company, so there's no competition, just SELECTION. It's beautiful. Literally.
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A little charm on a mini charm set. Spoiler: the fabric will be used in Victoria Jean's upcoming doll collection!

Cat prints in a quilt pack? Yes, I definitely got it.

Get one of these in the main shop and they'll track your spending and give you points, and add you to the mailing list for great deals. Easy, fast, free

OK, so I'm far from an expert on this place when placed next to the literal busloads of people who travel from around the world to eat, sleep, shop, and breathe quilting for several days or weeks or however long these quilters marathon for. I've only made two treks, once this week, and once 2 years ago. Here's a short review. I'm only slightly biased because I know Al Doan from those college days gone by. Mostly I'm just JAW-DROPPED in awe at what this amazing, fun family has done with quilting. 

Here's what I know. There's a system to the madness. If you start in the main shop, the one in the first picture (next to the burger place), you'll be able to pick up a map of all the stores, see a sampling from each shop (smart idea, guys!) of what they carry, and register for emails and to accumulate points throughout your shopping. You can sign up without talking to anyone at the desk by using touch screens, and then just grab your card from the table. Great system! I believe one of the reasons they are so successful is their ability to blend modern technology and business models with the traditional style and supplies needed for an old craft like quilting. This creates a space for everyone, old and young, who want to try their needles - take a stab, if you will - at quilting.

An added bonus to my trip: I'm unsure if this is a permanent or temporary incentive program, but for every $50usd I spent in one store, I got to chose a charm to add to my free charm bracelet. $30 gets you a bookmark. If participating, you collect your bracelet from the main shop, and choose the charm on the spot. I won't remind my husband of how much I spent here by telling you how many charms I got... But I will admit to hacking up a bookmark to turn into a charm because one does not need that many bookmarks with a sewing machine charm. 

And now, to really make this short and sweet:

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Pros:

• A. Whole. Town. I mean, come on!
• Themed stores with slight overlap
• All the solids you'd ever need
• Little promos
• All the extras: magazines, FOOD...
• Man's Land
• Happy helpers who actually help
• New, clean shops
• ONLINE access!
• Techie aspects

Cons:

• A. Whole. Town. Sorry, wallet. Sorry, hubby.
• Run-down town is trying to keep up
• Lack of signage - you're not lost!
• Parking
• Slow cuts and checkouts
• No camel fabric
• No way to carry bolts around
• No bargain bin

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My recommendations:

• Stay the course. Your GPS is in fact taking you to the right place. 
• You'll want a full day. Shop hours are from 9-5
• Bring any fabrics with you that you're having difficulties color-matching. There's an entire store dedicated to solids, of every brand they carry. Fingers crossed that you'll find a match to that delightful print you bought 10 years ago!
• ​Start in the main shop, and get a little map. This shop also has a sprinkling of what's in the other stores to give you an idea where you want to go next.
• Definitely eat there. Whether you want sandwiches, burgers/fries/shakes, or a nice meal, do it.
• Only buy what you must have right now or that you need to match, and remember you can shop for what you're unsure of online.
  
• The online platform is phenomenal. Beyond the daily deals, there's great customer service, good shipping prices, tons of ideas, and did I mention their great customer service?
• Check out Missouri Star Quilt Company's YouTube presence. They have a new tutorial every Friday, and Jenny is just fantastic to watch -- especially compared to your standard, wilted, quilt show hostesses. They also have a series for men, which is great!
• Say hi to Al for me! Maybe this is more of a favor?

Our pick for lunch: yummm! I recommend the Cajun fries. Image from MSQC blog

The latest edition of Block, MSQC's great bi-monthly magazine

As a quick summary, this is your one-stop town for quilting. The vibe is a great blend of traditional and modern, and when you're shopping with Missouri Star Quilt Company, you're really joining a huge network that covers all your needs (and wants!) for creating beautiful, simple, and fast quilts that look amazing!