Updated September 2025
A quilt will warm your body and comfort your soul.” (Author unknown)
During my travels, I’ve learned to be more patient with myself, a trait that quilters have in spades. While shopping at small town boutiques, I’ve discovered several quilt shops and museums that deserve recognition. Quilters are incredibly creative people who spend endless hours mastering the art.
QUILT SHOPS
KANSAS
Eclectic Threads Quilt Studio – Hays, Kansas
The long-arm quilting machine hums at Eclectic Threads Quilt Studio (1012 Main), where customers commission quilts to be made or finished. In the front of the retail shop, a sign showcases upcoming classes open to the creatives who want to learn to quilt.
Aside from offering long-arm quilting services and classes, shoppers will be delighted to discover kits, fabric, batting, notions, thread, and patterns available for purchase.
Consider Eclectic Threads Quilting Studio a hub for quilters of all skill levels who want to bring their creations to life.
Charlotte’s Sew Natural – Newton, Kansas
Charlotte’s Sew Natural (710 N. Main Street) is one-stop shopping for stitchers wanting to buy fabric, patterns, or notions for their quilt project. They stock the most cotton bolt fabric in the state. Inventory is organized by color, season, and theme, making it easy to direct oneself to the section of fabric they’re seeking.
The customer service was genuine and helpful during my visit. Employees, who are experience quilters, are eager to swap project stories or assist shoppers of all quilting experience levels.
Beehive Quilt Shop & Bee Creative Toys – Wellington, Kansas
Two stores in one, Beehive Quilt Shop & Bee Creative Toys (122 N. Washington Ave.), share the same space. People travel from far away to check out the quilt shop that stocks over 100 books, dozens of kits, hundreds of notions, and over 1,000 patterns. The store frequently hosts instructional sessions for quilters of all experience levels.
Having visited several quilt shops across Kansas, I was impressed by the staffers’ knowledge of on-trend designs and how to teach others the techniques for every kind of quilt.
Seneca Variety – Seneca, Kansas
I love a shop that carries a bit of everything, and Seneca Variety (425 Main Street) is where shoppers go when they need a gift from someone or a little something special for themselves. The well-organized store has aisles of inventory and a side room is full of quilting supplies from fabric and notions to appliqués and thread.
PRO TIP: The Seneca Sampler Quilt Mural (425 Main Street) is the most vibrant and colorful one in town. Seneca native Ellie Haynie painted a collection of quilt blocks, each submitted with a donation by community members.
Sew Country – Belleville, Kansas
I stopped inside Sew Country (1834 M. St.), a quilter’s paradise. Two friendly employees greeted me and took me around the store. I quickly discovered that Sew County is the place to source the latest fabric patterns and supplies for quilters planning a project.
In business for almost three decades, they carry over 6,000 bolts of fabric (check out their gallery). Quilters come from miles around to peruse their inventory of seasonal prints and notions (snaps, elastics, threads).
If you want to learn more about taking a DIY class or asking them to ship quilting supplies to you, visit their Facebook page.
Field to Fabric Quilt Company – Winfield, Kansas
The staff at Field to Fabric Quilt Company (907 Main St.) is passionate about quilting, just like their customers. The shop is located on the Kansas Barn Quilt Trail Map and is featured in the All Kansas & Nebraska Shop Hop magazine.
Known for carrying a large selection of cotton fabric, notions, and floss, it’s one-stop shopping. Beginners and veteran quilters can take advantage of on-site classes.
PRO TIP: Walk down to The Great Hall of Quilts to see handcrafted masterpieces.
The Creative Place – Spring Hill
The Creative Place (118 S. Main Street) s a retreat venue for artists from quilters and scrapbookers to writers and painters.
The owner created a spacious workspace for up to 40 people, featuring individual tables and design walls to facilitate project completion. Since 2016, people have gravitated to the studio for the day or chosen to stay for multiple days.
Quilters, who often seek out retreat spaces in groups, will appreciate The Creative Place’s sleeping quarters, which include a full kitchen (bring your recipes!), two full baths, and individual lockers.
Attend one of The Creative Place’s workshops.
