Paducah: Fabric, Quilts and Fun!

Postcard by Ephemera of Paducah, KY

(photo: Postcard produced by Ephemera of Paducah, KY)

Last weekend I got to check something off of my “Quilting Bucket List”. I visited Paducah, Kentucky! Twice a year in the spring and fall, tens of thousands of quilters and quilt enthusiasts convene in this small city for Quilt Week, produced by the American Quilt Society. I missed Quilt Week by a couple of weeks (which meant it was much quieter, so I could probably enjoy it more).

Fun fact: one of my quilts visited Paducah a couple of years before I did! My Big Love quilt (below) won a third place ribbon at AQS Quilt Week/Paducah in 2016.

Here are the highlights from my day trip to Paducah:

 

• Hancock’s of Paducah:
First stop was this MEGA fabric shop about 10 minutes from downtown. You certainly can’t miss Paducah’s—the entry sign is enormous and is certainly in proportion to the size of the building and selection!
Hancock's of Paducah Entry Hancock's of Paducah Building

Hancock's of Paducah Interior
The main part of the building… this photo doesn’t even capture how large the store is!
Hancock's of Paducah Fabric!
All of the fabric is arranged by manufacturer… and there is A LOT!
Hancock's of Paducah Fabric!
I LOVE how they organize all of their Kona Solids—alphabetical. This was the first time I ever saw this type of organization of fabric!
Hancock's of Paducah Pre Cuts
Like precut fabric? This is THE place to be!
Hancock's of Paducah Pre Cuts
Hancock’s has racks, upon racks of precuts!
Hancock's of Paducah Pre Cuts
Kits, kits and more kits! All organized neatly.

• The National Quilt Museum
From the outside, The National Quilt Museum looks underwhelming. Don’t judge this book by it’s cover! This world-class museum contains three main galleries and rotates exhibits 7-8 times a year. In a future blog post, I’ll be sharing my favorite quilts from my visit, but in the meantime here are some photos from my visit.
The National Quilt Museum Building The National Quilt Museum Entrance The National Quilt Museum Entrance The National Quilt Museum Main Gallery

The National Quilt Museum Main Gift Shop: Butterfly Bunch Foundation Paper Piecing pattern by Whole Circle Studio
No trip to a museum is complete without stopping in the gift shop. I was completely floored when I spotted by Butterfly Bunch quilt pattern for sale at the Museum!

• Cute shops!
Paper Pieces (the leading English Paper Piecing template company!)
If you visit, call ahead—unless it’s Quilt Week, the shop is open by appointment only since they recently expanded and moved to a warehouse space outside of town. I was lucky enough to visit the warehouse early in the day—(hint, hint: there may be an upcoming collaboration in the works!)
Paper Pieces of Paducah: English Paper Piecing patterns

Must Stitch Emporium
A super cute quilt and cross stitch shop!
Must Stitch, Paducah, KY Must Stitch, Paducah, KY

Bricolage Art Collective
A consignment shop for local artisans. I picked up a tshirt I couldn’t live without here: “We Quilt This City” with an antique sewing machine.
Bricolage Art Collective, Paducah, KY Bricolage Art Collective, Paducah, KY Bricolage Art Collective, Paducah, KY

Ephemera
This studio space hosts arts and crafts workshops with national art instructors! I’m a sucker for art and craft supplies and loved browsing everything they offer, including letterpress postcards they have produced under their own label
Ephemera of Paducah Ephemera of Paducah
Letterpress postcards produced by Ephemera of Paducah

• Good Eats!
Kirchoff’s Bakery & Deli
Lots of sandwich options (the majority with meat!). I opted for the classic Grilled Cheese.
Kirchoff's, Paducah, KY

Etcetera Coffee
Iced Lattes and Brownies? Yes please!
Etcetera Coffee, Paducah, KY Etcetera Coffee, Paducah, KY

Have you been to Paducah?
Do you have any other highlights to share? Please comment below!

 

Check out all must see quilting hotspots and highlights of this quilting city—Paducah, Kentucky, Home of AQS Quilt Week, quilt shops, antique shops, boutiques and the National Quilting Museum. Check out all must see quilting hotspots and highlights of this quilting city—Paducah, Kentucky, Home of AQS Quilt Week, quilt shops, antique shops, boutiques and the National Quilting Museum.

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3 Comments

  1. Paducah is a dangerous place for one’s pocketbook!! I was wandering briefly downtown and walking into one of the many “antique” shops. Lo and behold I heard a rather sweet but mechanical voice calling my name. Yes, it was a Featherweight calling for attention. While I am not a collector and already had a Feathy at home, I could not resist the voice calling my name. I named her after my Mother of blessed memory as perhaps she herself was calling to me via a Featherweight as she herself had sewed on hers. Sadly, when settling her estate little did I know I would come to love featherweights so did not keep hers. So of course, the Paducah Featherweight is called Helen. Am bound for Paducah for a Featherweight workshop. I will NOT be purchasing another no matter who calls my name!! I’ll buy some fabric instead.

    1. Hi Deinya! Thanks for for sharing your Paducah story. It is a great place to stroll (and yes, it could be dangerous for your purse!). Hope you’re enjoying Helen. Be well, Sheri

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