Quilt Festival 2026 in Cedar Falls IA

The Keepsake Quilters Guild of the Cedar Valley is pleased to present its biennial Quilt Festival 2026, a two-day celebration of quilting artistry and American heritage.
Festival Hours
• Friday, October 2, 2026: 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
• Saturday, October 3, 2026: 9:00 am – 3:00 pm
The festival will be held at 718 Clay Street, Cedar Falls, Iowa, within First United Methodist Church.
This year’s Quilt Festival commemorates America’s 250th anniversary and celebrates the important role quilts have played throughout our nation’s history. More than 150 quilts created by Guild members will be on display, including bed quilts of various sizes, appliqué quilts, panel quilts, children’s themed quilts, wearables and accessories, and quilted home décor items. Visitors will have the opportunity to vote for their favorite quilts in each category, with ribbons awarded to Guild members receiving the most votes.
A special highlight of the festival will be a gallery of more than 50 wall hangings inspired by American heritage. Designs may feature national monuments and parks, patriotic symbols, barn quilts, historic landmarks, and other interpretations of our nation’s story, showcasing the creativity and craftsmanship of Guild members.
Featured at Quilt Festival 2026 is a stunning queen-sized Bargello quilt, pieced and quilted by two Guild members. The quilt’s striking design creates an illusion of movement through vibrant reds and blues accented with yellow, while intricate quilting enhances the dramatic visual effect. Raffle tickets will be available at the door for $1 each or six tickets for $5.
Throughout the festival, visitors may attend one of several “Bed Turning” presentations featuring more than 20 Bargello quilts created by Guild members.
Bed Turning Schedule
• Friday, October 2nd: 11:00 am, 1:00 pm, 3:00 pm, 4:30 pm
• Saturday, October 3rd: 10:00 am, 11:30 am, 1:30 p.m.
The presentations will explore the Bargello quilting style, which uses carefully arranged strips of fabric to create flowing waves, curves, and geometric patterns that give the illusion of movement and depth.
The festival venue is fully accessible and conveniently located within two blocks of Cedar Falls’ award-winning Downtown District, offering visitors easy access to shopping and dining. The Guild’s charitable outreach program, Quilts to Share, will be featured with a selection of donated quilting items available for purchase. Proceeds will support the creation of additional quilts for donation throughout the community.
Festival guests may also bid on themed gift baskets and shop with six quilt and craft vendors offering a variety of quilting supplies, fabrics, and handmade items. Lunch and refreshments will be available for purchase on-site.
The Keepsake Quilters Guild looks forward to welcoming visitors to an inspiring display of quilting artistry, creativity, and community spirit. Mark your calendars and join us in Cedar Falls on October 2nd and 3rd for Quilt Festival 2026!