The Prairie Quilt Guild of Wichita, Kansas hosts a quilt room tour every other year. The guild members visit five sewing rooms of individuals who quilt so that we can gather ideas for our own creative spaces and be more efficient and productive. It’s a fun time for my friends and I to make a day of checking out sewing rooms. Sheri, the driver of our group, went over and above in decorating her vehicle with quilts, pillows, reading materials and treat bags.

Sheri’s van

Wanda Hiebert, a long-arm quilter

Lisa Johnson, owner of Picket Fence Quilt Co.

Sheri Schoenebeck, our driver and sewing machine educator whose quilt was accepted to the Paducah Quilt Show

I have a theory that I call “The Complete Shopping Experience” that is an unforgettable retail experience at quilt stores. The quilt shop owner should think of it as a vacation for her customer from the curb to the cash register. Guiding the consumer through the perfect shopping trip requires signage that is easy to read, eye contact and a welcoming smiling, fresh and clean displays, the feeling of home and an invitation to return.

Here are some photos that I’ve taken on my shopping journeys that encompass the complete shopping experience:

Golden Quilt Company in Golden, Colorado: Friendly shop owner, finished binded quilt models on display, quilt model hanging low enough to touch

The Quilt Shoppe in Stewartsville, Missouri: Halloween-themed bed display, bright red wall, various sizes of project ideas, enticing and welcoming exterior

Harper’s Fabric and Quilt Co. in Overland Park, Kansas: Fresh fabrics, quilts and patterns, friendly and knowledgeable staff