July Summer Fun and Barn Quilting Classes
A Note from Director Melody Reels
July was a vibrant and meaningful month at the Iowa Quilt Museum. We hosted two sold-out barn quilt painting classes, where participants brought their creativity to life with colorful designs and a fun, welcoming atmosphere. One of the true highlights of the month was continuing to share the incredible exhibit Tiny Pieces, Vast Visions, which features the stunning work of Deb Cashatt, Irene Roderick, Niraja Lorenz, and Susan Lapham. Their improvisational and modern quilt designs captivated visitors and sparked important conversations about quilting as a powerful art form. We were honored to have this exhibit in our gallery and truly enjoyed connecting with each of the artists—hearing their stories and experiencing their processes added so much depth to the display. As sad as we are to see this exhibit come to a close, we’re thrilled that its next stop will be the New England Quilt Museum from April 14 to June 27, 2026. Looking ahead, we’re excited to announce our next exhibit, Mama’s Got the Blues, which opened on Tuesday, August 5. This new installation promises to bring another layer of emotion and artistry to the museum, and we can’t wait to welcome guests to experience it.
Mama’s Got The Blues Opens
Opened on August 5 – November 30, 2025
Mama’s Got the Blues is now on display at the Iowa Quilt Museum! This stunning exhibit celebrates the timeless beauty of blue-and-white quilts, from intricate antique handwork to striking contemporary designs. Each piece tells its own story—sometimes playful, sometimes soulful—showcasing how quilters across generations have been inspired by this classic color palette. Whether you love the calming shades of indigo or the crisp contrast of blue and white, this collection will leave you smiling (and maybe humming the blues).
Be sure to follow us on social media to see detailed photos and videos of each of these quilts. We are on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and now on TikTok for fun quilt content for all ages.
Barn Quilt Painting
Saturday September 13 & October 25, and Sunday September 14 & October 26 , 2025
Barn Quilt Painting Class Fun in June & July and more to come!
Our June and July Barn Quilt Painting classes were a huge hit—all three sold out! We’ve had sisters, friends, husbands and wives, and mothers and daughters join in the fun. One participant even painted a quilt block for the Rotary Club auction, and another drove three hours from Minneapolis to be here!
Every class has been filled with laughter, creativity, and colorful results—all thanks to the talented teaching of Debbie Simpson.
Don’t Miss Out — we’re offering more classes! Two classes in September on the 13 and 24, as well as two classes in October on the 25 and 26. Spots will fill quickly, so be sure to sign up by clicking the button below.
Sign up by clicking the button below:
Share Your Stash Sale
November 8, 2025
It’s time for our annual Share Your Stash Sale, a fun fundraiser for the Iowa Quilt Museum! We’re now accepting donations of gently used or new items from your sewing room or craft space—fabric, thread, sewing machines, yarn, crochet hooks, embroidery patterns, paints, and more. If it’s craft-related, we’ll take it!
The sale will be held Saturday, November 8 at New Bridge Church in Winterset. Fabric will be sold by the pound, sewing machines will be priced as marked, and most other treasures will be available for a free-will offering. You never know—you might just find that perfect item you’ve been missing!
Donations are being accepted now—help us clear your stash and fill ours for this special event!
Three-Part Virtual Lecture Series
with Diane L. Murtha
Join us online for an engaging lecture series with award-winning quilter, author, and international instructor Diane L. Murtha, hosted by the Iowa Quilt Museum
Challenge Accepted: Expanding Your Creative Boundaries, January 24 | 2:00–3:00 PM
Diane combines her popular “Challenges I & II” into one insightful, humorous session. Discover how quilt challenges can build your skills and spark new creative energy.
Peaceful Stitching, February 21 | 2:00–3:00 PM
Learn how to incorporate slow stitching techniques—like big stitch quilting, embroidery, and decorative darning—into your quilting practice for both creative and meditative benefits.
License to Play, March 21 | 2:00–3:00 PM
From modifying a pattern to designing your own, Diane offers fun, fearless strategies to help you unlock your creative potential.
Cost:
• $20 per session
• Or $50 for all three
This is a virtual event—attend from anywhere!
Your participation directly supports the Iowa Quilt Museum and helps us continue sharing the art and history of quilting.
Looking ahead to next year!
2026 Iowa Quilt Festival
Classes, Lectures, Quilt Retreat and Airing of the Quilts
June 3 – June 6, 2026
Looking Ahead to the 2026 Iowa Quilt Festival!
Our biggest fundraiser for the Iowa Quilt Museum is just around the corner—and the 2026 festival will be extra special as we celebrate the museum’s 10th anniversary! We can’t wait to mark this milestone with quilts, community, and creativity.
The Iowa Quilt Festival features a three-day retreat with dedicated sewing space, breakfast and lunch each day, prizes, and drop-in demonstrations from instructors. Not wanting to join the retreat but still want to learn something new? You can enjoy three full days of classes, lectures, and evening activities—all woven into a relaxing and inspiring festival experience. Classes and tickets will be available on line in January, so keep an eye out!
The exhibit during this years festival will be , “In Flanders Fields Where The Poppies Grow: Cherrywood Poppy Quilt Challenge & Quilts of Valor,” that promises to be a moving tribute you won’t want to miss.
Be sure to keep checking iowaquiltmuseum.org for updates as we continue preparing for this milestone celebration!
More Space for Quilting Fun
We’re excited to share that thanks to a local grant and a very generous donation from a local nonprofit, we’ve moved significantly closer to our financial goal for finishing the upstairs space above the gallery—with its beautiful hardwood floors and stunning view of our historic courthouse. This space will be perfect for classes, retreats, and quilting camps once electrical improvements are completed.
We will need to install a second row of track lighting, pendant lights in the center, and additional electrical outlets for sewing machines, irons, and table lamps. And of course, no quilting space would be complete without a design wall setup.
Your support can help us finish this dream! If you’d like to contribute, please click the button below.
2025 – 2026 Exhibits
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 5,2026 – 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.
April 7, 2026 – July 5, 2026 – In Flanders Fields Where The Poppies Grow: Cherrywood Poppy Quilt Challenge & Quilts of Valor
This exhibit showcases quilts from the Cherrywood Poppy Quilt Challenge, an annual event inviting quilters from around the world to create 20-inch square quilts using a select palette of Cherrywood’s hand-dyed fabrics. The 2024 challenge theme was “POPPY,” and features a stunning collection of reds, greens, and grays inspired by the symbolic flower. The quilts honor U.S. veterans and their sacrifices, and will be displayed alongside Quilts of Valor, whose motto is “Quilts = Healing.”
2025 Iowa Quilt Museum Events
Look for continued updates on our website and social media about what we have to offer in the coming year
- Stitch In at the Museum – every 2nd Thursday of the month.
- Barn Quilt Paint Classes September 13 & 14 and October 25 & 26.
- 3rd Annual Share Your Stash Sale on November 8, 2025 – we are taking donations now for the upcoming year
- Three-Part Virtual Lecture Series with Diane L. Murtha – January 24, February 21 & March 21
- Save the date for 2026 Iowa Quilt Festival – join us Wednesday June 3 through Friday June 5 for an quilt retreat, classes, & lectures. Then our big finale on Saturday June 6 for the Airing of the Quilts
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.
Quilts of Valor Foundation is Hiring
Quilts of Valor Foundation – Now Hiring
The Quilts of Valor Foundation is seeking passionate individuals to join their team! Current openings include:
- Executive Director
- Administrative Assistant
Learn more and apply here: qovf.org/open-positions