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Why Quilt Shops Are Now a Must-Visit

on Every Vacation

Before entering the quilting world, I never would have guessed that visiting quilt shops while traveling was such a widespread tradition. Then I learned about shop hops, quilters planning road trips around local fabric stores, and vacation itineraries that include quilt shops right alongside restaurants and sightseeing.

Mind blown.

This summer, we planned two short getaways, and while the guys had golf on the agenda, I had plans of my own.

Our first stop was Lake of the Ozarks, where my husband and sons spent their days on the golf course while I explored local quilt shops. Later in the summer, we met family in Branson, Missouri, where my stepmom, my dad and I spent an afternoon visiting a local store together.

Some of the shops I visited included:

• Love to Sew Boutique (Osage Beach, Missouri)
• Specialty Quilts & Fabrics (Jefferson City, Missouri)
• Quilts & Quilts Fabric Shop (Branson, Missouri)

Supporting Local Quilt Shops

One thing I quickly realized is how important it is to support brick-and-mortar quilt shops. Like many small businesses, they compete with the convenience of online shopping every day. There's something special about walking through the doors, seeing the fabrics in person, and chatting with people who share your passion.

My goal was simple: visit each shop and make at least one purchase to help support these wonderful local businesses.

A Few Things I Noticed

Although each shop had its own personality, they all shared a familiar feeling.

The fabric was beautifully organized by color and collection, making it easy to browse while also inspiring new project ideas. Quilts covered the walls and often hung from the ceiling, showcasing incredible craftsmanship and creativity.

Every shop also had a clearance section—and naturally, that's where you'll usually find me first.

I love digging through sale fabrics in search of that perfect piece that can finish a project or become part of my ever-growing fabric stash.

The people working in these shops were some of the friendliest I've met. We had wonderful conversations about quilting, where I was visiting from, and my work with Cotton Cuts. I even had the chance to share a little about our Puzzle Mystery Quilt (PMQ) program. One person had already heard of Cotton Cuts, but introducing others to what we do was a lot of fun.

It is also worth mentioning that my husband, who is at ease talking to everyone, indulged me as we veered off course in Jefferson City, taking 30 minutes to let me shop. As I walked around, he made fast friends with the shop owner, who answered his questions about long armers and even had him try out an embroidery machine. 

My Favorite Find

Without question, the highlight of the trip was discovering a scrap bin.

The shop was selling fabric strips measuring roughly 24 inches by 6 inches for just $1.49 each.

Score!

I found several pieces that were exactly what I needed to finish blocks I'd been working on at home. Looking back, I wish I had spent even more time digging through that pile because there were so many hidden gems.

I also found a fantastic fat quarter sale and couldn't resist picking up several beautiful batiks. When I unpacked everything at home, I realized most of my purchases were batiks—which works out perfectly because I've been planning an all-batik quilt for a future project.

Add a Quilt Shop to Your Next Trip

For experienced quilters, shop hopping is probably nothing new. But if you've never made time to visit a local quilt shop while traveling, I highly recommend giving it a try.

You never know what treasures you'll discover. Whether it's the perfect piece of fabric, an unexpected sale, a new favorite pattern, or simply a great conversation with fellow quilters, these stops add something memorable to every trip.

The next time you're planning a vacation, leave a little room in your itinerary for a local quilt shop. You might just discover that it becomes one of the highlights of your journey.