Discovering the Missouri Quilt Trail

Activities, Missouri Tour Guide

With a number of quilt shops participating each year, the Missouri Quilt Trail is a great itinerary option for groups who enjoy sewing and quilting

Extending from Hannibal to St. Joseph, Missouri’s four-lane Highway 36 is considered the The Way of American Genius. Mark Twain, Molly Brown, Walt Disney, JC Penney and Jesse James can each be traced to Northern Missouri, and each had an impact on American history. The Missouri Quilt Trail, established within the last decade, has added to the lure of Highway 36.

Although quilting pre-dated Europeans arriving in America, early settlers out of necessity patched blankets and mended clothes with the sole purpose of keeping people warm. The artistic style of quilting known today did not begin to surface until fabrics and yarns began to be manufactured. During the 1970s and 1980s, quilting had a revival as granddaughters of older women began to show interest. Today, quilting is done more for relaxation and art, but our history has always been seen in quilts.

The shops along the Missouri Quilt Trail have one thing in common. Both owners and staff offer enthusiastic hospitality and are ready to assist group visitors. From helping to pick out fabrics to aiding beginners with cutting the blocks, they want the quilting experience to be a positive one.

From east to west along the Highway 36 corridor, here’s a look at Quilt Trail shops that can add a delightful option to any itinerary.

Hannibal Bits & Pieces Vintage Sewing Notions & More In addition to Bernina sewing machines and sewing machine repair, Bits & Pieces has all your quilting needs.

Hickory Stick Quilt Shop Located directly across the street from Mark Twain’s boyhood home in three pre-Civil War buildings, they’ve been servicing quilt makers for 40 years.

Salisbury Sew Creative Sew creative carries a wide variety of cotton quilt shop fabrics, patterns, kits and notions.

Marceline Rosie’s Quilts and Things This one-stop shop with an extensive collection of quilting fabric has a reputation as a fun, friendly place.

Wheeling The Quilt Shoppe A warm atmosphere and a variety of fabrics not found in other shops.

Chillicothe Cuts & Bolts Cuts & Bolts stocks a variety of designer fabrics from notable manufactures and promises to bend over backwards to help customers.

Hamilton Missouri Star Quilt Co. What began as a small family business in 2008 has grown to become the world’s largest selection of precut fabric for quilting along with all things quilting related. A popular group destination with 12 themed quilt shops, Man’s Land and a Sewing Center for retreats.

Rayville By the Yard Since 2007 the business has grown from the home to the garage to a building across the street from where it began.

Lathrop Sisters Fabric Farm Quality fabrics, patterns, instruction in various quilting techniques and assistance with a smile.

Jamesport Shearwood Quilts & Fabrics Located in the largest Amish settlement west of the Mississippi, Shearwood offers hard-to-find and well-known manufacturers’ fabrics.

Helena Top Stitch Quilt Shop On January 1, 2019, Top Stitch will celebrate its fifth anniversary featuring 800 bolts of fabrics, numerous patterns, Elna Machines, Horn Cabinets and Handi Quilter Longarm Quilting Machines.

St. Joseph Glenda’s Sewing Cupboard An all-in-one quilt shop with all the sewing necessities you need to create heir-loom-quality quilts.

 

If you’d like more great group travel ideas in Missouri, check out the Missouri Group Tour Guide and be sure to Subscribe to Leisure Group Travel to stay up to date with our latest travel news.

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