September 24-26, 2026; 9 am – 5 pm daily
Iowa State Fairgrounds
Rastettler 4-H Building, free parking
Join DMAQG for a star-studded quilt show in 2026. The quilt show will feature member quilts and special exhibits, including star themed quilts, boro and sashiko, and the President’s Challenge, among others.
Shop for finished quilts and accessories in the Quiltmaker’s Market and fabric and supplies from the vendors. Be inspired by Friendship Quilts in the Quilt Turning and learn about new techniques and products in the Lecture and Demonstration room, all included with your admission. Hands-on classes will be offered daily. Topics, cost, and registration information will be available soon.
Extend your show experience by attending the Show Banquet on Friday, September 25, at the West Des Moines Christian Church, featuring a quilted fashion show. Ticket information is at the Quilt Show Banquet link below.
We look forward to seeing you at the 2026 Quilt Show!
This year’s Raffle quilt features a constellation of blue stars sure to please any recipient. Raffle tickets are just $5 for one or $10 for three and may be purchased at the show. The quilt will also be traveling this summer to be displayed in local quilt shops—keep an eye out!
Be sure to look for our Quilt Show ad in the All Iowa Shop Hop magazine! It’s a fantastic resource for discovering and supporting quilt shops across Iowa. You’ll also find us featured in the Country Register.
– Jill Reber and Martha Henrichs, Quilt Show Co-Chairs
This quilt is a Designer Mystery Block of the Month from the Fat Quarter Shop. The completed blocks and coordinating fabric were given to DMAQG by an anonymous donor. The quilt top was completed by members of the Guild and machine quilted by Stacy Harding, Iowa Swan Quilting.
Quilt entry is now closed. If you entered quilts, thank you!! We can’t wait to see your quilts!
We will post more details about turn-in and pick up as soon as the info available.
The 2026 Quilt Turning will feature Friendship Quilts. Join us to see and learn about quilts celebrating friends and family.
Mini Classes at DMAQG 2026 Show by Woodside Quilting
These Mini classes are 2 hours for each class and $39 each which includes a kit with all the supplies needed (unless noted below). Classes are held in a classroom space at the show. Quilt Show entry ticket is required for entry to the classrooms. These classes are also all hand work requiring no sewing machines. Register for these classes at WoodsideQuilting.com.
Thursday Sept. 24, 10:00 am – Noon
Cartonnage Magic Wallet – beginner class with DMAQG (Certified Instructor – Brenda M)
Learn the art of Cartonnage – the art of making projects from fabric and chipboard – while constructing a fun Magic wallet. The class will use professional kits by ColorWay Arts. Cartonnage is a technique, originated in France in the 19th century, to create decorative and functional boxes or projects Using precut chipboard, fabric and glue, this no-sew technique is a wonderful way to create useful storage items or gifts. We will be making this beautiful and useful fabric Magic Wallet during class. There is no sewing required to make this box. You can use your own fabrics or purchase fabrics at a store in the vendor mall or Woodside Quilting with your 15% class discount. Brenda will show you what the “Magic” is all about in class. The chipboard kit provided is part of your class fee. Class fee $39
Thursday Sept. 24, 1:00 – 3:00 pm
Beginning Sashiko Hand Stitching with DMAQG (Sashiko Educator – Sarah Armstrong)
Want to learn the ancient art of Japanese Sashiko hand stitching? Then this is the class for you! We will start with the basics and an all in one beginners kit that is part of your class. With 2 needles, thread, thimble, a starter panel (12″ X 12″) and wonderful instructions. Then you can use this finished panel to make a small pouch or sewing kit for your future Sashiko stitching. Your instructor will first start with a little background of what Sashiko is all about and the numerous ways you can use Sashiko hand stitching in your future projects. In this 2 hour class you will come away with an understanding of the basics of Sashiko hand stitching and well on your way to complete your first Sashiko small project. Join us and learn a way to unwind with a “Slow Stitching” method that will enhance your future hand stitching. Class fee $39
Friday Sept. 25, 10:00 – Noon
Beginning Sashiko Hand Stitching with DMAQG (Sashiko Educator – Sarah Armstrong)
