The Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show – Reimagined!

The world’s largest outdoor quilt show is celebrating its 45th anniversary this year with its biggest audience yet – the entire internet! In light of COVID-19, the Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show is going virtual this year. Fans of the festival will be able to see the same exciting exhibits and displays they expect and love, in high definition from the comfort and safety of their homes.

“Our priority continues to be the health and safety of our volunteers, guests, and all community members. And as such we are following the best health protocols at this time. Sadly, that includes restructuring what our show day will look like,” said Dawn Boyd, executive director of SOQS in a recent press release.

If you’ve never been to this famous outdoor quilt show, this is the perfect time to check it out risk-free. Read on to learn everything you need to know about The Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show and how to tune in this year.

What is the Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show?

The largest outdoor quilt show in the world brings quilting fans and enthusiasts to Sisters, Oregon every July to ooh and ahh over more than 1,300 quilts made by some of the best fiber artists in the world. This full celebration of all things quilting and fiber arts includes expert-led workshops, demonstrations, and live entertainment – in addition to its famous quilt displays, of course!

Each year, more than 10,000 fans and master quilters flock to downtown Sisters to purchase unique handmade quilts, learn new tricks of the craft, and celebrate their love for these cozy crafts. Now a staple of Sisters culture, the Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show is led by a non-profit organization that uses all proceeds from the event to enrich and strengthen the community’s vibrant art industry.

That’s what the show is now – but how did this quilting mania start?

The Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show History

The show is as steeped in history as it is in quality fabrics. It began in 1975 when Jean Wells Keenan hung a dozen handmade quilts outside of her quilt shop on a warm July Saturday. Ladies from around Sisters began bringing their own quilts to show, turning it into an annual summer event that grew each year.

The Stitchin’ Post is still in business today and is still a central point for the (now much larger) quilt show. The culture and art of quilting have become richly ingrained in the Sisters community, which now has a dozen active quilt guilds and a half dozen quilt shops.

How to Attend the Reimagined Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show

To see the reimagined quilt show in all its virtual glory, tune in to the show’s website and social media accounts. Starting July 11, 2020, the Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show will have virtual exhibits, quilt displays, and more available to watch during and after the event. We recommend you tune in as soon as possible, as fun contests and giveaways are counting down the days until the big day!

Many of the days most beloved events are joining the virtual fun. The annual Quilt Raffle will be drawn virtually at 4 p.m. on the day of the event; tickets can be bought through the SOQS website. Quilts will also be available for purchase online during and after the event.

For more information on this and future quilt shows, view the website’s FAQs.

The Outdoor Quilt Show may be virtual, but there’s still plenty of in-person fun to be had in Sisters! This quaint Oregon town is home to several can’t-miss annual events and offers thrilling outdoor adventures year-round. View our area guide for information on the town and browse our Sisters rentals to book your central Oregon adventure today!