It’s not too late to join in the fun!
Iowa Quilt Festival Retreat
Wednesday June 4 Through Friday June 6
Whether you’re a seasoned quilter or just getting started, the Iowa Quilt Festival Quilt Retreat is the perfect way to sew, connect, and celebrate the joy of quilting in the heart of Iowa!
This year, we’re excited to offer flexible 1-, 2-, or 3-day retreat passes — so you can join us for as much stitching fun as your schedule allows!
Each retreat day includes:
☕ Morning pastries & coffee to start your day
🥪 Delicious catered lunch
🎁 Prizes and giveaways
✨ Drop-in demos from special guests
🧵 Plenty of time and space to work on your projects in a warm, welcoming setting
Whether you’re coming solo or with friends, this retreat offers the perfect blend of creativity, inspiration, and community. Join us for one, two, or all three days!
Reserve your spot now — space is limited and sewing machines are revving up!
CLASSES & LECTURES
June 4 – June 6, 2025
Wednesday June 4 Classes
🧵Mystery Quit Class with Tony Jacobson from 9AM to 3PM at More Pieces
Don’t miss your chance to join Tony Jacobson’s 2025 Mystery Quilt Class — a fun and creative experience where you’ll sew your way to a surprise 69″ quilt design! Your class fee includes pre-cut fabric kits, expert instruction, and five unique fabric options to choose from (while supplies last). Tony will guide you step-by-step through the mystery, helping you build skills and confidence along the way. Spots are almost gone — grab one of the last two seats today!
🧵Artful Collage with Sharon Wasteney from 9AM to 3PM at the Jackson Building
Sharon Wasteney’s Artful Collage class is already half full — don’t miss your chance to join this inspiring, hands-on workshop! In this class, you’ll create a one-of-a-kind art piece by layering beautiful textures and materials onto a hand-dyed vintage linen background (your choice, included in the class fee). You’ll experiment with felted leaves, painted Tyvek, Wonder Under, decorative threads, beads, and other unique ephemera — the possibilities are endless! Whether you’re new to collage or looking to stretch your creativity, this is a fantastic opportunity to learn from an expert and leave with a truly personal piece of textile art. ✂️ Let’s fill this class with creativity — sign up today!
🧵Conversations in Improv with Deb Cashatt, Niraja Lorenz & Susan Lapham from 9AM – 5PM at the Jackson Building
Our Conversations in Improv class has officially sold out — thank you for the overwhelming enthusiasm! We’re thrilled to have a full house for this team-taught, creativity-packed experience featuring three of the Tiny Pieces, Vast Visions exhibiting artists. In this dynamic workshop, students will explore three unique improvisational quilting techniques and bring them together using “conversation connectors” that reflect their personal style. With demos, small group consults, and one-on-one support, it’s sure to be an inspiring day of exploration and making! Waitlist Available! If you missed out, don’t worry — we have a waitlist. And…
Would you be interested in a video version of the class?
We’re exploring the possibility of offering a recording. If that’s something you’d be excited about, let us know — your feedback helps us bring these learning experiences to more quilters!
Thursday June 5 Classes
🧵Aurora Sky with Scott Flanagan from 9am to 3PM at the Jackson Building
Looking for a fun, relaxed, and skill-building quilting class? There’s still space available in Aurora Sky with instructor Scott Flanagan, and we’d love to see YOU there! Inspired by the Northern Lights, this dazzling quilt features a galaxy of star blocks created with your favorite fat quarter bundle — plus Scott’s creative twist on flying geese units! You’ll come away with a radiant quilt design and new techniques to add to your quilting toolbox. Whether you’re looking to learn something new or simply enjoy a day of sewing with fellow quilters, this is a great chance to jump in. Let’s fill this classroom with color, creativity, and community! Reserve your spot now before it disappears like the aurora at dawn!
🧵Faux Cathedral Windows with Sharon Wasteney from 9am to 3PM at the Jackson Building
Discover the Magic of Faux Cathedral Windows with Sharon Wasteney! Love the look of a traditional cathedral window quilt but feel intimidated by all that hand stitching? This is the class for you! Join Sharon Wasteney as she teaches a simplified version of this classic technique—with a creative twist. Instead of squares, you’ll use rectangles to build a stunning, dimensional design that’s both beautiful and achievable.
