Where Did February Go?!
A Note from Director Melody Reels
Where January seems to never end, February seems to vanish too quickly! It was a whirlwind month, filled with love, laughter, and a few snowy surprises.
We celebrated our love for chocolate, but unfortunately, we had to close down for a snowstorm and cancel our “Stitch In at the Museum” event. But despite the winter weather, we kept things lively and creative!
Throughout February, we highlighted some incredible talent during our Thursday 9 AM Facebook Live videos. We featured Shelley Robson from the Quilted Forest https://www.thequiltedforest.com/, showcased Abbie Allen’s beautiful “Paris” quilt, and showcased the ever-inspiring Heidi Kaisand from Hen & Chicks Studio https://www.henandchicksstudio.com/
Our board members Marianne Fons and Randall Parkin attended this year’s QuiltCon, while I had the pleasure of attending the Iowa Tourism Conference in Mason City. Both events were filled with inspiration and fresh ideas!
Exciting news: tickets are now on sale for The Iowa Quilt Festival retreat, Airing of the Quilts, and Tony Jacobson’s “The Art of What If” lecture. You can find all the details and links to purchase tickets on our website. Be sure to grab yours before they’re gone!
We’re looking forward to March and all the wonderful things it will bring!
2025 Iowa Quilt Festival
Tickets for Classes Now On Sale!
Scott Flanagan Classes on June 5 & June 6
We are excited to have Scott Flanagan join us for this years Iowa Quilt Festival! He has agreed to teach two classes, “Aurora Sky” on Thursday, June 5th and “Linked Together” on Friday, June 6th.
Scott’s quilting journey started at the age of 7 sewing alongside his grandmother making quilts for Lutheran World Relief, but he comes from a family of crafters and woodworkers. He started 4th and Main Designs in 2011. Since then, his patterns have been frequently found in Quilters World, Quiltmaker, McCalls Quilting, and Fons & Porter magazines. He loves the endless possibilities available when designing patterns and gets super excited when putting together a project and normally end up with a sample within a day or two. Besides working the various magazines, he has solo authored 4 books for Annies Publishing and is a fabric designer for Northcott Fabrics Banyan Batiks and has released 4 collections so far. As for his favorite part of quilting, “Really all of it!” he exclaims, “From designing, to cutting, to piecing, to quilting, to binding (OK that one might be a lie!). But it is all part of the creative process” he says “and by skipping a step it feels as though part of the project is missing.”
Scott Flanagan
Linked Together
Aurora Sky
Welcome Back Pati Fried!
We are excited to welcome back Pati for a second year in a row! She is back to teach Thursday June 5, Log Cabin Improv and Friday June 6, Design Journal.
Pati has been quilting for over 25 years, Traditional, Modern, and Improvisational styles—all of which have a special place in her heart. However, she has always felt a pull to reconnect with her roots as an artist. In recent years, she’s explored the intersection of art and quilting, as well as paper and fabric. This journey has led her to develop new techniques in art quilts, fabric collaging, and bookmaking. The common thread in all her work? Her signature touch of mindful slow stitching. Join her to discover a fresh, creative approach to working with fabric!
Log Cabin Improv
Design Journal
Pati Fried
Mystery Class with Tony Jacobson is also back!
Mystery Class was so popular last year we wanted to offer it again. Tony will be teaching his Mystery Class on Wednesday June 4,
Come join Tony Jacobson as he walks you through his 2025 Mystery Quilt. Your class fee includes all the fabrics you need to make this 69-inch square quilt. And the big bonus is that all the fabrics have been cut for you and are ready for you to start sewing. Tony will guide you through each of the steps of making this pattern, slowly revealing the complete quilt design by the end of the class. Hopefully you will learn new skills that can be added to your quilting arsenal. Your quilt top may not be finished by the end of class, but you will have all the knowledge you need to be able to complete it on your own. There are five fabric options to choose from. Quantities of each kit available are limited, so you need to sign up right now to have the best selection to choose from.
Tony Jacobson
Sun & Blue Sky by Moda – 6 kits- Tempest by Windham – 8 Kits
- Playgrounds by Moda – 4 Kits
- Melrose by Moda – 4 Kits
- Ruby Star – 4 Kits
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 – Julie Silber’s Mother’s Blue & White 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 – taking donations now for the upcoming year
- Stitch In at the Museum – every 2nd Thursday of the month
Marianne’s Musings
Were you aware that Marianne Fons is now a part of the Iowa Writers Collaboration? You can follow her and read her weekly writings by subsribing using the button below. There is no cost. We love that she titles her missives, Reporting from Quitropolis.
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