Want to learn the ancient art of Japanese Sashiko hand stitching? Then this is the class for you! We will start with the basics and an all in one beginners kit that is part of your class. With 2 needles, thread, thimble, a starter panel (12″ X 12″) and wonderful instructions. Then you can use this finished panel to make a small pouch or sewing kit for your future Sashiko stitching. Your instructor will first start with a little background of what Sashiko is all about and the numerous ways you can use Sashiko hand stitching in your future projects. In this 2 hour class you will come away with an understanding of the basics of Sashiko hand stitching and well on your way to complete your first Sashiko small project. Join us and learn a way to unwind with a “Slow Stitching” method that will enhance your future hand stitching. Class fee $39
Friday Sept. 25, 1:00 – 3:00 pm
Beginning English Paper Piecing (EPP) with DMAQG (Instructor – Diane T)
Learn the basics of English Paper Piecing and go home with a fun small project that is uniquely yours! Come learn in this 2 hour make and take. If you’ve ever had the itch to hand stitch, this is the perfect project to take along traveling, for a waiting room, or something to keep hands busy to grow into something beautiful. We will have examples of different shapes and techniques, as well as supplies to stitch while you’re here enjoying the show. You will learn basic stitching techniques, the use of EPP Papers and how to hand sew a simple block. You will also learn how EPP blocks are put together. If you like hand work or hand sewing you will love this class! Class fee $39
Saturday Sept. 26, 10:00 – Noon
Gingerbread Friends: Beginner Wool Applique Holiday Ornaments with DMAQG (Instructor – Calle’ F.)
Description: Celebrate Christmas at the DMAQG Show by creating this adorable pair of gingerbread friends ornaments. This project is a perfect introduction to wool applique and creative stitching, combining the basics of wool applique with an opportunity to practice simple stitches considered foundational to embroidery. The class kit includes all materials needed for both ornaments. Class fee $39
Saturday Sept. 26, 1:00 – 3:00 pm
Vintage Quilt labels with DMAQG (Instructor – Calle’ F.)
Come learn at the Des Moines Area Quilt Guild Show. Introduction to embroidery and creative stitching. Try your hand at creative stitching with this lovely, customized quilt label project! The class kit includes a pre-printed quilt label featuring elegant floral lines. We will learn the six most prominent embroidery stitches used in creative needlework to embellish and personalize vintage styled quilt labels. Class fee $39
Extend your show experience by attending the Show Banquet on Friday, September 25, at the West Des Moines Christian Church, featuring a quilted garment fashion show.
Menu:
USDA Choice Roast Beef
Roast Chicken Simmered in Wine
Penne with Italian Meatballs and Sausages
Italian Roast Potatoes
House Garden Salad
Fresh Baked Bread and Butter
Iced water, iced tea and coffee station
Cake for dessert
Cost: $35.00
Schedule:
5pm -6pm Social Hour
6pm Dinner
7pm Fashion Show
Location:
West Des Moines Christian Church, 4501 Mills Civic Parkway, West Des Moines, IA
In addition to judged and non-judged quilts made by DMAQG members, be sure to enjoy the following special exhibits:
OH, MY STARS – There are all kinds of stars, from celestial to Hollywood.
WRITTEN IN THE STARS – Quilters have been stitching names and words on quilts for decades.
SASHIKO AND BORO – See contemporary interpretations of these classic Japanese folk arts.
MY FAVORITE THINGS – Enjoy notions and sewing accessories from a Central Iowa collector.
STARS OF OUR HEARTS – The Central Iowa Textile Artists have curated a collection of their favorite art quilts.
STAR STRUCK – 2026 President’s Challenge. Members have been challenged to create a quilt incorporating elements from a provided list of criteria.
Gold Sponsor – Bernina USA/Woodside Quilting
Silver Sponsors – Off the Rails Quilting
Creekside Quilting
The Iowa Quilt Block
In the Beginning Fabrics/Jason Yenter
Janome/University Vacuum and Sewing
Treasured Gifts
YLI Threads
Among Quilting Friends – amongquiltingfriends.com
Cedar Creek Quilts
Cottonwood Creations – cottonwood-creations.com
Debbie’s Quilt Shop & Gifts – facebook/debbies-quilt-shop
F.O.G. Wood Turning
Hingeley Road Quilting – hingeleyroadquilting.com
Humble Heart – humbleheartquiltshop.com
K & K Logo – www.kklogo.com
Mashe Modern – mashemodern.com
Nebraska Quilt Company – nebraskaquiltcompany.com
Off the Rails Quilting – offtherailsquilting.com
Purple Pincushion – purplepincushion.shop
Quilted Steeple – quiltedsteeple.com
Quilted Strawberry
Something Stitched – somethingstitched.com
The Meandering Thread – etsy.com/shop/meanderingthread
The Woolen Needle – thewoolenneedle.com
Tillie’s Quilts – tilliesquilts.com
Treasured Gifts – treasuredgiftsllc.com
University Vacuum & Sewing – 255dust.com
Woodside Quilting – woodsidequilting.com
We can’t do the quilt show without you, please consider volunteering to help set up and/or work the show. There are many different kinds of jobs, with details of what is necessary for each before you sign up.
