January 2023 Iowa Quiltscape
Here at the museum, we see quilts as a visual representation of our American story. We consider the telling of quilt stories as the way to build, energize, inspire and invest in the quilt legacy. It’s our hope that you were able to experience this quilt legacy through your interaction with the Iowa Quilt Museum and at events like the Iowa Quilt Festival.
In 2023, you can attend more in-person and online events that will invigorate the quilting movement and hopefully challenge each one of you in your quilting journey. Some of these events include hand stitching in our gallery to reconnect with the quilters who came before us, label parties to enable our stories to be told 100 years from now, quilt challenges that correlate with our exhibits and making the Iowa Quilt Festival (formerly the Airing of the Quilts) even more impactful with more classes and activities.
This is bound to a year of unlimited quilty fun, and we’re glad you’re here to experience it with us.
Carissa
Ricky Tims Quilt Luminarium
Talking about taking the Iowa Quilt Festival to new levels. We’re teaming up with Ricky Tims to bring the Quilt Luminarium to Iowa! Ricky has started to only offer this class online so this is your opportunity to see him in person and experience his exuberance at the Iowa Theater.
Quilt Luminarium is 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 one and a half entertaining days and six sessions with Ricky Tims, quilting legend and entertainer to learn how to conquer techniques and concepts you may currently shy away from.
Visit our website to learn more about the courses and what you’ll learn in this exciting lecture series.
Events At The Museum
We weren’t kidding when we said we were going to offer more in-person events at the Iowa Quilt Museum. We have three events in two days for the month of January.
Friday, January 20, 2023
Stitch In At the Museum
Let’s reconnect with the basics of quilting and hand stitching on Friday, January 20 from 10AM to 4 PM. This event is free to all who want quilting camaraderie, tips and tricks on hand stitching, including quilting, or need to get out of the house during this dreary month!
Bring a project that doesn’t require a sewing machine and or let us know if you want to learn how to hand-piece or hand quilt. We’ll make sure to have supplies on hand for you to get started!
Saturday, January 21 – 10AM to 2:30PM
Quilt Appraisals and Consultations
Have you wanted to get questions answered for a quilt you love or need an appraisal on a quilt for insurance purposes? Then make sure to schedule an appraisal or quilt consultation with Certified Quilt Appraiser Val Bonk. Each session takes about 3o minutes. Quilt Appraisals are $60 and consultations are $30 per quilt.
Email Carissa Heckathorn at director@iowaquiltmuseum.org to schedule a time to meet with Val on Saturday, January 21 anytime between 10AM to 2:30 PM.
Afternoon of Quilt Stories
If you love hearing the historical context on patterns and fabric and the stories behind quilts, then you’re going to want to attend our Afternoon of Quilt Stories event on Saturday, January 21 from 3 PM to 4 PM.
Our director, Carissa Heckathorn, will introduce the exhibit and then quilt appraiser, Val Bonk, will tell deeper stories regarding patterns and fabrics for three quilts in the exhibit. With these added details, you will realize how many choices in quilt making are influenced by trends in our society, social changes, and even economic status. This exhibit showcases quilts from different eras and genres encompassing the wider story of quilts.
This is a gallery walk unlike any other we’ve hosted so make sure to save your seat and join us for an informative and rewarding afternoon of storytelling.
When: Saturday, January 21, 2023 – 3 PM to 4 PM
Where: Iowa Quilt Museum, 68 E Court Ave, Winterset, IA
Register: https://iowaquiltmuseum.salsalabs.org/AfternoonofQuiltStories?page=register
Cost: Free for Members (look for an email with the code) and families of quilts in the exhibit; $20 for Non-Members.
New Employee
We’ve added a Retail Manager to our team! Cherita Snyder is a Winterset resident who raised her children in Winterset and owned a daycare for many years. When I say she knows everyone, I mean she really does know everyone here in Winterset.
As Retail Manager, Cherita will make sure our Gift Shop is running smoothly and stocked with amazing items ready for you to take home when you visit or shop online. We’re so excited to have Cherita as a part of our team. She has positive energy and a warm and welcoming personality.
Featured Quilt From Gift Shop
There is an abundance of handmade quilts in our gift shop. We’ve decided to feature one quilt in every newsletter to show you what a diverse range of quilts we carry!
