If you love quilting, exploring new shops, discovering inspiration around every corner, and connecting with fellow makers, mark your calendar — the All Illinois Shop Hop™ returns this August and September, and Thimbles is thrilled to be part of the adventure!
Over two full months, you’ll travel across Illinois at your own pace, visiting participating quilt shops, collecting passport stamps, picking up free thank‑you gifts, and entering to win fantastic prizes. Plan several weekend road trips or a full statewide quilting tour to kick start your creativity and see the vibrant quilting community in action.
What Is the All Illinois Shop Hop?
The All Illinois Shop Hop is a two‑month, statewide quilting event featuring over 60 participating quilt shops. Your mission is simple: Visit shops. Get your passport stamped. Collect gifts. Win prizes. Have fun.
Every shop you visit offers a unique experience — new fabrics, fresh inspiration, friendly faces, and a special thank‑you gift just for stopping in. At Thimbles, as we are located on Route 66, the Benches in Lockport, we have an exclusive sticker to celebrate the Route 66 100 Year Celebration!
The Shop Hop is in‑person only, so you’ll need to visit each shop to receive your stamp and gift. That’s part of the magic — discovering new communities, exploring local shops, and enjoying the journey as much as the destination.
Your first step is picking up the 2026 All Illinois Shop Hop Magazine, available only at participating shops.
Inside, you’ll find:
- Your official passport (each person needs their own to qualify for prizes)
- State and regional maps to help plan your route
- Special shop hours for all participating stores
- Images of the exclusive Shop Hop fabrics (note: Thimbles is not carrying the 2026 collection)
- Patterns, articles, and quilting resources
- Prize listings and sponsor information
- An index of all participating shops
- And SO much more for your Great Sewing Adventures™ across Illinois
- The magazine is both a guide and a keepsake — something you’ll reach for long after the Shop Hop ends.
Plus, the Shop Hop website offers bonus patterns each year. These are free downloads posted shortly after the magazine goes on sale. Keep an eye on the patterns page and bookmark it for easy access.
How the Shop Hop Works
Here’s the simple breakdown:
- Pick up your magazine and passport at any participating shop.
- Visit shops across Illinois from August 1–September 30.
- Get your passport stamped at each stop.
- Collect free thank‑you gifts — every shop has something special!
- Turn in your completed passport to enter for prizes.
- Enjoy the journey — new shops, new inspiration, new memories.
There’s even a Youth Passport for kids ages 8–17. Young makers collect stickers instead of stamps and receive a special gift at the end of the event. It’s a wonderful way to encourage the next generation of sewists and quilters.
Welcome to Thimbles!
We’re excited to welcome hoppers from near and far! We love meeting new quilters and reconnecting with familiar faces. Stop in, say hello, and get your official stamp. While we are not carrying the 2026 Shop Hop exclusive fabrics, you’ll still find beautiful collections, new arrivals, and plenty of project ideas throughout the shop.
Our shop is located in an historic 1870’s building with over 3000 bolts of fabric. We are a full-line quilt shop with fabric, books, patterns and notions. While representing the entire line of BERNINA and Baby Lock sewing machines.
With more than 60 shops participating across Illinois, you can build a route that fits your schedule — a single‑day outing, a weekend getaway, or a full two‑month exploration.
The All Illinois Shop Hop is one of the most joyful, community‑building events of the year, and we can’t wait to be part of your adventure. Grab your magazine, gather your quilting friends, plan your route, and get ready for two months of inspiration, creativity, and fun.
Visit Thimbles between August 1 and September 30, 2026 — we’ll have your passport stamp and souvenir stickers ready!
