The Quilting Capital Of Missouri Is One Of The Most Charming Small Towns You'll Ever Visit
By Beth Price-Williams|Updated on March 24, 2024(Originally published July 19, 2023)
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Beth Price-Williams
Author
A professional writer for more than two decades, Beth has lived in nearly a dozen states – from Missouri and Virginia to Connecticut and Vermont – and Toronto, Canada. In addition to traveling extensively in the U.S. and the U.K., she has a BA in Journalism from Point Park University (PA), a MA in Holocaust & Genocide Studies from Stockton University (NJ), and a Master of Professional Writing from Chatham University (PA). A writer and editor for Only In Your State since 2016, Beth grew up in and currently lives outside of Pittsburgh and when she’s not writing or hanging out with her bunnies, budgies, and chinchilla, she and her daughter are out chasing waterfalls.
We all know Missouri is known for some of the world’s largest things – goose, fork, and pecan, for example. Some of its small towns have also earned a nod as the “world capital of…” Branson’s called the live entertainment of the world. Norborne calls itself the soybean capital of the world, and the charming small town of Hamilton, Missouri has earned props as the quilting capital of the world.
Every year thousands of quilters from around the United States, and the world, make the pilgrimage to Hamilton, the quilt capital of the world. Some even call Hamilton "the Disney World of Quilting."
With a population of just under 1,700, Quilt Town USA is a fascinating destination, even if you're not a tried and true quilter.
Start your adventure at The World's Largest Spool of Thread, on the corner of Missouri Quilt Museum's lawn. Don't forget to bring your camera to capture this Hamilton favorite since 2018.
Missouri Quilt Museum, 300 E Bird St, Hamilton, MO 64644, USA
The massive spool of thread stands 22 feet, has a diameter of eight feet, and boasts more than one million threads. (That number will keep growing, too.)
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Since you're already at the Quilt Museum, head inside to explore. The museum spans 30,000 square feet. Because its 20 exhibits are always rotating, you'll be able to discover something new each visit.
A visit to the Quilt Museum is sure to inspire you to start your own project. Stop by Missouri Star Quilt Company, one of the largest quilt shops in Missouri.
Missouri Star Quilt Company, 114 N Davis St, Hamilton, MO 64644, USA
Hamilton is known for something else, too. The charming small town is the home of James Cash Penney, who started JCPenney. You can visit the JCPenney Museum in town.
While Penney had left Hamilton by the time, he's still revered in his hometown.
A trip to Hamilton also means plenty of good eats. If you're hungry for an old-fashioned meal at a family-style restaurant, pull up a chair at Kathy's Kitchen.
Kathy's Kitchen, 408 N Davis St, Hamilton, MO 64644, USA
Have you been to the charming small town of Hamilton? When do you think is the best time to visit Hamilton, Missouri? Whether your main reason to visit the quilting capital of the world is because you are an avid quilter, or simply to enjoy a beautiful fall getaway, this lovely small town is a delightful place to visit. Share some of your experiences with Hamilton, and what you found interesting to do there with a comment.
