'Quilted in Honor' coming to Sisters

The Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show has been chosen as one of a select 13 national locations invited to host Quilted in Honor, a project which both pays tribute to and benefits service personnel and their families.

A special exhibit is being created for this year's show, which takes place Saturday, July 12 in Sisters.

Led by quilt fabric manufacturer Island Batik, Quilted in Honor is an initiative to benefit Operation Homefront, one of the top military fundraising organizations. Operation Homefront was chosen to be the beneficiary of the Quilted in Honor project because of their programs, their top rank among military charities in the USA, and because of the need they expressed for quilts and quilted projects.

Proceeds from the sale of Quilted in Honor fabric, patterns, and notions will be donated to Operation Homefront.

Additionally, the quilts from the national touring exhibit of quilts - designed and created by more than 50 celebrity quilters - will be auctioned to benefit Operation Homefront. Island Batik is supporting Operation Homefront with a minimum $25,000 donation.

Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show (SOQS) is thrilled to be chosen, says Jeanette Pilak, SOQS executive director.

"We are honored to be invited, and delighted at the opportunity to welcome the national touring exhibit as part of the 2014 show. The exhibit will be a unique and meaningful addition to our event, and we'll all enjoy the wonderful work of renowned quilters including Alex Anderson, Rob Appell, Bonnie Browning, Scott Hansen, Ricky Tims, and Angela Walters, and many others."

In special recognition of Central Oregon's veterans and families, SOQS has created the Stars Over Sisters Challenge, sponsored by Stitchin' Post, featuring Island Batik's Quilted in Honor fabrics. A committee of three will judge the challenge quilts based on design, use of color, construction and interpretation of the theme, "Stars Over Sisters."

All accepted challenge quilts will be eligible to win cash prizes which will be awarded on July 12 at the 2014 Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show. Cash prizes from $50 to $200 will include a "Viewers Choice Award" of $100. Participants in the Stars Over Sisters challenge may designate their quilts to be donated to Operation Homefront for distribution to veterans.

Part of the SOQS participation in Quilted in Honor is the collection of finished, non-soiled quilts to be donated to the Pacific Northwest office of Operation Homefront for distribution to Central Oregon veterans and their families. Donated quilts will be collected by SOQS and presented to Operation Homefront on July 12 in a ceremony that includes Sisters Country Veterans and Wounded Warrior spokesman and Sisters resident, Brett Miller.

For more information on Quilted in Honor, the Stars Over Sisters Challenge sponsored by Stitchin' Post, or donating quilts for Central Oregon veterans and their families visit www.sistersoutdoorquiltshow.org/contests.htm#QuiltedinHonor.