MORE QUILT SHOPS: Refer to Rona The Ribbiter’s Complete List of 63 Quilt shops in Kansas
MISSOURI
Missouri Star Quilt Company – Hamilton, Missouri
The City of Hamilton Missouri is a quilter’s heaven. I pulled off Mo Hwy 36 – Way of American Genius to explore Missouri Quilt Museum, the World’s Largest Spool of Thread, and shop the Mo Hwy 36 Quilt Trail.
I discover far more than expected. Quilt Town USA is home to 16 quilt shops and multiple vibrant murals depicting quilts. A tea shop, café, restaurants, and more line Hamilton’s Main Street, making it the ultimate destination for a day trip.
PRO TIP: Check out The Quilter’s Daily Deal.
MUSEUMS
International Quilt Museum – Lincoln, Nebraska
You don’t have to quilt to appreciate the beauty of a well-made piece, and the International Quilt Museum (1523 N. 33rd Street) showcases some of the world’s most exquisite handiwork. With a collection of over 8,000 quilts in its inventory, the galleries’ pieces rotate regularly.
You can count on five rotating Now Showing galleries, and their inventory of acquisitions is the largest in the public collection in the world, so exhibitions of regularly rotated.
Missouri Quilt Museum – Hamilton, Missouri
Located inside an old school, Missouri Quilt Museum showcases thousands of quilts, antique sewing machines, thimbles, needles and more. Take a self-guided tour of over 30,000 square feet of gallery space with works represented by individual quilters and quilters’ guilds.
Have you seen miniature quilts? Viewed a 3-D quilt? See them and more at the annual Airing of the Quilts, a massive collection on exhibit every September.
PRO TIP: Don’t miss your chance to take a photo with the World’s Largest Spool of Thread in front on the museum. Bring thread to add to it.
Iowa Quilt Museum – Winterset, Iowa
If you quilt or appreciate those who do, visiting the Iowa Quilt Museum (68 E. Court Ave.) is essential. The downstairs gallery houses evolving exhibits of handcrafted quilts. Curious about the evolution of making quilts, I walked upstairs to view historical displays.
On the day of my visit, I voted for my favorite quilt, a 3-D pattern, from the collection “Welcome Home: A Celebrate of Quilts.” It was interesting to look closely at the handiwork of quilts dating back to the 1850s. The museum installs new exhibits four times a year.
PRO TIP: Next door, Pieceworks Quilt Shop, sells fabric and supplies.
MORE QUILT MUSEUMS: Refer to Rona the Ribbiter’s Complete List of Quilt Museums Around the World
Do you need a place to stay while on the road traveling from shop to museum? Check out my suggestions for Unique Vacation Rentals for a Kansas, Missouri, or Iowa Getaway. Call your gal pals!
If your favorite quilt shop or museum didn’t make this list (places I’ve visited), please add it in the comments below. I’d love hear about it.
From upscale dining and laid-back cafés to shopping strolls and an underground cave tour, there is more than enough to experience in three days. Lincoln, aka The Star City, is your destination, no matter your travel personality.
The expansive lobby is filled with UNL sports artifacts and framed illustrations of notable Nebraskans like Warren Buffett. Comfy couch configurations and desk sets provide plenty of room to gather with friends before or after a day of exploring the city.
Where can you eat and drink at the hotel? 
While I didn’t have time to create a candle, I came home with a French Press soy candle that smells like fresh brewed coffee.
As I perused the store’s shelves, I noticed non-licorice candies available for sale as well. This is the ideal shopping destination if you want to build a gift basket for someone with a sweet tooth.
In business for over 20 years, Licorice International is likely unlike any candy store you’ve visited and one of the most interesting in the Midwest. Ask about homemade fudge and pecan rolls.
Kid clothing, art supplies, dolls, toys, they carry it. You won’t find typical big-box store toys at Paper Kite. They stock handmade toys and wearables created by local and regional artisans.
In search of a gift for my niece and nephew, an employee helped me search the store for the perfect sentiment. The store’s beautiful stationary and art prints made it hard not to leave without something for myself.
