cashs_mom

I just looked it up. It's 12 hours for me :-(. Looks like I won't be making that trip anytime soon.

LGJARN52

We're in Eastern Iowa and I know it would be at least a 6 hour drive or more for hubby and myself. Plus an overnight somewhere as neither of us can drive for long periods of time without getting cramped up and needing to stretch out. He has offered to take me a couple of times, but I'd spend too much of my own money, and already have too much fabric. Still, I'm jealous. Enjoy your trip and let us know what you bought!

ktbb

my favorite shop is the solids/blenders shop, not sure of the name, but it's near or in the original Penny's store.....it's like walking into a box of colors with the white walls and solid/near solid fabrics.

maryb119

Missouri Star Quilts is an amazing place!! I would recommend comfortable shoes and lots of money. I didn't need any more fabric either, but I came home with a carload full. It's about 5 hours from here but definitely worth the trip!

Snooze2978

I'm in western Iowa, Carroll and won't be doing the driving. My neighbor went a couple weeks ago too and says it only took her 3.5 hrs but still that's 7 hours of driving in one day plus all the walking around the shops. Tomorrow I'll be dead on my feet for sure. Doubt I'll be doing any quilting. Finally working on my Allitaire quilt I made back in 2015. Yes, I know, that's a long time coming but my goal is to finish all the big, big quilts this year and I'm down to 4 now.

Iceblossom

Best of wishes for you on the trip. I had such fun on the sock hop adventures I took.

I know you are trying to restrain yourself, it does help to have specific things to look for, but if something special calls to you... just enjoy! If you do get a good haul, I will want pictures!!

Stay hydrated, and likewise, restroom breaks are important, as are comfortable shoes and clothing.

Onebyone

3.5 hrs but still that's 7 hours of driving in one day plus all the walking around the shops.

. Any reason it has to be done one one day? Plan for two days and enjoy the trip.

Snooze2978

I'm happy to say I survived the trip to Missouri Star Quilts. My friend's navigation system took us on the back roads going down in the dark and fog but we made it right on time when the stores opened up. She brought her dog so she walked around and then met her friend who had a yarn booth down the street from the Penney's store. We parked across the street for Penney's so that's where I started.

I had a photo of the Rick Rack quilt top on my photo so I showed them what I wanted to match up for the backing. They didn't have any backing but they did have fabrics to check out for the "flesh" color I was searching for. Didn't find anything though so headed to the next store and the next until I found the backing store. Showed those gals a photo of the Rick Rack quilt top and we found the perfect backing to go with it. I bought 3.5yds as I always like to have extra just in case I need it. I also tend to use the backing fabric when I make up the label so all you'll see is the wording in the corner. I also found a piece of fabric that might work for the "flesh" so picked up just a yard as that's more than enough for what I need it for.

Headed for another store, the "Batik" store and found yet another piece of fabric close to what could work for the flesh color so picked up a yard of it also. From then on, I just cruised thru the stores, then headed over to where I thought my friend was at the booths. Found out her friend sold out of all her yarn quickly.

We headed home around 1pm so yes, we didn't stay long but we did what we came to do. We stopped off just outside of DesMoines for lunch and got home by 3:30pm in time for my friend to take a short nap as she was going something else at 5:30pm with another neighbor. She doesn't stay home much. Me, as I have a bad hip right now, I decided to take it easy for the rest of the night. Today I'm doing laundry and I'll put the backing fabric up on a hanger next to the Rick Rack quilt top. The flesh fabrics will be stored into the project container until I have time to work on it.

Thanks all for your suggestions and hints. I can now take this trip off my "Bucket List".

I was a bit shocked at taxes on my receipt as there's a city tax, county tax and state ta adding up to 8.75% tax. OUCH! I pity Missouri folks.

Onebyone

She took her dog? LOL

Snooze2978

Yes, Onebyone, she takes her dog everywhere but he's a sweety, very small, a Shit Su or however you spell it. I saw other folks with dogs there too. When we went inside to eat on our way home, she put a couple windows down a couple inches, left the A/C running but locked the car so no one could steal him. There were no trees to park the car under to keep him out of the sun. Her son just recently lost his larger dog as he forgot he left him in the car all day while he was shopping and once he got home and realized his dog wasn't at home, he looked inside the car but it was too late. He was beside himself as he should have been but I still feel for his loss.