Quilt Show 2026
Celebrate 50 years of creativity, craftsmanship, and community at the Grand Meadow Heritage Center’s Quilt & Fiberworks Show. What began as a small gathering of passionate makers has grown into a beloved tradition, showcasing stunning quilts, intricate fiber art, and the stories stitched into every piece.
Join us as we honor the rich heritage of quilting while embracing the creativity of today. Explore beautiful exhibits, connect with talented artisans, discover unique vendors, and be inspired by the artistry and dedication that have carried this event through five decades.
Whether you’re a lifelong quilter, a fiber art enthusiast, or simply curious, there’s something here for everyone. Come be part of this milestone celebration and experience the threads that continue to bring our community together.
Ready to show off your stitches? Here’s everything you need to know to enter!
Bring your most patriotic entries to the Quilt & Fiberworks Show this year!
What happens when you combine quilting, friendly competition, and a little pedal power? You get our Treadle Machine Jelly Roll Races!
Participants will race against the clock and fellow quilters using historic treadle sewing machines, putting both their quilting skills and their legs to the test!
Not familiar with a Jelly Roll? It’s a collection of 40 coordinating 2½-inch fabric strips. During the race, participants will sew the strips together to create a quilt top as quickly as they can.
We’ll supply the Jelly Roll, but you’ll need to bring your own working treadle sewing machine and basic sewing supplies.
It’s fast-paced, fun, and a little different than your average quilting competition. Think you have what it takes to pedal your way to the finish line?
Sign up here:
https://forms.gle/gR2m83MVJnAWTuaq6
Did you know that indigo doesn’t start out blue?
One of the most fascinating natural dyes in history will be making an appearance at this year’s Grand Meadow Heritage Festival!
For thousands of years, people around the world have used plants such as woad, dyer’s knotweed, and indigo to create one of the most difficult natural colors to achieve: a beautiful, color-fast blue. Indigo has a fascinating place in history, from becoming an important crop in colonial South Carolina to being used to dye the denim that became our familiar blue jeans. It even has a connection to the “field of blue” on the American flag!
But the real magic happens when you see the dye itself.
Natural indigo isn’t soluble in water, so creating an indigo dye vat requires a fascinating chemical process called reduction. Once the vat is ready, the dye can be absorbed by natural fibers. When those fibers are pulled from the vat and exposed to oxygen, something amazing happens right before your eyes.
Yellow turns to green…then slowly transforms into blue!
And with repeated dips in the dye vat, deeper and richer shades of blue can be created.
Come to the Quilt & Fiberworks Show during the festival to learn more about the history and science behind this remarkable natural dye and watch an Indigo Dye Demonstration in person.
And don’t just watch! Andrea will be spinning fiber at the show and will have hands-on indigo dye kits available for all ages, giving you the chance to try the process yourself and create something to take home.
It’s history, fiber arts, a little science, and a whole lot of BLUE—all happening at the Heritage Festival!
Come see the color change for yourself, meet Andrea, try your hand at indigo dyeing, and discover why this remarkable natural dye has fascinated people for thousands of years.
Quilt & Fiberworks Show
Grand Meadow Heritage Festival
September 12–13, 2026
We’re excited to welcome Gallagher’s Retreat to this year’s Quilt & Fiberworks Show!
Be sure to stop by their booth, say hello, and learn more about all they have to offer. While you’re there, you’ll also have a chance to enter their raffle for a retreat stay! A little inspiration, a little quilting, and maybe even a future getaway could be waiting for you!
Gallagher’s Retreat is also the Grand Prize Sponsor for our 50 & Under Division, helping us celebrate the creativity and talent of our younger quilters.
We’re so grateful for their support of the Quilt & Fiberworks Show, and we can’t wait to have them with us for this special weekend!
