This past winter, I was contacted by the Missouri Star Quilt Company to see if I’d be interested in re-creating one of Jenny Doan’s past quilt tutorials from the MSQC YouTube channel. I’m a fan of Jenny and it sounded fun. Today I’m sharing the quilt I chose to re-boot – the Missouri Star block. (Duh! What else would I choose?) You can read more about the quilt, my fabric choices, and get a link to the original video tutorial on the Missouri Star blog.
When I accepted the opportunity and scheduled the post for May, little did I think that I would get to visit the whole Missouri Star Quilt Company live and in person before I wrote this post!
As I mentioned in my Spring Break wrap-up, our family took a trip through the mid-west – including a drive across Missouri. I knew that the MSQC was in a little town in Missouri, but didn’t realize until days before we left that we’d be driving right past that little town, Hamilton.
I contacted Sarah, one of Jenny’s daughters, to let her know that we were passing through and I’d love to say hi. She told me where to stop first and when I walked into a building used mostly as an office, there was Jenny herself, sewing away. You know how surreal it is to walk in on a real, live person that you’ve watched on a screen multiple times? Well, that is exactly how it felt.
Jenny and another daughter Natalie ended up taking me on a grand tour of all of the shops, restaurants, offices, warehouse, and retreat center. It was just amazing to see how a quilting business could take over the whole main street in downtown Hamilton, Missouri. Did you know they have 11 individual stores on Main Street. Some of the shops are connected to each other, some are across the street. You can see the whole list of shops here. 
Each store has it’s own theme such as Reproductions, Batiks, Licensed (think sports teams and cartoon characters), machines and notions, and extra-wide backings. Above is the MSQC Kids and Baby store. Here’s a glimpse of a few more of them.
Missouri Star Modern
MSQC Floral Shop – all floral fabrics and collections
This shop is called Penney’s Quilt Shop and contains all basics, mostly in solids, including Cuddle fabric. It’s housed in an old JC Penney store, hence the name.
Check out this amazing space above the Penney Quilt Shop – this is what a lot of the spaces looked like before MSQC restored them. So much beautiful natural light and amazing architectural detail and potential. Even the original metal ceiling tiles.
I also got a tour of the Sewing Center – a whole building set up for sewing retreats complete with a kitchen, sewing tables and lots of bedrooms. Little Hamilton has become a quilting destination with people coming from all over the world. The planning and details of the retreat center were so well thought out. (I especially liked that I would have my own bed. 😉 ) The center is in use constantly with upcoming trunk shows and retreats scheduled months out.
Another genius addition was a storefront called Man’s Land. This was outfitted with leather recliners, a pool table, a tv, magazines, and vending machines. (and a bathroom). This is where all husbands (and children) can comfortably kill time while their favorite quilter visits all 11 quilt shops. 🙂 I’m just sayin’. My own dearly beloved ones were very glad of this space and it definitely bought me a lot more time to look around.
We also partook of the restaurants MSCQ has brought to town including the Burger shop and the Bakery. (Sweet rolls from the Bakery were another very helpful bribe/reward for patient behavior.)
So there’s just a glimpse of the many quilty sights and wonders to behold in Hamilton, Missouri! It’s become a quilting mecca. If you ever get the chance to go, do it!
PS: Can you find the hidden Missouri Star quilt blocks in the two pictures above?
And if you’re now inspired to create some big Missouri Star quilt blocks of your own, check out the link to the tutorial and more pictures and steps of my project on the MSQC blog. I’m so pleased with how this quilt turned out.
I’m kind of a sucker for large, graphic star blocks. I’m definitely making this pattern again, only this time making a bigger quilt! The cool quilting was done by Melissa of Sew Shabby Quilting. Thanks Melissa! I used 100% cotton batting. I’ve since washed the quilt to make it all soft and wrinkly. It’s perfect for naps or picnics or lacrosse games. (I even used it for my Sunday afternoon nap yesterday.) Can’t wait to carry it around all summer.
duringquiettime
What a fun trip! I would love to go there someday.
Karen Goad
Thanks so much Amy for this post. I stopped at the shop about 3 years ago when all of this was in the process – there was just one store and the building of the retreat center was going on across the street. I knew some of this was planned but kind of forgot about it and never went back – I think I am about 5 hours away. I will have to plan another stop at this place it isn’t too far of a detour on our trips to Wisconsin to visit our daughter.
Robby
I’ve been looking forward to this post since I saw a glimpse on IG. You did a wonderful job showing off MSQC and that gorgeous new quilt. Very inspiring. Thanks for taking us along.
tisha @ quiltytherapy
Adding this to my list of places to visit. Those details for the husbands and kids are perfect.
Rachel
Looks like a fantastic destination! I hope I remember to route myself there if I ever do a cross country trek.
Terry
Had a great time when we visited there..got to meet Jenny and have a pic taken with her…so much fun to shop in all their stores!!! It was nice to see how she and her family have revitalized this small town :o)
Daniela
What a nice representation of MSQC and quilt block. It is a nice place to visit. Thanks!
Marlene
Love your quilt. I had no idea how bit MSQC was-thanks for the tour.
