February Treats
from Director Melody Reels
February has been a short and cold month here at the museum. Our February Giveaway is going strong, and there is still time to enter through the end of the month. I will be drawing a winner on February 28. Because our email program limits how many messages can be sent each day, newsletters sometimes take a little longer to reach everyone’s inbox, thank you for your patience! And keep an eye out, because a new giveaway will be coming in March. To register for giveaways email me at director@iowaquiltmuseum.org
There have been a few schedule updates to Diane L. Murtha’s online lecture series. The February 21 lecture has been moved to March 14, and the March 21 lecture will now take place on April 18. If you are registered and the new dates no longer work for you, I will gladly send a viewing link to watch the lecture at your convenience or provide a refund. If the updated schedule works for you, registration remains open: https://www.iowaquiltmuseum.org/events-2/.
On social media, we continue to highlight the artists featured in our current exhibit with Featured Artist Mondays, along with Thursday Facebook Live sessions showcasing individual quilts and the stories behind them. These programs have been a wonderful way to bring the exhibition to audiences near and far.
Iowa Quilt Festival
Retreat & Classes
Wednesday June 3 through Friday June 5, 2026
Excitement is building for this year’s Iowa Quilt Festival, and plans are coming together for an inspiring few days of creativity, learning, and community. If you have been considering attending the Quilt Retreat, now is the time to register! We have less than a handful of spots remaining.
The retreat runs Wednesday, June 3 at 9:00 am through Friday, June 5 at 3:00 pm, offering dedicated sewing time along with breakfast and lunch each day, games, and door prizes. A volunteer will also be available to stay later into the evening for those who want extra time to work on their latest projects, making this a wonderful opportunity to sew, connect, and recharge creatively.
We are especially excited to expand our educational offerings this year with 13 classes across the three-day event. Instruction will be provided by an outstanding lineup of teachers including Tony Jacobson, Pati Fried, Sharon Wasteney, Sandi Griepenstroh, Joyce Franklin, Janet Pittman, Debbie Simpson, and Stevan Rounds. New additions this year include a children’s class, a Featherweight maintenance class, and a barn quilting class designed for those who may not quilt but still want to participate in the festival experience.
This year’s lecture series will feature Karla Overland of Cherrywood Fabrics. Her lecture will offer a behind-the-scenes look at the internationally known Cherrywood Challenge art quilt exhibition. We will also have artist and fabric designer Sue Penn, who will share her journey from fine art to fabric design and explore how original artwork becomes vibrant fabric collections. Both lectures promise inspiration and fresh creative perspectives for quilters and art enthusiasts alike.
To view the full schedule or register for remaining retreat spots, classes, or lectures hit the bottom below:
Spring Barn Quilt Painting Classes
Classes with Debbie Simpson are back!
After a cozy winter break, we’re thrilled to welcome barn quilt artist Debbie Simpson back to lead our popular hands-on workshops!
Create your own stunning 2ft x 2ft barn quilt on prepped plywood. No experience needed, just bring your creativity! Limited to 12 participants per class for plenty of personal attention. These classes sell out quickly, so don’t miss your chance to paint and personalize your own iconic barn quilt.
We’re offering one evening class and one afternoon class to better fit busy schedules:
- Saturday, April 25 from 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM
- Sunday, April 26 form 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM
Click the button to sign up today!
Shelley Robson’s Epic “Celebrate the States” Quilt Project
We’re shining a bright spotlight this month on Iowa quilter Shelley Robson of The Quilted Forest in Forest City, Iowa, and her remarkable four-year YouTube series, “Celebrate the States”.
Since January 2022, Shelley has released a new quilt block tutorial each month on her YouTube channel, with each block representing one of the 50 U.S. states, plus several bonus blocks for U.S. territories. This ambitious, rotary cut Block of the Month project is designed to culminate in a grand quilt honoring the United States’ 250th anniversary (the Semi-quincentennial) in 2026. With only two blocks left, she’s nearing the finish line of this inspiring, nation-celebrating journey that’s already inspired thousands of quilters!
Many of you may remember Shelley had two quilts on display here at the Iowa Quilt Museum last year for our Iowa Quilts! exhibit. If you’re ready for monthly motivation, state-inspired designs, or ideas to add some patriotic flair to your stitching, dive into the “Celebrate the States” playlist on her YouTube channel. Be sure to search the playlist or check her latest releases to see her recent North Dakota and New Mexico blocks.
A huge thank you to Shelley’s husband, Dan Robson, for reaching out to share this wonderful update with us. We truly appreciate you keeping the quilting community connected and shining a light on such meaningful work!