This is a great opportunity to:
✨ Learn a technique that looks complex but is beginner-friendly
✨ Add depth and visual interest to your quilt projects
✨ Enjoy a supportive, creative environment with a fantastic instructor
We need more quilters to make this class happen, and we’d love to have you join us. Bring your curiosity and come create something truly special! Sign up today and bring a friend to make it even more fun!
🎤 Mary Pemble Barton Lecture with Millie Kehrli from 10AM to Noon at the Iowa Theater
Uncover Iowa’s Hidden Quilt History – Join Millie Kehrli’s Lecture on Mary Barton! Calling all quilt lovers, history buffs, and textile enthusiasts! Don’t miss this rare opportunity to hear from Millie Kehrli, Iowa quilter, teacher, and scholar, as she shares insights from her doctoral research on the remarkable Mary Barton—a woman whose work helped preserve the stories of quilts and the people who made them. Mary Barton’s legacy in documenting textile history is invaluable, and Millie’s lecture offers a unique look at her life, her work, and her deep impact on the quilting world. We don’t have many folks signed up yet, and this is one we don’t want you to miss. Come support this important piece of Iowa quilt heritage and walk away inspired! Add this to your festival plans and bring a friend—it’s a powerful reminder of the women who came before us.
🎤 Tiny Pieces, Vast Visions Q&A with Deb Cashatt, Niraja Lorenz & Susan Lapham from 1PM to 3PM at the Iowa Theater
Meet the Artists Behind Tiny Pieces, Vast Visions, A Special Lecture at the Iowa Quilt Festival. How did four artists from across the country—Niraja Lorenz, Deb Cashatt, Irene Roderick, and Susan J. Lapham—find common creative ground and build an extraordinary group exhibit? It all began in 2021 with a virtual “Meet the Artists” event—and blossomed into a deep connection around improvisation, color, and artistic expression. Join us for this special lecture where you’ll hear directly from the artists about how their exhibit came to life, what inspires their work, and how their individual voices weave together into one cohesive and striking gallery experience.
Their companion book, Tiny Pieces, Vast Visions, will be available for purchase in the lobby and at the Iowa Quilt Museum gift shop for $34.
Don’t miss this rare opportunity to connect with these nationally known artists and the powerful stories behind their quilts!
Friday June 6 Classes
🧵Galaxies Quilt with Millie Kehrli from 9AM to 3PM at More Pieces
From History to Your Hands: Create Your Own “Galaxies” Quilt
Inspired by the mesmerizing 1917 spiderweb quilt from the Mary Pemble Barton collection, this hands-on workshop with Millie Kehrli bridges the past and present through fabric, color, and design. Millie, a quilt historian and curator, developed her Galaxies pattern after studying the antique quilt’s stunning movement and texture. In this class, you’ll learn from the original design and experiment with block sizes, colorways, and layout ideas to create a modern interpretation of this timeless quilt motif. Whether you’re passionate about history, intrigued by antique quilts, or just love trying something new, this is a class that honors the past while encouraging creative exploration. Let’s bring this beautiful tradition to life—sign up now and make your own galaxy of stitches!
🧵Linked Together with Scott Flanagan from 9AM to 3PM at the Jackson Building
Quick, Striking, and Seriously Fun! Have a Jelly Roll you’ve been saving for something special? This is it! Join Scott Flanagan for a dynamic workshop where you’ll create a bold, eye-catching quilt using pre-cut strips and learn the magic of partial seams—a surprisingly simple technique with powerful results. Whether you’re looking to expand your skills or just want a fast and satisfying project, this class has you linked in.
Perfect for confident beginners and seasoned quilters alike. Grab your spot and your favorite Jelly Roll—we can’t wait to see what you create!
Airing of the Quilts
Saturday June 7, 2025
The Airing of the Quilts – A Grand Finale You Won’t Want to Miss!
Step into a patchwork of color and creativity as Winterset comes alive with hundreds of quilts displayed in the most unexpected — and beautiful — ways. It’s the joyful culmination of the Iowa Quilt Festival and a heartfelt celebration of quilting heritage, community, and art.
Quilts will be everywhere — hung in our historic covered bridges, hanging from balconies and buildings, tucked into parks and shop windows, and featured in over 10 indoor exhibits across town.
Every quilt tells a story — of heritage, artistry, and love stitched into every inch.
