More Than Quilts : A Quilt Shop Spotlight

A Quilt Shop Spotlight

While mom and I were on our cross country road trip in the summer of 2021 we ventured through a little town in the middle of Nebraska with a very sordid past and an amazing little quilt shop! Welcome to More Than Quilts!

October of 2013, a little quilt shop was born. At that time Mary was just the manager. However, after only being open for 1 month the owner decided the quilt shop life was not for her. So, Mary took over and brought More Than Quilts to life!

Located in the historical town of Sidney, Nebraska, More Than Quilts offers both locals and travelers a beautiful selection of fabrics, notions and tons of goodies. Can’t find what you’re looking for? No worries! Mary will find it for you.

Mary wasn’t always a quilter. In fact, she spent most of her life as a seamstress making clothes for her and her family. It wasn’t until a fateful move to Germany when her husband encouraged her to learn to quilt. And wouldn’t you know it? It stuck!

During the COVID shutdowns, More Than Quilts was considered ‘essential’ right from the beginning. So Mary, her husband and friend Rita began filling orders for masks from the local hospital, farmers co-op and more. Over all they made well over 600 masks for the community. This really is a family and community centered quilt shop!

If the quilt shop wasn’t enough of a reason to stop in Sidney, Mary let me in on the sordid past of this seemingly quiet little town.

Founded in the late 1800’s, like many other midwestern towns, Sidney began as a stop on the Union Pacific railroad. It quickly became known as “Sinful Sidney” because of the number of bars and hotels located there. And let’s just say the ‘worlds oldest occupation’ was well established in the town.

As the story goes, underneath the town is a series of old steam tunnels. And the ‘ladies of the night’ used to use those tunnels to walk back and forth so they wouldn’t disturb the more upscale towns folk above ground. If those streets and buildings could talk. I can only imagine the stories they’d tell!

Around Halloween time the town operates a ghost tour where you can hear all the fun stories of Sidney’s past. Including a rather horrendous one involving a hanging tree. But I’ll let them tell you about that one.

So, if you’re in the mood for some fun, history and a little quilting, More Than Quilts in Sidney, NE should be top of your list!

Classes and Services

Not only can you find a fabulous fabric collection at More Than Quilts Shop, including some amazing Nebraska themed fabric, but the shop also offers:

Beginner Quilt Classes
Alterations
Makes quilts for customers
Quilt repair
and more!

To Contact More Than Quilts Shop

Website: https://www.facebook.com/Morethanquilts/
Email: morethanquilts@aol.com

1044 Illinois St, Sidney, NE 69162
(308) 203-1600

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