I hardly know where to begin to tell you about my week in Sisters, Oregon, home of the largest outdoor quilt show in the world. This year the unthinkable happened on Saturday, July 14, the day of the show: a BIG rainstorm in the middle of the afternoon! This is the first time in the 37-year history of the show that rain has forced an early closure.
It was midafternoon before menacing clouds rolled in and the first few drops spattered on the ground. By the time the rain was falling in earnest, thousands of people in the streets had taken cover inside shops or bolted for their cars, and scores of volunteers had already taken down the quilts that were not under cover. Luckily, quilt lovers had most of the day to enjoy the 1400 or so quilts hanging outside buildings in this charming little town in Central Oregon.
One thing I really liked about the show this year was the mix of traditional and contemporary quilts. Here, in no particular order, is a sampling of the quilts that caught my eye.
![New Directions by Vivienne Moore of Salem OR](https://firstlightdesigns.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/New-Directions-40-x-54-vivienne-moore-salem-or.jpg)
![Heirloom Stars by Frances Jagodzinski of Salem OR](https://firstlightdesigns.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/heirloom-stars-by-frances-jagodzinski.jpg)
![Fall Colors by Kitty Amaral](https://firstlightdesigns.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/fall-colors-by-kitty-amaral.jpg)
![Diamond Lil by Mary Parsons](https://firstlightdesigns.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/diamond-lil-by-mary-parsons.jpg)
![Cercles de Soleil by Barbara Cook](https://firstlightdesigns.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/cercles-de-Soleil-by-barbara-cook.jpg)
![Orange Delight by Susan Denton](https://firstlightdesigns.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/orange-delight-73-x-73-susan-denton-redmond-or.jpg)
![Friendship Village by Deb Soren](https://firstlightdesigns.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/friendship-village-by-deb-soren.jpg)
![Touch of Green by Lillian Walter](https://firstlightdesigns.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/touch-of-green-by-lillian-walter.jpg)
![Random Crossroads II by Patty Six](https://firstlightdesigns.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/random-crossroads-II-by-patty-six.jpg)
![Red Wine in a Floral Arrangement](https://firstlightdesigns.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/red-wine-in-a-floral-arrangement-by-nancy-fischer.jpg)
![Bird Bath by Michelle McMicken of Bend OR](https://firstlightdesigns.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/bird-bath-resized.jpg)
![Bird Bath by Ruth Fidino](https://firstlightdesigns.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/bird-bath-by-ruth-fidino.jpg)
![Lady Liberty Does Laundry by Tammy MacArthur](https://firstlightdesigns.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/lady-liberty-does-laundryby-tammy-mac-arthur.jpg)
![Ultra Veggie by Barbara Lowery](https://firstlightdesigns.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/ultra-veggie-by-barbara-lowery.jpg)
![Fantastic by Lynn Christensen](https://firstlightdesigns.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/fantastic-by-lynn-christensen.jpg)
![Deep Blue Seas by Terry Potter](https://firstlightdesigns.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/deep-blue-seas-by-terry-potter.jpg)
It started to rain just as I came upon the display of quilts by Portland Modern Quilt Guild members. I was able to snap just a few photos, including this one by Linda:
![Reflections by Linda Nussbaum](https://firstlightdesigns.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/reflections-by-linda-n.jpg)
. . . and this one by Gail:
![Villa Villa Kula Quilt by Gail Weiss](https://firstlightdesigns.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/villa-vill-kula-quilt-by-gail-weiss.jpg)
The employees of the Stitchin’ Post had their own display, and here are two of my favorites:
![Patchwork Sisters by Terri Kirchart](https://firstlightdesigns.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/patchwork-sisters-by-terri-kirchart.jpg)
![Quilt Show in the Village by La Cressa Sherrer](https://firstlightdesigns.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/quilt-show-in-the-village-by-la-cressa-sherrer.jpg)
In my next post, I’ll tell you a bit about the excellent class on creating quilting motifs that I took from Janet Fogg and show you some amazing machine quilting on quilts at the show. I’ll finish up the report of my wonderful week in Sisters with a recap of what I did (and didn’t) get accomplished. Thanks for visiting, and please check back!
I’ve wondered what happened if it rained during that quilt show, sounds like they had a plan. I’m glad you’re home and happier still you had a wonderful time. Will be eager to read all about it in the coming days. Love all the quilts, I think Quilt Show in the Village is my favorite.
A quilt along those lines is definitely in my future, Thelma! I’ve been collecting pictures of house blocks for about a year now.
Glad you were still able to make your way around and enjoy many of the quilts before the deluge! Thanks for sharing photos – I was especially drawn to “Friendship Village” and “Random Crossroads” but can see why you chose to remember so many of these! (And thanks for posting mine!)