Bus Trip to International Quilt Museum: June 2
Quilt Retreat: June 3-5
Airing of the Quilts: June 6
We had a great week at the 2026 Iowa Quilt Festival! From the bus trip to the International Quilt Museum, to the retreat, classes, lectures, gallery reception, trivia night, and the Airing of the Quilts. With 24 quilt displays throughout Winterset, this was the largest number we have had to date. The beautiful weather this year was the perfect finishing touch.
We’re excited to announce the dates for the 2027 Iowa Quilt Festival. Mark your calendar for Thursday, June 9 through Friday, June 11 for our retreat, classes, and lectures, with the Airing of the Quilts on Saturday, June 12.
Be sure to check back here as we begin planning and updating the website with more information. Tickets for the retreat will officially go on sale on or after January 1, 2027.
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
Quilting and the Art of What If
June 5, 2026
5:00pm-7:00pm
Covered Bridges Winery
Nationally known quilt designer, Tony Jacobson, will be presenting his program “Quilting and 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 presenting 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. He will also show how making minor alterations to a block can make a big difference in the look of the quilt. 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 Owner & 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. Door prizes will also be 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. $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 Platinum and Gold Sponsors!
Thank you to our Silver Sponsors!
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 6th. As a sponsor, your brand will be featured with signage at one display location, highlighted on 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 6th 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.