Coming Up This Weekend: the 14th Annual Bainbridge Quilt Festival, Plus the Creative Thread Fest, Across the Street
Mark your calendars and plan to attend the Bainbridge Quilt Festival, to be held on Saturday, September 12, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the grounds of the Winslow Green. The 14the annual Festival is being held in conjunction with the Creative Thread Festival, where kids will enjoy a “seek and find” activity to engage them with the 200 quilts on display.
This year, there will be a table with information about the quilt-making process and an activity aimed at allowing participants to design their own quilt block. All attendees can vote for their favorite quilt for the Viewer’s Choice Award (The top three winners get quilt shop gift cards).
In addition, those in attendance at this free event can purchase $2 raffle tickets to win this year’s gorgeous “Bloom Chain” raffle quilt made by Bainbridge Island Modern Quilt Guild members, and can purchase $20 homemade mini-quilt coaster sets that are each their own works of art. All proceeds help support the cost of the quilt show and quilting education activities.
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Festival attendees at the Creative Thread Festival, located across the street in the parking lot of Eagle Harbor Church, can look forward to live music, delicious food, artist demonstrations, and hands-on opportunities to learn about a variety of fiber arts and textile techniques. Whether you’re an experienced maker, a quilting enthusiast, or simply curious about fiber arts, there will be something for everyone to enjoy.
Local Artists & Vendors: Stop by and visit our local artists and vendors who will be setting up booths at the festival.
Outcast Knits and Designs | Custom designed knitwear made from hand spun yarns, quilted coats.
The Curious Artisan | Handmade crocket and knit miniatures.
Lacemakers of Puget Sound | Featuring several different types of lace making projects, Including a “try it” pillow for interested attendees.
Way Cool Stuff | Hand spun art yarn, hand knit felt bags, scarves, unique jewelry.
Mindful Threads Project | Fabric pins, magnets, crocheted baskets, keychains, plushies.
Emily Patterson | Antique Navajo jewelry.
Little Island Crafts | Crafting Kits and tatting Demo.
Napat Craft | Crochet, Appliqué, sewn fabric bags.
Sierra Kreun | Printed knitwear design patterns focused on Designs for Social Knitting.
Esther’s Fabrics | Quilt kits, embroidery kits, iron-on patches.
Nova Vita | Women’s / vintage clothing.
Pacos Tacos (Food) | Family-owned, authentic Mexican flavors made fresh daily.
The Village Perk (Coffee) | Hand crafted drinks from locally sourced roaster straight out of PNW.
Helpline House (Info) | Sharing non-profit info for the benefit of the community.
How did it all get started, you ask? Back in 2013, Barbara Kirk, a local fabric store owner, along with other Guild members, conceived of the quilt show idea. Since then, the festival endured the Pandemic and found a new home. Long-time locals might recall that it was originally held in front of stores in Downtown Winslow. A few years back, organizers decided to move it to the Winslow Green, where quilts can be displayed on scaffolding, which makes them viewable from both sides. Visitors enjoyed the new location and the enhanced viewing aspect of the quilts.
As previously mentioned, this year’s event will feature more than 200 quilts created by local quilters from throughout the Kitsap Peninsula. According to promoters, the festival is a “vibrant and festive event, attracting as many as 1,200 visitors.” Some of the participants will be offering their quilts for sale; purchases are handled directly from the quilter and contact information can be had at the Information Booth on Winslow Green.
As we all know, the weather in the Pacific Northwest, and specifically Bainbridge Island, is typically sunny and mild during the month of September. However, in the event of rain, quilts will only be hung in protected areas, away from the rain—additional space in the past has been provided by Eagle Harbor Congregational Church.
The Bainbridge Island Modern Quilt Guild is a non-profit organization designed for charitable and educational purposes. Modern quilting incorporates function rather than decoration in its quilts. Using asymmetry in designs, relying less on repetition, reinterpreting traditional quilt patterns, and embracing simplicity and minimalism.
Guild quilters use alternative block structure and increase the use of negative space—concentrating on bold colors, graphic prints, and gray and white as neutrals. Their quilts are inspired by modern art and architecture, and they frequently use improvisational piecing methods.
The BIMQG encourages the art of modern quilting by working with other guilds and groups and teaching new quilters and other fiber artists that are interested in non-traditional fiber projects.
Classes, workshops and the sharing of information are available by visiting their website for more information. Monthly Sew-Ins are held the second Sunday of each month (except May which is the third Sunday), from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Meeting sites vary monthly, and updates are available on their Facebook page, or you can join their email list for updated information. Learn more about the festival at the quilt festival website. And the Creative Thread Festival: https://bainbridgecurrents.com/creative-thread-festival
The Island Wanderer’s former Editor & Publisher Margaret Millmore contributed to this report.
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