Last weekend, I joined 35 sewists from the Kansas City Modern Quilt Guild for three days of non-stop quilty stuff. Our retreat destination was none other than the brand new Sewing Center in Hamilton, Missouri.
The totally rehabbed building was beautifully redone with quilting in mind. Even at 1 a.m., the lighting was superb!
Upstairs, attractive bedrooms line the hall...
Comfy mattresses....
and plush towels offer all the comforts of a lovely hotel.
The face of Missouri Star Quilt Company, Jenny Doan, stopped by for a chat and ended up staying for an hour, entertaining us with her stories!
The creative juices were flowing freely...
Everywhere you looked someone...
was making something....
fantastic!
We were thrilled to be the first shoppers in the newly opened Solids and Basics Store. Since the cash register wasn't up yet, after our fabric was cut, we carried it a few doors down to the Sew Seasonal Shop to pay for it! (We may have purchased a little more fabric there, as well.) The large main quilt shop was a favorite hang out, too. Can you guess how many times we 34 collectively shopped in the stores? Yes, we counted! (I'll tell you at the end!)
It was fun to be treated to a behind-the-scenes look at the workings of The Missouri Star Quilt Company.
Everyone was so friendly and seemed to be genuinely having a great time working there.
A special warehouse tour by owner, Allen Doan, Jenny's son, was eye popping...
as we oogled thousands of precuts ready to be mailed out all over the world.
Jelly rolls anyone?
Or maybe a layer cake or two?
I'm sure you could find a few charm packs that you'd love to take home...
And probably some acrylic templates, as well. Their new, larger, warehouse is slated to open in June.
We finished up our tour at the Public Library turned, now, into the machine quilting building. I counted 8 quilting machines and understand that the quilters work in two shifts in order to get all of the tops done in a timely manner.
Back at the Sewing Retreat Center, the sewing machines were still humming as the Modern Guild members worked on their many projects.
Outside, the sun might have been setting but there were still many hours of creating left in the day...and night!
This sign, posted on the upstairs wall, sums up life at Missouri Star Quilt Company very well.
I hope that you all get the pleasure of visiting Hamilton, Missouri, someday, if you get the chance.
Oh, and the answer to the question: 143!
Looks like you had a terrific time! Great facilities.
ReplyDeleteAnd of those 143 visits how many were yours? ;-)) I love that star quilt with the purple squares! And it looks like you had a ball!
ReplyDeleteGracious, what a wonderful experience!!! I fell in love by picture (now have at least 4 new quilt ideas!) and have now added a visit (ideally a retreat) to my bucket list (along with a session at Crabapple Hill Studio). Thanks so much for sharing!
ReplyDeleteMy goodness! First, I was stunned by the idea of people staying up and sewing at 1 am. (I am not a night-owl.) Then I started reeling in shock at the size of the shop and warehouse, and the idea of 8 quilting machines. Yikes! That's enormous!
ReplyDeleteThis looks like such a fabulous place, and fun time for you - and everyone! I'm so glad you had the chance to go, and most assuredly, be part of that 143 purchases! I'm also looking forward to seeing what you had a chance to work on. Bet you got a lot done. Hope you slept well - one night out? Or two?
ReplyDeleteWow this place looks amazing!! How fun. Quilting retreats are my favorite thing to do.
ReplyDeleteVery cool, thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteI am so SO jealous! We used to drive through Hamilton on our way from IL to KS. But of course at the time I wasn't quilting (or even sewing - 25-year break!) and didn't know about MSQC! URGH! Now we're in Colorado so I don't know when I can ever get there, although my in-laws are still in Kansas City. ;-)
ReplyDeleteI love, love, love Jenny! I recently made a Jelly Roll Race 2 quilt like the one photo...except I cut half of my strips in half so I'd have more little squares in it. It's a gift for a girl, and now my son wants one for college. Time to find some man-themed jelly rolls at MSQC!
Making one with the collection called Silent Film (Robert Kaufman)- solids, perfect for guys! All different grey tones.
DeleteI knew more had opened up at MSQ since I was there last fall. We have best friends that live and work in Hamilton. She even took me on a private tour of the shipping dept a couple of years ago. I cant wait until our next trip there in July.Thanks for sharing all the fun you ladies had,
ReplyDeleteSew on ~ ~ ~ ~
Wow what a terrific place! Did you get any sleep with all that fabric surrounding you?
