Generations enjoy Quilt Show

The sun was shining last Saturday on 1,200 colorful quilts hanging from balconies and walls throughout downtown for the 31st annual Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show. The annual event in Sisters brought thousands of people to town to see the centuries-old art of quilt making.

When the big day was over, the executive director said her lasting impression was “lots of happy people.” Ann Richardson said the event went smoothly, from the sunny weather to the volunteers who bring the event to life.

Visitors wearing broad-brimmed hats carrying water bottles and cameras packed the streets admiring quilts ranging from traditional patterns to contemporary versions. Quilters from New York, England and Canada mailed quilts to Sisters for the honor of being shown at the world’s largest outdoor quilt show.

For 31 years, the Quilt Show has celebrated the art of quilt making. It is a unique event in that it is not a juried show and there is no admission. To help offset the expenses of the show, each year there is a raffle quilt. This year’s quilt, designed by The Stitchin’ Post’s Valori Wells Kennedy and Jean Wells Keenan, was won by an out-of-state woman.

This year’s theme, “Generations,” was evident as grandmas, moms and daughters strolled around the quilts.

Sewing machines hummed at the Quilts for Kids activity area where 11-year-old Hanna Lynch was starting her second quilt.

“I couldn’t wait to start — it took me forever, though,” said Lynch of her first quilt which she entered in the kid’s quilt contest.

Quilt guilds visited from several states. The Reno Sparks Newcomers Quilters Club was represented by 16 members wearing colorful tie-dyed T-shirts. The members walked through the rows of quilts gathering ideas from the ones they most admired.

“I’m a beginner and these things just blow me away!” said Susan Phillips.

“It’s even more than people described — it’s overwhelming,” said Gail Nemy who was visiting the Quilt Show for the first time.

The friends from Reno said in addition to the quilts, they thought the shopping in Sisters was “wonderful.”

A group of locals had an action plan for seeing the quilts on the crowded and hot day.

“Get here early and bring lots of water,” said Sisters resident Barbara Burkart. She added another tip is to park in the direction of home because drivers can’t count on being able to make turns in Sisters’ busy streets on Quilt Show day.

Another Sisters resident was enjoying the day even though she is not a quilter.

“I have never sewn a button, but I appreciate them,” said Ann Reed.

Next year’s quilt show, as always held the second Saturday in July, will be themed “Inspired by Nature.”