Quilter’s Affair or Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show

Hi Everybody,

I thought I would pop in here and write a little about my experience at Quilter’s Affair or better known in my circle as The Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show put on by The Stitchin Post.

First of all …living in the PNW as a quilter I think everyone assumes you have at least been to this show once in your life…I hadn’t. Every summer quilters talk about it and it’s a BIG deal.

If you haven’t heard of it. It is a show that started 49 years ago by Jean Wells and the whole town of Sisters, OR is converted into a quilt show. Every business, park and building throughout town is covered with more than 1000 quilts which creates the outdoor quilt show.

More than 10, 000 people come from all over the country/world to experience this show.

It’s always the second Saturday of July. The week before the show they bring in more than 30 teachers/designers for workshops and various other events.

They work for more than 15 months to bring this event to fruition every year. In fact they contacted me at the end of July last year to teach this year. So as soon as this show ends they start working on the show for next year. CRAZY!! so AWESOME!! Next year is their 50th anniversary so I am sure it’s going to be a HUGE event.

When they bring in the instructors they tell us that we don’t get our own rooms, we have to share with an assigned roomie. Someone I most likely don’t know. That is so scary! It’s such a vulnerable thing and I have weird sleeping habits (as many of you know) and I just have to have down time. I get so much anxiety going to these types of things….what if you are stuck with someone terrible? or someone that hates you?

Well thankfully I got Anna Bates. She is AMAZING! She is so sweet. She is funny and kind and she has all of the same kind of habits that I do. So down to earth and just easy to be around. PTL!!

This year I had the honor of teaching 4 workshops.

Brilliant, Rejoice, Penny Notes and Deer Bouquet.

When I walked into the high school this was the first image:

My Deer Bouquet quilt is right in the middle. The yellow quilt next to it is Sujata Shaw’s quilt. I met her several months ago and she is such a kind and inspirational person. I recognized it right way.

Then I went looking for my classroom:

This is the classroom that I taught in all week. It just put a little pep in my step when I saw the little sign with my name. How is this happening? I can’t really describe it all. Quilting has given me so many opportunities that I wouldn’t otherwise have and I am ever so grateful.

My first pattern ever published was hand embroidery. Still my first love:

I just have to give a little shout out to the Alpacas. LOL! It’s a thing here. They are every where and so- so cute!

To the people who signed up to take my class for whatever reason…a million Thank Yous. I had an amazing experience. I feel so honored that you took time out of your days to spend with me. Truly.

If you ever have the opportunity to visit Quilter’s Affair (Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show) you should….it’s a magical place.

Many Blessings

Charisma