Missouri Star Quilt Company

 I put an asterisk on our itinerary at the “must stop” locations and one was Missouri Star Quilt Company.   We detoured an hour north on Monday morning with Kansas City in our rear view mirror.  

I have no words.   First of all, what the Doan Family has done for Hamilton, Missouri is unbelievable.   You need to go to this link, Missouri Star Quilt Company and read their story.  As they say, in 2008, with little money, they bought a building and a long arm machine and started providing quilting services.   The original store and concept has grown, expanded, incorporates the family and is full of positivity!

This is what greets you as your enter the town.

I believe there now are at least 12 separate stores.  There is the main store, which has little vignettes featuring a sampling of what is in each of the other stores.  The staff is unbelievably helpful and friendly.   Pick out a pattern and there are none, immediately someone is looking in inventory and will let know know which store you can find it in.    Only one left, they will put your name on it for the day. 

On the schedule I factored in an hour to be here.   Um…..we were there 6 hours.   That included an hour for lunch.     It is not wonder that each night we were not checking into a hotel until 8 pm.  Had to drive into the evening to make up the time spent in the shops!   Not just in Missouri Star Quilt, but every day.   I think it totally justified not making advance hotel reservations.   No pressure to be somewhere by a certain time.   

The circular signage over each store directs you to where you need to go.

This is inside the Christmas Shop where, just guessed it, all the Christmas fabric and goodies are.

I bought this pattern.   Simple with layer cake blocks and hour glass sashing.   It is going on the to do list.

I think the mostly white walls through out, the fabric displayed the same in each store, the same tool carts, the fact that the rooms were not over crowded helped to not make you feel so overwhelmed.   Actually, not overwhelmed at all. 

The store has retreats, events, celebrations and more.   They are gearing up for their 15th Anniversary.

Need help, just scan the QR code and get directions.

Everywhere this are positive, inspiring messages.   I didn’t get a picture of my favorite and one I often use myself…..  “Don’t let perfect be the enemy of good enough”.

We took out time for a burger and sweet tea at Kathy’s Kitchen.  It was adorable.   Everyone that came in knew each other and it was like sitting in the sweet shop in Mayberry!     You would never know by the photo above, it was a made over gas station.   Good food too!

Circa 1902, James Cash Penney or J. C. Penney as we know him, opened his first department store.   This part of Missouri Star Quilt Company is in the original store.   The floors are the original floors as well as the support pillars/posts.   The sales girl told us how the floors creak and it can be creepy working in there along and hearing them. 

I love the fabulous murals on the buildings in town.

Thank you Jenny for your vision, your dedication, your execution of your concept.   Bravo!

And there’s more to come on our trip……