2026 Capital Campaign
As we continue looking ahead to the Iowa Quilt Museum’s 10th Anniversary in 2026, we’re excited to share continued progress in our 2025-2026 Capital Campaign. Thanks to the incredible generosity of our supporters, we are now just $5,000 away from paying off our mortgage, a major milestone on our journey toward our $100,000 goal. We are also only $2,000 away from reaching 30% of our fundraising goal, an exciting step forward for the museum’s future.
Our campaign focuses on strengthening the museum’s long-term sustainability by eliminating mortgage debt, addressing pandemic-era expenses, and completing our upstairs space for classes, workshops, and community gatherings. The momentum we are seeing is truly inspiring.
Every contribution, large or small, makes a meaningful difference. We are deeply grateful for the many generous donations from quilt companies, quilt artists, and our local Winterset community, as well as supporters near and far. Thank you for helping us build a strong and sustainable future for the Iowa Quilt Museum.
DATE CHANGES
Three Two-Part Virtual Lecture Series
with Diane L. Murtha
We had a wonderful start to Diane L Murtha’s online lecture series! Please note that upcoming lecture dates have changed: the February 21 lecture has been rescheduled to March 14, and the March 21 lecture will now take place on April 18. If you are registered and the new dates no longer work for you, a viewing link will be available, or you may request a refund.
You can still join the fun with two more classes in the lecture series:
Peaceful Stitching, February 21 March 14 | 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 April 18 | 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
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.
Reminder: More Spring Quilting Opportunities Await!
As we look ahead to blooming projects and brighter days, don’t forget our other wonderful spring classes are coming up fast!
Description of classes and to purchase tickets are below:
March Class
Join Stevan Rounds for a Singer Featherweight Maintenance Class
Learn how to care for your beloved Singer Featherweight 221 in this hands-on, instructor-led maintenance class with Stevan Rounds. With over 23 years of sewing experience and 8 years as a professional repair technician with Piece Works Quilt Shop, Stevan will guide you through cleaning, oiling, greasing, adjusting, and maintaining your machine with confidence. You’ll receive expert tips and troubleshooting techniques to keep your Featherweight running smoothly and get you back to sewing quickly. Maintenance kits are included with the class, so you’ll leave with both the skills and supplies to do it yourself.
Date, Time & Location:
Saturday, March 28
9:00 a.m.– 12:00 p.m. (Central Time)
More Pieces, 101 S 1st Ave, Winterset, IA
April Class
Sujata Shah’s Raw Edge Kawandi Appliqué Online Class – | All Levels
Inspired by the hand-stitched Kawandi quilts of the Siddi community of India, this workshop explores an organic, improvisational hand-stitched appliqué process using raw-edge fabric scraps. Participants will focus on texture, composition, and visible edges while creating a vibrant, contemporary piece rooted in tradition.
Dates & Times:
Friday, April 3 & Saturday, April 4
10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. (Central Time)
Online Class
2026 Exhibits
Now – April 5, 2026 – Rebound, Renew, Reimagine
The Manhattan Quilters Guild’s post-COVID exhibit is now on display here at the museum, and we couldn’t be more excited to share it with you. We were fortunate to host 40×40@40 in 2021 and are delighted to once again showcase the guild’s incredible work. The quilts are here—and they are absolutely spectacular!
April 7, 2026 – July 5, 2026 – In Flanders Fields The Poppies Grow: Cherrywood Poppy Quilt Challenge & Quilts of Valor
This exhibit will showcase all the quilts from the Cherrywood Poppy Quilt Challenge. The challenge is 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 several Quilts of Valor, whose motto is “Quilts = Healing.”
July 7, 2026 – October 18, 2026 – Iowa Quilt Museum Retrospective
In 2026, the Iowa Quilt Museum will celebrate its 10th anniversary with a special exhibition featuring quilts by artists who have shown with us over the past decade. This commemorative exhibit will highlight the creativity and craftsmanship that have shaped our story—from traditional works to contemporary innovations. We look forward to celebrating this milestone and honoring the makers who have inspired our first ten years.
2026 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.
- Virtual Lecture Series with Diane L. Murtha – March 14 & April 18
- Featherweight Maintenance Class March 28, 2026
- Sujata Shah’s Raw Edge Kawandi Appliqué Online Class April 3 & 4
- Barn Quilt Paint Classes April 25 & 26
- 2026 Iowa Quilt Festival Kicking off with a bus trip on Tuesday, June 2, to the International Quilt Museum in Lincoln, Nebraska. Wednesday, June 3 – Friday, June 5: Quilt retreat, classes, & lectures. Grand finale on Saturday, June 6: Airing of the Quilts.
- 4th Annual Share Your Stash Sale on November 7, 2026 – we will are taking donations now.
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.
