Lickety Stitch Quilts stands out as a community staple in the small town of Lusk Wyoming.
Named the Regional Winner for Wyoming in both the 2023 and 2024 Local Quilt Shop Contests, this shop stands as a testament to the power of communal spirit and perseverance.
While today they boast a large storefront and consistent customer base, the shop has humble beginnings that started over 14 years ago.
Back then, this charming store transformed an old coffee shop into a cozy quilting space.
But in 2015, disaster struck when a historic flood swept through Lusk, severely impacting the shop, which was uninsured against flooding.
The fabric inventory took a heavy hit, and for a time, many worried the shop might not pull through.
However, the Lickety Stitch team didn’t give up. With determination and the support of their community, they washed the damaged fabric, dried it in a nearby park, and pushed forward with even greater resolve.
By 2017, the store expanded into a remodeled historic bank next door.
And in 2023, they were able to acquire the building on the other side, solidifying their place in the community.
Today, the Lickety Stitch Quilts storefront spans 3,500 square feet, with an additional 1,000 square feet dedicated to classes.
“One year, I waited until the last minute to buy my wife a gift certificate for Christmas. When I saw one of the employees at the grocery store and told her my predicament, she went back to the store and opened it to allow me to purchase a gift certificate. They are some of the nicest people you will ever meet.” ~ Royce
What Makes Lickety Stitch Quilts Special
Quilters flock to Lickety Stitch for its extensive inventory, which includes a fantastic variety of western and wildlife prints, batiks, and cozy minkee fabric.
It’s also stocked with a full range of quilting supplies, notions, kits, and patterns. Plus, the shop provides long-arm quilting and binding services.
Beyond the goods and services, what makes Lickety Stitch truly special is the team that runs it.
This team includes Sarah, Joan, Jane, and Susie. The Lickety Stitch crew brings warmth and expertise to each customer visit!
The team is led by owner, Karen Wisseman, and her husband Dave.
Karen has sewn all her life, learning from her mother and grandmother over 50 years ago.
She has a life-long interest and love for fabric and sewing machines that is evident in her quilts and fabrics carried in the shop.
Karen’s love for fabric, instilled by her mother and grandmother, shines through in the shop’s fabric selections and in her willingness to share quilting tips, whether through quick advice or full-on sewing classes.
“Karen is always willing and ready to help me solve my sewing problems. I’ve never left the store without my issues being resolved.” ~ Sandra
One of the shop’s standout features is its vibrant quilting community. Regular classes bring locals and visitors together, and, for those craving more, Lickety Stitch’s bi-annual “Quilt-til-You-Wilt” retreats draw quilters from near and far.
These retreats have become memorable experiences for attendees, like Kelly, who says, “It’s a great opportunity to quilt with old and new friends, and I always learn new things.”
And for Rosy, the retreat experience was worth a four-hour round trip after watching Karen and Jane’s Facebook videos.
Shop Big in a Small Town
Despite its popularity, Lickety Stitch is tucked away in the least populated county of the least populated state in the U.S.
This rural setting adds to its charm, offering visitors the chance to enjoy a slower pace and take in Wyoming’s open spaces, ranches, wildlife, rodeos, and even dinosaur fossils.
So whether you decide to quickly stop by on your route to somewhere else or make a full day out of your visit, make sure to stop in to Lickety Stitch Quilts.
