Des Moines, IA bound. Quilt Shops Along the Way?
 

This summer I'll be heading to Des Moines, IA from southern MI. I plan my rest stops where quilt shops are located. Could you suggest some can't miss quilt shops along the way?

Thanks so much!

Sadly my favorite local (only a couple towns away) shop closed this year. I haven't done as much tourism by quilt shopping as you would think, especially with our trips to/from Grand Rapids.

Depending on when you are going, you might look at the Illinois 2025 Shop Hop list, is from August 1 until September 30. And is a good route planning list for whenever you may go!
https://allillinoisshophop.com/

The youngest in our sewing group wants to hit all of them this year, she got about 3/4 of them last year -- I said I'd be open to a road trip weekend going south towards St Louis, Missouri.

I'm living in Iowa, just a stones throw off Interstate 80 which is the hwy I'm guessing you will be taking as it's the main hwy that runs through the state. I have 4 shops for you that run along that hwy...
#1 The Little Red Hen in Muscatine, Iowa (my favorite)
#2 The Fabric Stasher Quilt Store in Tipton, Iowa
#3 Cotton Creek Mill in West Branch, Iowa (a few miles from #2)
#4 Inspired to Sew in Cedar Rapids, Iowa
#5 Sky Blue Quilt Shop in LeClare, Iowa....this is one I have not been to yet, but I hear good stuff about it.

If you are taking another route that opens up a whole new can of worms!!

There's one in Lake City, IA and another nice one in Jefferson, IA. The problem you'll have is that SR 30 to DesMoines is under construction between Jefferson and Boones which is on the was to Des Moines. Also, another quilt shop in Denison. You can get to Lake City on SR71, turn on SR175 and it takes you right to the front door. From there continue on SR175, turn on SR4 and it will take you to Jefferson, turn left when you see the A&W, go 2 blocks and turn right and it's in the middle of the block. Also a real nice fabric store in Ames. Once you can get back onto SR30, take the exit for Huff Street, turn left and once you pass the R.R. tracks turn left and turn a quick left and you can park in the back of the store. Of course right now I can't remember the names of these stores except the one in Jefferson is called The Stitch. We have a fairly new but small one here in Carroll called The Painted Pony and it's right across the street from the HyVee store.

I second all of LGJARN52's recommendations, especially Little Red Hen, Fabric Stasher, and Inspired to Sew. And will add -
Heritage Designs in Amana (small, carries lots of batiks)
Fern Hill in South Amana
(don't be thrown off by the gift shop you walk into - it's well worth the climb up the narrow steep stairs)

places I've not yet been to, or it's been a long time -
Prairie Quilt Studio in Urbana
Stitch & Sew and Willow Creek in Kalona (there's also a museum that displays many antique/vintage quilts)
The Woolen Needle and Rainbows and Calico Things in Williamsburg

And if you are coming (or going back home) through Dubuque direction, I haven't gotten to these yet -
Quilt This and Cotton Cabin in Dubuque
The Quilting Tree in Cascade
The Quiltmaker's Shoppe in Manchester

And there's a bunch in the DesMoines area, notably Woodside Quilting which sponsors PBS show Love of Quilting.
The All Iowa Shop Hop is going on until July 31. You might find this useful for finding more shops along the way, though there are shops not participating that you'd miss using only this information -
https://alliowashophop.com
I'd suggest searching for "quilt shops near" whatever towns you will be going through for more complete lists.

One of my favorite quilt shops is just off 80 in South Amana,
Fern Hill Gifts and Quilts is the home store for fabric designer Stephanie Brandenberg. I've been known to travel miles out of my way just to stop there. Beautiful quilts and I always leave there inspired.

Robert's Sewing Center in Crest Hill, IL has lots of fabric, 8000 bolts according to their website. I've gone there a couple of times. But stay away from Crest Hill proper, especially at night.
I watch Maureen O'Connor's YouTube channel a lot and would like to go visit her store someday. She owns the Quilter's Heaven in Northbrook, IL and is a Bernina dealer. Maybe too far out of the way though.
Harvest House Quilting is a house in a residential neighborhood, not far from me, I don't know any more than that, maybe just parking on the street?

P.S. I'm assuming you'll be traveling Hwy 80 through Illinois.

If you’re coming down 35, stop in Ames. The Quilting Connection has a large selection!

Sewing Etc. in Yorkville, Illinois is one of my favorites. Lots of fabrics. Big selection of jelly rolls, fat quarters, and panels.