Join Hundreds of People at the 2023 Iowa Quilt Festival
May 31 – June 3, 2023 | Winterset, Iowa
The Iowa Quilt Festival, formerly known as the Airing of the Quilts, celebrates the history, tradition, and artistry of quilting in Iowa! To start off the festivities, we are offering a highly rated quilt retreat, classes, and Quilt Luminarium with Ricky Tims. We end the event with the grand finale of the Airing of the Quilts on Saturday where you’ll see hundreds of quilts displayed in dozens of historical and cultural landmarks across our picturesque county, including the famous “bridges of Madison County”. This unique event is one you won’t want to miss!
Retreat
Taking place May 31- June 2, you’ll get to quilt, chat and enjoy time in downtown Winterset, Iowa.
Special Events
Quilt Luminarium with Ricky Tims
Thursday, June 1, 1 PM to 5 PM and Friday, June 2, 8:30 AM to 5 PM.
A comprehensive quilt symposium that demystifies seemingly complex concepts, teaches mastery of unique techniques and harnesses the power of the ever-elusive muse of creativity.
Participate in two entertaining days and six sessions with Rick Tims, quilting legend and entertainer to learn how to conquer techniques and concepts you may currently shy away from. Courses include:
- Quilting Caveman Style
- Convergence Quilts
- The Elusive Muse Parts 1 & 2
- The Music in My Quilt & Designing Patchwork
- No Pins Precision Curved Piecing
- Foundation String Piecing
- Fabric Dyeing
- Rhapsody Quilts
- Outline Applique
After this course, you will take home a complete workbook of everything Ricky discusses so you can explore the techniques on your own.
With purchase of the Quilt Luminarium course, you also receive a complimentary ticket to the Saturday, June 3 Airing of the Quilts and free admission to the Iowa Quilt Museum for your entire visit.
Quilts, Wine & What Ifs
Friday, June 2
5:00 to 7:00 pm
Tony Jacobson, nationally known quilt designer and Creative Director for Piece Works Quilt Shop in Winterset, will be presenting his program Quilting: the Art of What If. In this hour-long presentation, he will 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.
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 an individual charcuterie plate for all who pre-register as well.
Registration opening soon.
Covered Bridges Quilters Guild Quilt Show
Friday, June 2 – 9 am to 5 pm
Saturday, June 3 – 9 am to 4:00 pm
Visit our local quilt guild’s 2o23 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 $5 tickets the day of the event or add it onto your Airing of the Quilts ticket.
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.
-Overnight Stay with fantastic courthouse view
-Perfect for a group of creative people wanting to gather and have a space close to all the activities
-116 N 1st Ave Winterset, IA 50273
We’ve set up a room block at the Cobble Stone Inn & Suites in Winterset for the 2023 Iowa Quilt Festival. The rate is $139.99 per night.
Call 515-462-4889 to book a room and tell them its for the 2023 Iowa Quilt Festival. Or book a room online.
Thank you to our sponsors!
Tony & Jeanne Jacobson