Opened in 2006, the inventory consists of on-trend fashions and everyday clothing. Tables display jewelry, handbags, and sneakers to complement outfits and create classic, timeless looks.
The owner refreshes inventory curating items at market to sell at the College View store and its Omaha sister store, 
I thought the variety of wearable classics was affordable compared to Lululemon or its competitors. The clearance racks at the back of the store are the place to look for deep discounts.
Items are grouped by function and design. Dried flowers and garlands adorned the garden room. A dark, moody room included man cave decor. An upstairs room catered to shoppers seeking stylish bedroom accents.
PRO TIP: Get a sneak peek at new inventory arrivals by viewing its 
I sipped a Maracuyá fruit drink between bites of a Confetti Blueberry Mini Loaf at an indoor cafe near the shop’s retail area. The smell of fresh baked goods permeated the air.
Reserve a table to enjoy elevated fresh, innovative cuisine with views of bustling downtown Lincoln. The interior’s grey walls and black accents are illuminated by pendant lighting, creating a monochromatic aesthetic.
The menu features recipes that incorporate seasonally available sustainable ingredients. We asked our server, Evan, to present us with a variety of entrees in a progressive style, starting with Pistachio-Peach-Prosciutto and followed by Fried Chicken Yogurt and Pickles.
The award-worthy meal continued with Smoky Mussels + Parmesan Broth, concluding with homemade fruit sorbet served with melon segments.
The restaurant, which also serves lunch and dinner, is led by owner and executive chef Eric Lemke, who incorporates farm-fresh ingredients into seasonal menu selections.
We couldn’t eat another bite. In fact, we took the leftovers home with us because leaving them behind would be a crime. Nevertheless, our helpful server showed us the dessert tray featuring an array of goodies made by a local baker, especially for the restaurant. Next time, I’ll order the two-tiered carrot cake, one of the most requested desserts.
We dropped by before embarking on the farmers’ market just before a line formed at the register. The drink menu, featuring single-origin coffee and loose-lea tea drinks, also includes made-to-order crepes and panini.
I enjoyed a chai tea latted seated from a 70s style upholstered couch under a wood beam and brick ceiling. A couple chatted at a nearby cafe table as people came and went on a busy Saturday morning.
People stroll brick streets in the Historic Haymarket District looking to buy something they didn’t know they needed until they saw it. A few shoppers are greeted with familiarity by vendors.
Fresh cut flowers, jewelry, bagged coffee, woodcut wall art. Each booth ignites a sense of discovery for something new at every glance.
If you’re feeling hungry while shopping, many food trucks offer nourishment from full meals to grab-and-go snacks. Preview what you can expect at an upcoming market via its 
The store is a sea of red. Mascot bobbleheads shake, and neon signs buzz as you walk by shelves of grill accessories, foam fingers, coolers, and more. Racks of t-shirts, available in sizes S to XXXL Tall, anchor the center of the showroom.
Ascend the stairs to the Tailgate Deck to comb through racks of casual ware ideal for rooting on your favorite Nebraska team.
Don’t worry—the store also celebrates the Game Day spirit by featuring scarlet red attire and fanny packs. Check out the sales racks in the back of the store for deep discounts.
Bring your camera to take photos with a backdrop of vibrant roses, flora, and public art. We witnessed people reading on park benches to the sound of the fountain’s falling water. In the distance, I spotted a giraffe feeding through the fence at the nearby 
The garden is free to explore and open to all ages. We watched as young children curiously discovered bronze statuary while other visitors admired blooming perennials.
We sat at a sunlit table indoors during lunch and enjoyed a Seared Salmon Nicoise salad and a Bistro Burger. The salad was impressive in size and flavor, and I’d order it again. The stacked burger was served with traditional toppings on a brioche bun with fries.
PRO TIP: Ask for a Brunch menu if dining Saturday-Sunday from 8:00 a.m. -3:00 p.m. Bar selections include a Piedmont Mimosa Pitcher for sharing amongst friends.
After entering a nondescript doorway, we flipped through a leather-bound book listing cocktails named after famous Nebraskans. Lively conversation at the bar ensued while we waited for our drinks: Malcolm Little and Johnny Carson.