We’re using SignUp (the leading online SignUp and reminder tool) to organize our upcoming SignUps.
Here’s how it works in 3 easy steps:
1) Click this link to see our SignUp on SignUp: https://signup.com/go/xSAJvOq
2) Review the options listed and choose the spot(s) you like.
3) Sign up! It’s Easy – you will NOT need to register an account or keep a password on SignUp.
Note: SignUp does not share your email address with anyone. If you prefer not to use your email address, please contact Julie Hanel (Julie.hanel.quilter@gmail.com) and she can sign you up manually.
It takes many volunteers to set up and take down the show and to staff the show. We hope that everyone who is able will volunteer for a shift. Members get in free on the day they volunteer. If you volunteer on a set up day, you may choose any one of the days of the show for your free admission. Again this year, for each shift for which you volunteer, your name will be entered in a drawing for $20 gift certificates from YLI Threads.
Thank you for volunteering and making our show a success!
Our guild has offered judging for our members’ quilts since 2006 and each year around 50% of the show entries are entered to be judged by a certified quilt judge– someone who has spent years studying all aspects of quilt making and the process of judging, completed a series of steps set out by the National Association of Certified Quilt Judges (https://www.nacqj.com), and then been certified as able to professionally judge. No matter how new or experienced, we can all learn a lot from these judges. We strongly encourage all members to have their entries judged.
The primary elements and standards used by judges are:
This is not an exhaustive list, these are just the most commonly remarked upon areas. Art quilts and modern quilts are more design focused, rather than workmanship focused. Each of the elements/standards has many more specific points, depending on quilt type.
The judge tries to recognize and comment on the positives of each quilt being judged and to identify one or more areas that could benefit from improvement. When the judge is ready to decide on ribbon winners in each category, there is some agreement that design is probably most important — the quilt with the greatest visual impact (the WOW factor). This is often determined by the complexity of design (COD) and degree of difficulty (DOD). But even the quilt with the greatest visual impact cannot rescue poor workmanship.
Please contact a member of the judging committee with any questions about the judging process, best category for a particular quilt, or other questions.
Judging Committee – Eva Marie Evans
Click to download list of 2025 winners and be sure see their quilts at the show, they are amazing!
Click to watch these informative videos on our YouTube channel, or scroll down to see them here.
How to put a sleeve on your quilt
The quilt show will close promptly at 5:00 PM on Saturday.
If you plan to arrive before 4:45 PM, please note that you will not be allowed inside the building until that time. You may wait in your car or outside.
At 4:45 PM, you may enter the building through the South entrance (near the food court), where volunteers will escort you to the designated waiting area. Please do not attempt to enter through the main (West) doors — entry will not be permitted there.
Volunteers will be stationed at entrances to help direct you to the correct door.
At 5:15 PM, we will begin escorting members from the waiting area to retrieve their quilts. Pick-up order will be random — not based on arrival time.
Here’s a better option:
Arrive at 5:30 PM and enter through either the South or East entrance. Your quilts will be folded and ready for checkout, and you can walk straight to the checkout table. This will be the easiest and most efficient way to pick up your quilts.
You must bring a signed note from the quilt owner to remove their quilts from the building.
Wagons, rolling suitcases, or large carrying cases are not allowed through the main doors at any time. You may bring them into the building after 4:45 PM through the South entrance only.
Thank you for your cooperation — and for making the quilt show a success!
Bernina USA/Woodside Quilting
Off the Rails Quilting
Creekside Quilting
Janome/University Vacuum and Sewing
The Iowa Quilt Block
Treasured Gifts
In the Beginning Fabrics/Jason Yenter
YLI Threads