Top Myrtle Beach Quilt Shops, Guilds, and Quilting Retreats

Quilting Culture Thrives in Myrtle Beach

With its warm climate and vibrant tourism industry, Myrtle Beach has become a popular retirement destination for many quilters. These quilting enthusiasts have brought a rich culture of quilting groups, shops, and events to the area that rivals popular quilting meccas like Paducah, Kentucky. For quilters visiting Myrtle Beach, or those looking to settle down in the area, there is no shortage of quilt shops and vibrant quilting communities to get involved in.

Top Quilt Shops for Fabric and Supplies

Myrtle Beach is home to over a dozen quilt shops where both locals and visitors can find high-quality quilting fabrics, patterns, tools, and notions. Some of the top-rated and most popular quilt stores in Myrtle Beach include:

• HappyQuilts - This shop features an extensive collection of quality cotton quilting fabrics along with books, patterns, and notions. They offer classes for all skill levels.
• The Cotton Quilt - Specializing in reproduction fabrics, this shop has fabrics modeled after antique quilts. They also have supplies and provide longarm quilting services.
• Quilters Treasure - This shop carries fabrics from the industry's top designers. They have monthly club activities and also offer machine quilting services.
• Island Quilts - Located on Pawleys Island just south of Myrtle Beach, this shop has an eclectic fabric collection and monthly classes.

These quilt shops service both local quilters as well as visitors to the area. They provide opportunities to find inspiring fabrics while also connecting with the larger quilting community.

Quilting Groups and Bee Meetings

In addition to having numerous quilt shops, Myrtle Beach also has an active quilting group culture. Groups like the Strand Stitchers provide opportunities for local quilters to come together over their shared passion. There are also opportunities to join existing bees or start unique bees around specific types of quilting projects.

Here are some of the most active quilting groups in the Myrtle Beach area that welcome newcomers:

• Grand Strand Quilters Guild
• Strand Stitchers
• Georgetown Area Quilters Guild
• Waccamaw Quilters Guild

These guilds and groups allow quilters to gather, share knowledge, and work on projects together. Many local quilt shops listed above also facilitate bee meetings centered around various techniques like applique, paper piecing, or English paper piecing.

Quilt Shows and Exhibitions

Myrtle Beach quilters proudly display their work at several local quilt shows held annually. These judged quilt shows bring together hundreds of quilts from quilters across the region to compete for ribbons and cash prizes. They also provide an opportunity for the public to view gorgeous, one-of-a-kind quilted works of art.

Two of the most prestigious quilt shows include:

• Grand Strand Quilt Show
• Georgetown Quilt Show

In additional to these large competitive shows, many of the local quilt guilds and shops listed above also hold smaller quilt exhibitions throughout the year. These shows often coincide with peak tourism seasons to give visitors a taste of Myrtle Beach's quilting culture.

Quilt Retreat Centers Host Special Events

Myrtle Beach has several quilting and sewing retreat centers that cater to quilters by offering multi-day quilting events. Some of the top retreat centers include:

• Island Quilts Retreat Center
• Simply Sewing Retreat Center
• Stitchin' Heaven Quilt Retreat

These retreat centers give quilters a peaceful space to focus on their projects without everyday distractions. Centers offer amenities like private sewing rooms, shared lounge spaces, and dining options so quilters can fully immerse themselves.

Throughout the year, these quilt retreat centers host special event retreats centered around holidays, specific techniques, or led by guest instructors. Popular annual retreats include autumn and winter holiday events as well as machine quilting workshops.

Relocating? Quilting Groups Welcome New Members

As a popular retirement destination, Myrtle Beach attracts active retirees from quilting meccas like the American Midwest. These newcomers enrich the local quilting culture while also being welcomed by the many established quilting groups in the area.

So whether quilters are long-time Myrtle Beach residents or fresh transplants from the Midwest, the vibrant quilting culture provides plenty of opportunities to enjoy this rewarding craft and art form.

FAQs

What are the best quilt shops in Myrtle Beach for buying fabric?

Some of the best-rated quilt shops for premium quilting fabrics include HappyQuilts, The Cotton Quilt, Quilters Treasure, and Island Quilts located on Pawleys Island.

What types of quilting groups are there to join in Myrtle Beach?

There are several local quilting guilds like the Grand Strand Quilters Guild and Strand Stitchers. Quilt shops and retreats also facilitate bee meetings for things like applique, paper piecing, and English paper piecing.

When is the annual Grand Strand Quilt Show?

The Grand Strand Quilt Show is one of the largest judged quilt competitions in Myrtle Beach, held annually each spring, typically during the month of April.

What amenities do quilt retreat centers offer?

Quilt retreat centers like Island Quilts Retreat Center cater to quilters by providing private sewing rooms, lounge spaces, dining options, and multi-day special event retreats.

What are popular events at Myrtle Beach quilt retreats?

Some popular annual quilt retreat events include autumn and winter holiday retreats as well as intensive machine quilting skills workshops.