🧵 Choose Your Ticket Experience:
- 🎟 Standard Ticket – $25
Enjoy full access to all Airing of the Quilts exhibits and experiences across Winterset. - 🎟 Combo Ticket – $30
Includes everything in the standard ticket plus admission to the Covered Bridge Quilters Guild Show — a local favorite packed with creativity and community talent. - 🎟 Premium Ticket – $100
For the ultimate experience:
✔️ Early check-in
✔️ An exclusive goodie bag filled with gifts, coupons, and discount codes from local shops and restaurants
✔️ Plus all-access to the day’s exhibits
We understand the premium ticket is a higher price point — but every dollar directly supports the Iowa Quilt Museum’s mission to celebrate quilting through exhibitions and education.
Want to Be Part of the Magic?
We’re looking for cheerful, quilt-loving volunteers to help during the Airing of the Quilts and throughout the Iowa Quilt Festival (June 4–7).
Lend a hand with:
- Hanging quilts throughout town
- Greeting and guiding visitors
- Assisting with classes and activities
It’s a fun and meaningful way to meet fellow quilters, support the museum, and make a memorable difference.
👉 Sign up here to volunteer:
Let’s make this year’s festival the most vibrant yet!
More Space for Quilting Fun
We have a great space upstairs above the gallery with a great view of our beautiful courthouse. We would love to house classes, retreats or even quilting camps up there, but it needs some additional electrical. Currently, we only have one row of track lighting, we would like to add another row, along with some pendant lights in the middle. Additionally we would need to add electrical outlets for machines, irons and table lights. No quilting space would be complete without adding some planning boards. If you would like to help contribute to raising funds for this project click on the button below.
2025 Exhibits
April 22 through August 3 – Tiny Pieces, Vast Visions
Quilts by Deb Cashatt, Irene Roderick, Niraja Lorenz, and Susan Lapham were on display at the National Quilt Museum in Paducah last fall, and we are thrilled to announce their next display location will be here in Iowa. The artists will also participate in the 2025 Iowa Quilt Festival!
August 5 through November 30 – Mama’s Got the Blues: Nineteenth Century Indigo Quilts
We’re honored to be working with Julie Silber, respected quilt collector, dealer, and appraiser, to showcase her mother’s antique blue and white quilts
December 2, 2025 – April 15,2026 – Rebound, Renew, Reimagine
The Manhattan Modern Quilters’ Guild’s post-COVID exhibit will make a stop here in Iowa at the end of 2025. We were fortunate enough to have 40×40@40 displayed in 2021 and looking forward to displaying the guild’s amazing work again.
2025 Events
Look for continued updates on our website and social media about what we have to offer in the coming year
- Iowa Quilt Festival – retreat, classes, lectures and Airing of the Quilts Tickets on sale now
- 3rd Annual Share Your Stash Sale on November 8, 2025 – we are taking donations now for the upcoming year
- Stitch In at the Museum – every 2nd Thursday of the month
Marianne’s Musings
Founding IQM Board Member Marianne Fons is a member of the Iowa Writers Collaborative, a collection of over 70 professional writers and journalists. She writes a (mostly) weekly Substack column titled “Reporting from Quiltropolis.” (Quiltropolis = Winterset.) Check out Quiltropolis by clicking on the button below, and subscribe if you like.
Mary Barton was my neighbor. She didn’t drive. I drove her to many many quilt related things including in other states.
What a wonderful connection! Thank you for helping Mary share her passion for quilting far and wide.
I live in northern Minnesota, I’ve made a point on visiting the Iowa quilt museum and Winterset pretty regularly with family and friends. I”m not sure if I missed a newsletter about the quilt festival previously or if this is just late. Anyway I’m sad that this came too late for me to plan on coming. Sounds really interesting and fun. Maybe next year.
Thank you for your kind note—we’re so sorry you missed it this year! Mark your calendar: the next Iowa Quilt Festival is June 3–6, 2026. We’d love to see you in Winterset again!
I wonder why I received this newsletter in July instead of April or May so that I could have attended the retreats
Nice to know for future if you’re doing them again.
Thank you for your feedback, and I’m so sorry you received the newsletter too late to attend this year’s retreats. We’re working on improving the timing of our communications—especially with our new systems—and truly appreciate your understanding.
Looking ahead, we’re already planning for the next Iowa Quilt Festival, June 3–6, 2026, where we’ll once again offer the quilt retreat. We also have Barn Quilt Painting Classes coming this fall and virtual lectures planned for the winter months.
To stay in the loop, be sure to follow us on social media and visit our website regularly. We’d love to have you join us for future events!