You get one chance every year to admire quilts on the famous “Covered Bridges of Madison County, in Winterset, Iowa. That chance is during our Airing of the Quilts event on Saturday, June 3, 2023, from 10:00 AM – 4 PM, showcasing over 250 quilts. Meander through the rolling hills of Madison County, Iowa, to find your own creative inspiration at each of our quilt displays. From our historic downtown to the famous Covered Bridges, visitors will surely find a favorite or two among our outdoor quilt festival.
If you’ve registered for the event, you will receive an email a week or two before the Airing of the Quilts with more information about events and a map of where the quilts and other events are taking place.
Central Iowa Modern Quilt Guild
Cedar Covered Bridge
We are thrilled to have The Central Iowa Modern Quilt Guild at the 2023 Airing of the Quilts in the Cedar Covered Bridge.
The Central Iowa Modern Quilt Guild (CIAMQG) develops and encourages the art and craft of modern quilting through educational and philanthropic opportunities.
Selections from QuiltCon 2023
Cutler-Donohoe Covered Bridge
See top-tier quilts from QuiltCon 2023 a popular Modern Quilt Guild juried show.
Presented by The Modern Quilt Guild, QuiltCon is the largest modern quilting show of its kind. Each year, thousands of attendees come to see hundreds of modern quilts on display, including a juried quilt show with entries from MQG members around the world.
Iowa Quilt Museum Board & Committee Member Quilts
Holliwell Covered Bridge
You’ll get to see a variety of quilts made by the Iowa Quilt Museum’s board and committee members quilts. These quilts will range from traditional, modern, and art quilts.
Jody Sanders
Hogback Covered Bridge
Come see 20 quilts from Jody Sanders’ personal vintage quilt collection.
Cora Drew Ritter
Outside, Looking In
Cora has taken on a project that has become such a personal and courageous effort for her in trumpeting the importance of mental health through one of her significant talents. Quilting. Her powerful mental health advocacy project tells mental health stories important to her and these stories in quilts will all be displayed at the Delirium Gallery during the Iowa Quilt Festival.
Des Moines Area Quilter’s Guild
Madison County Winery
Marvel over the Des Moines Area Quilter’s Guild quilts at the beautiful Madison County Winery and then grab a glass of wine while you take in the gorgeous Iowa landscape.
Melanie McNeil
Winterset Art Center
Melanie McNeil brings a joyful burst of color to the Winterset Art Center. Melanie is a quilter, speaker, and expert in medallion quilt design. With a dozen quilts, she celebrates the medallion form with a vibrant, playful twist to lift your heart.
Ricky Tims
Iowa Quilt Museum
Your Airing of the Quilts ticket also gets you in to see our Timestamps exhibit showcasing Ricky Tim’s quilts over his career.
Historical Winterset Quilts
Madison County Historical Complex
Original quilts on view have been selected from the museum’s extensive artifact collection and placed on view at Zion Church. Enjoy the array of patterns, colors, and ages of these important textiles!
The Madison County Historical Complex sits on 25 acres and features a museum along with 12 other historic and educational buildings all nestled into a very walkable area surrounded by green space and trees. We interpret the wide range of the county’s history from quilts to farm equipment, basketball trophies to toys, and business memorabilia to photographs. Open daily May 1 through October 15 – come see us on The Hill!
Ankeny Area Quilters Guild
Presbyterian Church
View quilts made by one of our member guilds the Ankeny Area Quilters Guild. Eat in or Go! Sack lunch is available between 11 am-1 pm and includes chips, cookies, fruit, and a bottle of water. Cost $10
Tony Jacobson’s Quilts
McBroom Barn
A regular stop on the Iowa Barn Foundation tour in the Fall, the McBroom barn will feature quilts made by Tony Jacobson from Piece Works Quilt Shop and a Board Member of the Iowa Quilt Museum.
Earlham American Legion Quilts
Monument Park
Feel the spirit of America at Monument Park where we’ll show quilts given to the Earlham American Legion members.
Quilting Garage Sale and Lunch
United Methodist Church
Visit the United Methodist Church for a free-will quilting garage sale and a stay or go sack lunch including a beef burger, chips, cookie, and water. The meal is $10.
Jean Nolte’s Quilts
Winterset Library
Visit the town library to see quilts made by Jean Nolte a designer for Patrick Lose Studios.