Karen Seitz
I always love your travelogue posts. Your photos are great. Thanks for letting us travel vicariously through you.
Judy Sturm
I love your quilt, and I’m not especially fond of star quilts, but your color selection was so good that it really inspired me. Was the background fabric a taupe or more gray? I couldn’t be sure from the picture. Thanks so much for sharing you beautiful quilt and you Hamilton adventure.
We are planning a trip to Texas soon (coming from Michigan), and I also had in mind a sidetrip to Hamilton–hubby doesn’t know it yet, but he will enjoy the men’s hangout.
Little Quiltsong
Amy, Thank You for sharing!! What a special occasion to meet Jenny and many of her family, in person – and tour all the quilt shops and retreat that they have created. That is one of my wishes too – maybe some day! You made a beautiful quilt – really love the gray background with the star colors you chose. Melissa did a wonderful job of quilting it.
Anita
Like I said on IG, freaking amazing. Love the chameleon quality to it. Well done, Amy.
Bristol Sunset
Thank you, thank you, thank you! I loved the tour, I love Jenny & MSQC, and I love your quilt. Maybe someday I’ll get to make it to Hamilton…but making a Missouri Star quilt block is a definite.
I always enjoy your blog and your quilts. Thanks for giving me a bright start to my days.
Buffy
I love the fabric choices in this quilt…really warm and cozy. Thanks for the tutorial…on my list!!!
Louise
How fun! I’d love to go someday. When I helped my daughter move from Indiana I was hoping to stop, but alas it was too late when we passed by Hamilton. Thank you for giving me a vicarious experience with Jenny! I’m seriously jealous. I love your quilt! The grey backgrounds you use make such a different look — really modern and chic.
Rebecca Grace
I love your Missouri Star, Amy! And who knew Missouri had so much to offer quilt-wise? My husband is always trying to get me to agree to a cross-country road trip with the kids. Maybe if I planned it all out as a cross-country shop hop… Mwahahahaha! Especially with your tips about where to get burgers and baked treats for the kiddos!
Karen
Terrific quilt! I never think about using a non-white/low volume background, and this one is great. Thanks so much for the tour, too!
Tierney Davis Hogan
Darn it! I promised myself not to sign up to follow any more quilter blogs but yours is very yummy and I really enjoyed this post! I love how you link your “My Quilts” to Pinterest – brilliant!
Amy Smart
Thank you! And welcome!
Mary
That would be a dream trip. Love your updated Star quilt.
Carol Poelman
Nice quilt! Love the colors. Have you seen the show “Turning Point” on BYUTV? I saw that there is an upcoming episode featuring Jenny Doan! If you haven’t seen the show, this is your chance. 🙂 It’s one of my favorites. It airs on May 22 and 23.
Amy Smart
Oh that’s so awesome! Thanks for the head’s up – I can’t wait to watch!
Doris
What a joyous day for you. Thanks for the visit 🙂
Nena
Just lovely! Would you please share the color and manufacturer of the background grey? It is just such a nice neutral. I have enjoyed your website now for a very long time – congrats on all your successes! Thank you.
Amy Smart
Thanks so much for your kind words, Nena.
The background color is a Peppered Cotton from Studio E in True Taupe. I loved working with it!
Vivian
What did you use for the back side? Love updated version. Thanks.
Amy Smart
I used a solid orange: Kona Carrot.
Vivian
I thank you so much. I have 2 yards of a Kona khaki as my background where you used taupe. I’m a bit confused because I love all the solid color–not sure how to adapt to Jenny’s pattern. Is 2 yards enough? I love the more modern look. I’m a relatively new quilter–made 5 now. I learn so much from each one.
Vivian
I figured it out. Your photo helped so much. I made my first block. And I’m using Kona Khaki as background. Can’t wait for your Craftsy class. Thanks again for your inspiration.
Marianne Whetstone
My friend I drove from Maryland to Hamilton Starr Quilr Co. shopped for fabric wonderful stores, but not the warn fuzzy atmosphere you would expect from watching utube. Cashiers were friendly but it was just like shopping in any store. No friendly cup of coffee or anything extra. Every little thing had a price tag. No thank you for driving so far to see us. Traveling back home stopped at the many Quilt shops along the way. They were so friendly and happy to see us and took time to chat and show us samples of what they made. We spent time and money at these shops. It was fun.
Diane L Collins
I went to Hamilton last September and didn’t want to leave..I was on a road trip by myself and spent 3 days there..I bought so much fabric I will be making quilts for years and I keep ordering more from Missouri star.
Amy
Oh, that’s fantastic! Isn’t that place inspiring? I can totally understand why you got enough fabric to make quilts for years! 😉
SANDRAHAMER
I would rather see the background in a white,your blocks would sparkle grey is a made up color and is in the drab group anytime you put grey in something it pulls life away from color and Grey’i’s like depression on steroids ,for what ever reason young people like grey,ask them why,because a designer has decided to push that and it’s new to youthwhat a world it would be if every thing was grey it has no life in it
Barbara ottaway
Some day soon it’s on my bucket list to go to Hamilton