Quilt Show offers "Timeless Tapestry'

The 40th Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show is about to roll out in Sisters.

The theme of the 2015 Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show (SOQS) is "A Timeless Tapestry" - a story told through weaving fabric and thread. This year, SOQS honors the quilters, instructors, volunteers, artists, businesses, donors, sponsors and industry leaders whose help and support during the past four decades have transformed the town of Sisters into a living tapestry every second Saturday in July since 1975.

The 40th anniversary event is being presented by Robert Kaufman Fabrics. Robert Kaufman Co, Inc. is a purveyor of quilting fabrics and textiles for retailers and manufacturers. Kaufman Co. is a fabric supplier to many industries, including retail & quilting, home decor, bridal, uniforms, and the apparel industry.

Highlighting the 40th anniversary celebration will be the return visit from the Quilters of Gee's Bend presented by The Roundhouse Foundation. Recently, three of the quilters of Gee's Bend received a 2015 National Heritage Fellowship, the nation's highest award for folk and traditional arts. Mary Lee Bendolph, Loretta Pettway, and Lucy Mingo, three of the chief quilters of Gee's Bend, are among the group of artists chosen for this year's award.

"Roundhouse Foundation has been a LoneStar Sponsor of the Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show these many years because it meets our mission to encourage community enrichment through the arts in Central Oregon," said Kathy Deggendorfer. "The Roundhouse Foundation wanted to support the Quilters of Gee's Bend return to Sisters for their third visit to continue to build our friendships and artistic relationships with these artists, who are national treasures."

The Quilters of Gee's Bend will be present at the 40th Anniversary Ruby Celebration. In addition you will meet them and see their quilts at Studio Redfield during the Thursday Artist Reception, 3:30 to 6 p.m. and on Quilt Show day.

Significant activities celebrating the 40th anniversary include:

•â¯40th Anniversary Ruby Celebration Presented by Maywood Studio - Wednesday, July 8, 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., Sisters High School Auditorium.

This ticketed event features the Quilters of Gee's Bend, anniversary quilt display, music, a look back through the time machine and, of course, cake. Tickets are available by calling 541-549-1004

•â¯40th Anniversary Honored Quilters presented by Island Batik:

For this special 40th anniversary Quilt Show, SOQS teamed with Island Batik to shine a spotlight on the 33 quilters who have, over the years in Sisters, received special recognition as featured quilter, inspirational instructor, machine quilter of the year, or Quilt Show Sunday lecturer.

"We are thrilled to celebrate these quilters for their superb workmanship, their mastery of a wide variety of quilting techniques, and their ability to create artistic beauty in quilting," said Caleb Willis, president and CEO, Island Batik.

The honored quilters will be present at the Ruby Celebration. Each one has selected a favorite quilt which will be exhibited on Quilt Show day at the Western Title Building on West Hood Avenue between Oak and Pine streets.

•â¯More than 30 special exhibits Quilt Show day:

More than 30 special exhibits will be on display Saturday, July 11 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. throughout Sisters. Everything from celebrating the 40th anniversary, to Civil War reproduction quilts, to exhibits by students of some of the favorite Quilters Affair instructors throughout the years.

Two national touring exhibits will be displayed. The Kona Cotton 30th Anniversary exhibit presented by Robert Kaufman Fabrics shows the talent of 30 quilting superstars using Kona Cotton Solids. The 2015 QuiltCon exhibit, which is currently touring the USA, will showcase the crÃ-me de la crÃ-me of modern quilting.

Manland, Next Generation, and exhibits from guilds across Oregon will also be on display along with the annual Raffle Quilt and Raffle Bike to help support SOQS and community partners.

The Best Western Ponderosa Lodge and Reed family have created a shady spot at Town Square for visitors to take a break. In addition to local food shops and restaurants, the Sisters Rotary Club will be serving hot dogs and hamburgers with adult beverages from Three Creeks Brewery across the street from the rest area.

SOQS Sunday at FivePine Lodge and Conference Center features guest lecturer Tula Pink and an exhibit of her work. Fabric designer for FreeSpirit Fabrics, Pink's lecture and walking tours are sold out. But visitors can take a self-guided tour on the FivePine campus.

Jean Wells Keenan, SOQS chair emeritus and founder, enjoys looking back at the evolution of the Quilt Show.

"When we started, we had no idea we'd be doing this 40 years later," she reflected. "Nor did we imagine Quilt Show would grow to impact all of Central Oregon. We've thrived with the support of the quilters of the region, our volunteers, and the more than 150 local businesses who have supported us for decades. The significant investments from Robert Kaufman Fabrics and The Roundhouse Foundation in our nonprofit organization fuels everything that we are able to do for this community."