Adventures of Msweehoo and the Witch: The All Michigan Shop Hop

Some adventures are planned. Some are stitched together at the last minute with good intentions and even better company. This one? Two days, two witches, and more fabric shops than was probably responsible.

My friend Staci — known to the internet as msweehoo — and I set out to tackle a region of the All Michigan Shop Hop over two days, and what followed was one of those trips that reminds you exactly why you fell in love with this craft in the first place.

The Mission

For the uninitiated, the All Michigan Shop Hop is exactly what it sounds like: a passport-style adventure through some of Michigan's most beloved quilt and fabric shops. You collect stamps, you discover new-to-you stores, and you inevitably come home with more fabric than you planned. (No regrets.)

Staci and I mapped out our region, packed overnight bags alongside our tote bags, and hit the road.

Day One

Day one set the tone immediately. Every stop had its own personality — from cozy cottage vibes to bright modern spaces packed floor to ceiling with bolts of fabric that made our eyes go wide. We oohed over colorways, debated precuts versus yardage, and may have spent a little too long in more than one notions section.

The people behind the counters were the real highlight. Shop owners who light up talking about their latest arrivals, staff who remember your name by the time you leave — that's the magic of the independent quilt shop, and Michigan has it in abundance.

By the time we checked in for the night, the back seat was already looking suspicious.

Day Two

We woke up ready to do it all over again. Day two brought more shops, more stamps, and the kind of easy road trip conversation that only happens when you're with the right person. We compared notes on what we'd found the day before, made a game plan, and promptly abandoned it when a detour looked promising.

Spoiler: the detour was worth it.

The Haul

I won't incriminate either of us with exact numbers. What I will say is that the back seat was significantly fuller on the way home than it was on the way out, and we have zero regrets about any of it.

Why Shop Hops Matter

Beyond the fabric (and the fabric is very important), shop hops are a reminder that this community is alive and thriving. Every shop you visit, every passport you stamp, every dollar you spend is a vote for keeping these spaces open. And Michigan's quilt shop scene is worth fighting for.

Staci and I are already eyeing the next region. If you see two witches with overstuffed tote bags at a shop near you — come say hi.

Have you done the All Michigan Shop Hop? Drop your favorite stops in the comments — we're always adding to the list.