ReplyDeleteI've been saving this post for just the right cup of coffee, and it did not disappoint!!! I am only recently (within the last 6 months) acquainted with MSQC, but I am trying to catch up on lost time ;) The tour and shopping must have been phenomenal!!! Especially with all your quilty friends to share it with...I'm exhausted just thinking about how excited I would've been!!! I love to see the roll they are on...my Dad even knows who they are and sent me a WSJ article on them :) (Was that your featherweight on the first table in the second picture?!)
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh, you are the best!! Great blog post, it was such a treat having you all up here with such fun energy and enthusiasm. One of our gals remarked when you had left that it was like we'd all been reminded why we work so hard by seeing so many happy faces!
ReplyDeleteOh, Wow! IWould Love To VisitThere. Is It Open For RegularSales Or Only Groups?
ReplyDeleteIt is open for regular sales, not just groups.
DeleteGreat! I want so badly to come there. Maybe I'll get to some time.
DeleteGreat! I want so badly to come there. Maybe I'll get to some time.
DeleteThanks for sharing your experiences and pictures!
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful review - I don't know if I could have left that warehouse - all those pre-cuts in one place - that surely was heaven on earth. It sounds like you all had a wonderful time. I would love to make that journey one day and see it in person.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing your story. I am going to meet Jenny Doan on Monday, she is coming here for a trunk show in the morning and a workshop in the afternoon. So excited and someday I would love to go to Hamilton and see their shops. Mona in Melbourne, FL
ReplyDeleteWonderful recap, Carla! We had so much fun and I can't wait to return next year.
ReplyDeleteI was lucky enough to be amongst this fun and sweet group of quilters last weekend. I loved it all- even though my bum knee slowed me down a bit and my main project (not a quilt) was a complete failure. Can't wait to go back for another three day retreat in August with my other guild.
ReplyDeleteI was lucky enough to be amongst this fun and sweet group of quilters last weekend. I loved it all- even though my bum knee slowed me down a bit and my main project (not a quilt) was a complete failure. Can't wait to go back for another three day retreat in August with my other guild.
ReplyDeleteawesome, pics and thanks for sharing, this is on my bucket list to go and see, and these pictures just make it move up on that list, lol. what an awesome job this family has done for this little town. I can't wait to get a chance to come and see, I still want them to add an RV park so some can come and just spend a lot of time there,
ReplyDeleteSo very envious. .......it all looks amazing. I live in Norfolk England and doubt very much I would ever get to the MSQC........but who knows maybe one day!!!!! Looks like you all had a fabulous time. I also love Jenny and watch het tutorials all the time, they are the best. So glad you shared this with us. Happy quilting! !!
ReplyDeleteSo very envious. .......it all looks amazing. I live in Norfolk England and doubt very much I would ever get to the MSQC........but who knows maybe one day!!!!! Looks like you all had a fabulous time. I also love Jenny and watch het tutorials all the time, they are the best. So glad you shared this with us. Happy quilting! !!
ReplyDeleteI have been DYING to go to MSQC. Thanks so much for the virtual tour! So glad to find your blog too!
ReplyDeleteI have been DYING to go to MSQC. Thanks so much for the virtual tour! So glad to find your blog too!
ReplyDeleteWow, I would love to go visit MSQC. Looks like everyone had alot of fun. Glad you posted so we could see and sorta know what its like.
ReplyDeleteNow I want to go there! I am so glad you took so many great pictures of your great retreat. It must have been fascinating to see the behind the scenes of The Missouri Quilt Company. Who knows, maybe next year!
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your pictures. Like everyone before me, I want to go too. I'll just have to work harder and figuring out a good time to get there.
ReplyDeleteThere are many of us who follow Jenny's tutorials and have heard of the wonderful shops M* has in Hamilton. Appreciate this blog ~ the photos are great. I've only been imagining what those places would look like!
ReplyDeleteSo fun to hear about your retreat and get the inside peek. I want all those jelly rolls.
ReplyDeleteAh-amazing! It's like quilt Mecca. I wanna go there! Hehehe, how many Australians say I wanna go to the US and see Hamilton Missouri?
ReplyDelete