When it comes to variety - of fabrics, of quilting gadgets, of quilt related gifts...this is my…read morego-to place in a 2hr driving radius of my home. It's about an hour from my house, but the place is packed full and has a wide variety.
I'm not a quilter, so I come for the odds and ends tucked in corners (coin purse hardware, different types of interfacing, etc). I also come for the advice. Sometimes staff can be a little curt (as people who do exacting things like quilting can be) but the owner has always be friendly and does her best when I bring my questions.
My challenge with this store is that it's a really compact space. It's hard for me (especially as a mixed materials artist who is usually looking for options, pushing boundaries and "drawing outside the line") to see everything that the store can offer. And, because they are often busy, it's hard for me to ask an associate who knows the inventory better to brainstorm with me. I wish they would expand into some of the other storefronts in town - maybe divide it up - quilt shop and quilting services, toy shop, sewing hardware and notions, sewing machines/repair and classroom, etc....order processing center, etc.
I'm not using a wheelchair or other mobility devices, but I am a larger person who likes to step back and scan. Because there is so much (well-organized, clean and lovely...but tons of stuff), it's hard for me to shop. Also, I'm a person who does "a little of this and a little of that" but there are no carts and very little room to set a stack of bolts.
My closest fabric shop is Field to Fabric in Winfield, KS. They have less inventory but a little more room and a little more time to talk. But, when I need something that I probably can't find at Hobby Lobby/Walmart and probably won't find at Field to Fabric, I run out to Wellington. When I need quilting gadgets/gifts, I run out to Wellington. When I want educational games/toys, I run out to Wellington.
They've stopped carrying some of the stuff that I used to run out there for (like wide chenille rick rack), but there is still a lot to consider and this area (from Ponca, OK up to Wichita and Hutchinson, KS) has a lot of independent fabric shops with specialty items. (Many are part of the Quilt Shop Hop KS/NE/etc...so one item here or there isn't a big deal to me.) For me, Beehive Quilt Shop still serves a purpose and I make the trip out there every few months.
For what it's worth, I do know that they do their best to accommodate out-of-towners and those with special situations when they know that they're coming. They also have online shopping. At one time they also had pick-up services (order and pick it up at the shop)...if that's something that you need. I think they also track what you've ordered before in case you need more (but call ahead if you need that...I might be wrong, like the pick-up option, it's not a service I use).
In any case, yes, I do visit this story. I do drive to Wellington specifically for this store. And, if you're headed to Wellington, anyway - for the Wheat Festival, the antique shops, even the Dollar Tree/Walmart, I'd at least stop by the shop to take a peek in the window. I hope they always keep the K'Nex Ferris Wheel that's been in that window for years.
And, if you need a quilting class, check with them. Last I checked, they do offer them. If you use a mobility device(s), you might check to see where the class is being held (if it's being held upstairs), but otherwise, it is one of the shops in the area that offers quilting classes for beginners, if all of this is new to you.
And, finally, if you are in the market for a new sewing machine or embroidery/quilting machine, they might be able to help you out. At one time I was shown their line of entry-level to high-end machines. The high-end ones are amazing. I don't know if they do trade-ins or maintenance/repairs...but if you're in the market for a machine, they do sell more than fabrics. You just have to find an associate so they can get you connected to the people who can take you over to the showroom next door to show you the selection.