You can expect the cocktail ingredients to match the interior’s vintage vibe. A seasonal menu features handcrafted cocktails with names like The Days Go By, Betty Rose, and Good Grief. I sipped a blanco tequila drink, Hot Donna, prepared with blackberry jalapeño syrup and lime saccharum while the sound of Barry White’s voice sang, “Can’t Get Enough of Your Love” through the lounge’s speakers.
I chatted with the barista, Garrison, who told me the café doubles as a cocktail wine bar appealing to patrons who want to enjoy an evening libation.
The interior is decorated with color murals, a prelude to the outdoor park’s intriguing public art installations.
PRO TIP: Attend 
Eventually, the town was the first home station of the Pony Express route west of St. Joseph, Missouri. As time passed, Marysville was the site of the Union Pacific Railroad’s line connecting Kansas City, Kansas, and Hastings, Nebraska.
PRO TIP: I defied blustery Kansas winds to admire artist Dr. Richard Bergen’s sculpture, and it was well worth viewing as the native grass well in the wind at its base. Don’t miss the chance to view three 
The old livery stables smell of straw, rusted farm tools, and dusty barn boards. Donated implements rest on shelving.
The post office is the oldest civilian post office in continual operation in the state, and its exterior marker honors this history, noting the contributions of the Pony Express founders Majors, Waddell, and Russell.
PRO TIP: Walk through the park to the stone historic marker honoring Marysville’s stop on the Oregon Trail. Traveling with kids? They’ll love using the castle-like playground equipment at the park, which also includes a nine-hole 
PRO TIP: The museum is open for tours from April through October. It is closed during the lunch hour from 12:00 pm-1:00 pm. Walk-ins welcome. Remember to sign the guest book after paying the 
And then I spotted the most interesting room of them all. The Jury Room.
PRO TIP: Voted Best Pie in Marshall County, don’t forget to buy a slice to go from the reach-in refrigerator.
The smell of home-cooked Chinese food permeated the theatre lobby. Specializing in Chinese entrees, Sandy’s Pantry also serves a few Mexican and American dishes. I chose the day’s special, Sweet and Sour Chicken, and sat in a retro diner booth to sip my fountain drink. My meal arrived steaming hot on a bed of white rice.
You could choose a Blue River Fish Sandwich or a Meat Lover’s Burger, which are probably fantastic, but then you’d miss out on perfectly grilled 14-ounce ribeye. I paired my steak dinner with a Blue Moon Belgian Ale (six domestic beers on tap) and enjoyed a leisurely dinner.
I struck up a conversation learning that not only is the store’s retail created entirely by Sue, but she also teachers individual and group pottery painting classes.
Whether you’d like to drop in and paint a pottery piece to take home or shop for ceramics, South Hill Pottery provides visitors with an immersive experience.
It’s the kind of place where women could spend a half day pampering themselves and then shop for a little something special.
The shelves are stocked with gifts for all ages, including toys for kids, Hallmark ornaments for collectors, and collegiate merchandise for sports fans.
The store has a decent amount of inventory, and you’ll likely find clearance items marked for sale each season.
PRO TIP: Take a photo with a black squirrel sculpture after placing your custom apparel order, which is available for pick-up the same day.
The inventory includes pendant, earrings, bracelets, and a classic bridal jewelry.
The building is a piece of art of its own. Built in 1903, the tall windows cast light indoors on the art gallery and studio workroom.
After a full day of exploring, my Airbnb retreat provided the modern, comfortable amenities I’ve come to expect from a rentable home.
I walked some of the trail’s northern edge during the cool early morning hours, enjoying the serenity periodically interrupted by bird sounds.
If you’re interested in traveling to Marysville when a 
The dynamic city, known as Nebraska’s capital and the home of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, completely surprised me. I mistakenly assumed I would find a cool hotel surrounded by a common college town with typical restaurants and bars. Nope! The city I experienced included hospitable people ready to lay out the red carpet. Whether someone is looking to dine on local cuisine or jam out to ’80s music while playing pinball in the Haymarket District, whatever you’re looking to do, Lincoln has it!
