Featuring rotating exhibits of historic & contemporary quilts
EVERY VISIT IS A BRAND NEW EXPERIENCE!
Just a short scenic drive from Des Moines via Interstates 80 or 35, Winterset is a picturesque and historic community. The Iowa Quilt Museum is located on the South side of the town square in a building that used to house a JC Penney store.
April 1 – October 31
10:00 – 5:00 Monday– Saturday
12:00 – 4:00 Sunday
November 1 – March 31
10:00 – 4:00 Monday– Saturday
12:00 – 4:00 Sunday
Closed on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, New Year’s Day, Easter Sunday and the Fourth of July.
Closing at 1:00 on Thanksgiving Eve, Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve.
If Winterset Community Schools close for inclement weather, we will also close.
$8.00 for Adults
$7.00 for Seniors, Veterans and Active Military
$5.00 for Children (ages 3-12)
$5.00 for Students (including undergraduate and graduate) with ID
Free for Members
Touring the museum usually takes about 45 minutes, depending on whether or not you want to read all of the signage.
Admission for Groups of 20+ is $6 per visitor. Learn more about bringing a group to the Iowa Quilt Museum by selecting the Group Tours tab to the left.
Threads of Life: Portraits and Pets Woven in Fabric
June 18, 2024 – September 15, 2024 – Curated by Diane Murtha
Artists create images of things they love and see in everyday life. There is nothing more endearing than capturing the look of a child fascinated by something, the quirky antics of our pets, a tender touch of love, or a somber sincere look of determination. The IQM is honored to bring you fiber artists who have woven threads of life into phenomenal pieces sure to astound you.
Thirty-six fiber artists from across the country, including internationally known, award-winning artists as well as local creatives unite to bring you 50 fiber art pieces.
The exhibit includes fiber, embroidery work, wearable art, as well as several unique pieces created specifically by the artists just for this exhibit. There are pieces sure to touch your soul and others to make you giggle. Some will inspire you to take your own art to a new level and others will encourage beginners to take the first step. Truly something in this exhibit for everyone (in the family).
Talented artists participating reads like a who’s who in the quilting world, including:
- Angela Bowman, QuiltCon 2022 Judge’s Choice award
- Hollis Chatelian, multiple Best of Show winner
- Victoria Findlay Wolfe, International award-winning artist, quilter, and author
- Deborah Hyde, Grand prize winner, International Quilt Show 2023 Houston
- Chitra Mandanna, multiple International Best of Show winner
- Bethanne Nemesh, multiple Best of Show winner
- Barbara Yates Beasley, featured in Quiltfolk magazine
Group Tours
Admission for groups of 20 or more is $6 per person.
In order to have adequate staff on hand, we appreciate advanced notice for group tours.
Groups can schedule a guided gallery walk with Marianne Fons. Cost is $150 per group. Subject to availability. Contact Museum Director Carissa Heckathorn: director@IowaQuiltMuseum.org
Guided Tours
The Iowa Quilt Museum is pleased to announce the addition of a new guided tour experience. Megan Barrett, former Director of the Museum, and now a Certified Professional Tour Guide, will be leading interpretive tours for small groups visiting the Museum.
Tours are by appointment only and will be conducted on Fridays only, between the hours of 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. at the Museum, starting August 18, 2023. The tours will last 45 minutes to 1 hour; the $25 guide fee is in addition to admission.
Reservations for tours must be made in advance, at least 10 days prior to the desired Friday, by contacting the museum at 515-462-5988. A guided interpretive tour can greatly enhance your visit to the Iowa Quilt Museum.
The Iowa Quilt Museum gift shop offers a wide variety of quilting-related items and gifts. Many of the pieces in our shop are hand-made by local quilters and artists. There’s no doubt that you can find a unique souvenir for yourself or a gift for someone else.