This quilt is perfect for Valentine’s Day with its soft pink colors and vintage appliquéd and embroidered blocks. The blocks were put together with more recent fabric and machine quilted. It’s a real beauty!
The quilt measures 62” x 84” and is called Vintage Wild Rose Blocks. If you’d like to purchase this quilt, give us a call or come visit us and we can make that happen!
Facebook Live Events
Make sure you join us on Facebook or Instagram to see video’s featuring some of the quilts in our current exhibit “These ARE Your Grandmother’s Quilts”. We go live on Facebook at 9 AM on Tuesdays.
You can see our past video on our website.
Amazon Smile
There’s another way to support the Iowa Quilt Museum, and that’s through Amazon Smile. With every purchase you make in Amazon, 0.5% will go to the Iowa Quilt Museum. If 100 people spent $100 every month, the museum would receive $1,500 per quarter! That would pay for an exhibit!
Here is a great link to get you started and to set it up on your mobile device: https://www.aboutamazon.com/news/community/how-to-sign-up-for-amazonsmile
Membership At The Iowa Quilt Museum
Become a member of the Iowa Quilt Museum to receive free admission to our exhibits and discounts in our gift shop. We’re working on creating more benefits for members so join now to make sure you’re in on all the fun!
Future Exhibits
Start making plans to see our upcoming exhibits. There’s something for everyone! Get the details.
Timestamps by Ricky Tims
March 14 – June 18, 2023
Come to Our (Patchwork) House, curated by Julie Silber
June 20 – September 10, 2023
In addition to keeping you up-to-date on all of the happenings here at the IQM, we also use our Iowa QuiltScape messages to share quilt-related news and events happening across our great state. Check it out!
Quilt Events in Iowa (and Nebraska)
Grand Opening/Open House at Annie’s Quilting Bee
Grand opening/open house for Annie’s Quilting Bee & Keeping You in Stitches is Saturday, January 14 at 10 AM Prizes, demonstrations, treats and more. Hope to see ya all there!! Locatedd in the lower level of the building.
Location: 1205 7th Street, Suite LL101, Harlan, IA
Greater Omaha FLURRY FRENZY
Visit each shop and get a free fat quarter and a stamp on your passport. Passports are available at each location starting Saturday, January 29, 2022. (See store for details). Visit all eight shops between January 29th and February 5, 2022, and turn in your passport to be eligible to win a $25 gift card to one of the participating shops. It’s that simple! And yes, it is FREE! There will be amazing fabric sales all week long! PARTICIPATING SHOPS: MANGELSEN’S ACME FABRIC & QUILT CO AROUND THE SPOOL QUILTING COMPANY CALICO HOUSE CELTIC QUILTER COSMIC COW COUNTRY SAMPLER FABRIC BASH
Location: Omaha, NE
Thank you for reading Iowa QuiltScape.
Please share us with a friend!
Iowa QuiltScape is a feature of the Iowa Quilt Museum’s periodical e-newsletter, and will highlight quilting events happening all around the state. The goal of Iowa QuiltScape is to provide a central place for Iowa quilting organizations to share upcoming events and help quilters and quilter lovers across Iowa reach a broader audience.
If you have an event you would like to share via Iowa QuiltScape, send your information to
Museum Director Carissa Heckathorn: director@iowaquiltmuseum.org.
If you’re reading this but it didn’t come to your inbox, use the Email Signup form on the top of this page to make sure you’re on the list and don’t miss out on any Iowa QuiltScape news!
Patricia Steckman
Wish I lived closer so I could make more of your events. Looking forward to “Airing of the Quilts” in June. Planning on participating in a retreat and being able to spend more time in the Winterset area.
Carissa Heckathorn
We’re so glad you’re going to be here in June! The retreat information is on the website along with Ricky Tims and I’m about to post a class!
Denece little
We were able to only visit for a few minutes at your shop, but I was so impressed. Someday I hope to get back and stay longer.
Carissa Heckathorn
Thank you! We’re glad you could make a quilt stop and hope you can make it back for a longer stay!
Barbara Petersen
please email newsletter
Carissa Heckathorn
Hi. It looks like you should already receive the newsletter link by email. If you aren’t, check your junk mail and mark our emails as “safe”.