2026 Iowa Quilt Festival
Quilt Retreat: June 3-5
Airing of the Quilts: June 6
At the Iowa Quilt Museum, we’re already working on something special for the 2026 Iowa Quilt Festival—and we can’t wait to welcome you! Join us June 3–6 for a celebration of creativity, connection, and quilting in the heart of historic Winterset, Iowa.
The Festival kicks off with our beloved Quilt Retreat at the Winterset Livery, offering three days of quilting, camaraderie, and creativity. It’s the perfect time to gather your quilting friends and make a getaway of it.
In addition to the retreat, we’ll offer workshops, lectures, Quilt Trivia Night, and more engaging events throughout the week. Whether you’re joining us for a hands-on class, a fun evening gathering, or just a stroll through town, there’s a place for you at the Festival.
And don’t miss the grand finale:
Saturday, June 6 – The Airing of the Quilts
Winterset will be transformed into a quilt lover’s paradise as quilts are displayed on two of our iconic Covered Bridges of Madison County, as well as our beautiful historic courthouse, parks, churches, and in storefronts all around town.
We’ll be adding more details soon—including class listings, guest instructors, and ticket info—so check back often and make sure you’re signed up for our newsletter. Let’s make 2026 our most inspiring year yet!
Airing of the Quilts
From the famous Bridges of Madison County to our wineries, we’ll have quilts displayed throughout Madison County on Saturday, June 6.
Classes
We have a variety of classes to broaden your quilting knowledge. Classes will take place June 3-5, 2026 throughout Winterset, Iowa.
Quilt Retreat
Retreat June 3-5, 2026, you’ll get to quilt, chat and enjoy time in downtown Winterset, Iowa.
Volunteer
We’re looking for volunteers to help before, during, and after all four days of the 2026 Iowa Quilt Festival, including Airing of the Quilts on Saturday, June 6. If you’d like to be part of the fun, check out the opportunities here
Evening Activities & More
Date to be determined
Quilt Trivia
Time to be Determined
Location to be determined
Date to be determined
Quilting and the Art of What If
time to be determined
at Covered Bridges Winery
Nationally known quilt designer Tony Jacobson will be presenting his program “Quilting: the Art of What If.” In this hour-long presentation he will show you how to look at patterns in a different light. He will be present around 40 quilts showing you how different the same pattern can look by changing the colors, style of fabrics, and even switching up the values of the fabrics used in the background and the main prints. You will come away inspired to make every pattern uniquely yours.
Tony Jacobson is a former graphic designer/art director for 30 years with his last art director position being for Fons & Porter’s Love of Quilting Magazine. He is currently the Creativity Director for Piece Works Quilt Shop in Winterset, Iowa where he is constantly coming up with new patterns for the shop. Digital patterns can be found at PieceWorksQuiltShop.com/shop.
Piece Works Quilt Shop will be supplying gift bags for all those who pre-register for the program. There will also be door prizes given throughout the night. Covered Bridges Winery will supply a glass of wine (or beverage of your choice) and a individual charcuterie plate for all who pre-register as well. Also $5 of each ticket purchased will be donated to the Iowa Quilt Museum located in Winterset, Iowa.
Covered Bridges Quilters Guild Quilt Show
Date to be determined
Winterset Elementary School
Visit our local quilt guild’s 2026 Quilt Show at the Winterset Elementary School.
On display are a variety of quilts made by the members of the guild and they’ll also have their show garage sale to purchase great quilting supplies at a discount.
You can purchase tickets the day of the event or add it onto your Airing of the Quilts ticket.
Thank you to our 2025 IQF Sponsors!
Randall Parkin
Progressive Study Club
Star Ann Kloberdanz
Places to Stay
Charming Winterset, Iowa offers a variety of places to stay while attending the Airing of the Quilts quilt festival. From Air BnB’s, hotels and bed and breakfasts, there is something for everyone.
We have two hotels in Winterset. One is the Cobblestone Inn & Suites and the other Covered Bridge Inn.
Be A Sponsor of the Iowa Quilt Festival!
$250
Become a sponsor for one of our quilt display locations during the Airing of the Quilts on Saturday, June 7th. As a sponsor, your brand will be featured with signage at one display location, highlighted on a our social media channels and in our newsletter, and you’ll also have the opportunity to include your marketing materials in attendee bags.
$500
For $500, you have the opportunity to be the sole sponsor at a location of your choosing. In addition to the benefits of the $250 sponsorship, you will also receive four tickets to the Airing of the Quilts on June 7th and four vouchers for Quilt Museum t-shirts.
If the sponsorship levels don’t align with your goals, feel free to reach out to our museum director. We believe collaboration and flexibility create the best opportunities.