Each July — the Saturday after July 4th — the charming town of Sisters, Oregon hosts its annual Outdoor Quilt Show. For one day, the entire town of Sisters is transformed into the world’s largest outdooor quilt show. This year, 1300 quilts were exhibited — hung outside in the morning at 7am and taken down the same day in the early evening. A highlight for many is the moment the local Fire Department arrives with its ladders to hang quilts on the side of The Stitchin’ Post. Everywhere one looks in town, there is yet another quilt to see. Every variety and style is represented — from gorgeous whole cloth quilts to traditional patchwork to modern quilt guild pieces…..and more. The town is lively as thousands of visitors from all points of the globe arrive to enjoy the quilts.
I was honored to teach several workshops for Quilters Affair during the week leading up to the Quilt Show.
And several of my quilts were featured in the Teachers Tent.
The genius and driving force behind the event is Jean Wells Keenan, joined in recent years by her daughter, Valori Wells Kennedy. Besides being accomplished quilters and business women, these ladies have inspired quilters around the world. Also, the workshops and quilt show would not be possible without the dedicated staff of The Stitchin’ Post and the army of volunteers who organize, coordinate and hang 1300 quilts in a single day. Amazing, just amazing. Thank you Jean, Valori and all the volunteers for all you do for the quilt world!
