Rural Missouri - June 2024 - 29

" We've pulled in a
lot of people from
other states, and
we have a nice
following now. "
- Cheryl Bowling,
Top: The nine participating quilt shops pride themselves in carrying a variety of fabric and quilting
supplies guaranteed to inspire your next project. Above left: Since 2020, participants who
complete the trail have earned a commemorative charm. Above right: This quilt block kit from
Stitch and Clip Quilting in Lentner is one of the nine kits available on the trail this year.
The quilt trail was started a decade ago to help quilting
enthusiasts find these small-business shops that are a bit
off the beaten path, according to Cheryl Bowling, owner of
Stitch and Clip Quilting in Lentner. " We've pulled in a lot
of people from other states, and we have a nice following
now, " she says.
From Lenter to Lathrop, you can visit nine shops in
nine towns to collect quilt kits and stamp your passport
brochure, which are available at any of the shops. During
your visit, you can purchase a custom block kit to create
your own unique masterpiece. The 2024 trail kicked off
on April 1 and lasts through Oct. 31. This year the theme
is " Tea Time with Friends, " which inspires the design for
each of the quilt kits. Past years have included themes
such as baskets, churches and garden party.
Visitors from across the state and globe trek the trail
each year, says Effie Sickal, owner of Macon Quilts in
Macon. " We see visitors who visit a few shops in a day or
do an overnight trip and do the whole thing, " she says.
" I'm flabbergasted by where people come from. We've had
shoppers from as far away as Spokane, Washington, and
Nova Scotia. "
Participants who make a quilt from all nine blocks will
be entered to win prizes. Kelly Jones, owner of Cuts and
Bolts Fabrics in Chillicothe, says her favorite part of the
trail is seeing the final quilts participants create from the
Stitch and Clip Quilting
nine block kits. " Everyone's personality is different and
whether you're a quilter or painter your personality comes
out through your art, " she says.
Last year, Vicky Edwards of Richmond won the firstplace
prize. She and her husband were taking part in the
larger All Missouri Shop Hop, which includes around 100
quilt shops, and decided to focus on the Highway 36 trail.
" I had never been on the northern part of the state near
Hannibal, " she says. " So, this was a good excuse to visit
there. My husband and I had a lot of fun. "
Vicky's advice is to schedule plenty of time at each stop
to visit with the owner and fellow customers. Also, use
the trail as a way to challenge your quilting skills to make
something unique. " I like to make unusual quilts, " she
says. " Each shop had made a quilt that was on display to
give you ideas. "
For the fifth anniversary of the quilt trail, participants
who completed all the stops received a quilt charm. This
year the charm features a tiny tea pot. " Some people get
their passports just to get the charm, " Cheryl says.
Whether you win one of the prizes, add a charm to your
collection or just hit a store or two, plenty of fun awaits
you on the long-standing Missouri Highway 36 Quilt Trail.
" I've never seen a quilt trail go this long, " Kelly says. " People
are enamored by the fact we have so many quilt shops
within the four or five hours. "
JUNE 2024 | RURALMISSOURI.COOP 29

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Rural Missouri - June 2024

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