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!
