The second annual Bainbridge Island Quilt Festival took place on 13th September. This Festival was initiated in 2013, by Barbara Kirk, owner of Esther’s Fabrics on Bainbridge Island. Barbara was inspired by the joy and beauty of the annual Sister’s Quilt Show held outdoors in Sisters, OR and wanted to put on a similar but smaller venture on Bainbridge. The Bainbridge Island Modern Quilt Guild collaborated with Esther’s Fabrics and other local businesses to display the quilts on our main street in Winslow.

It was a warm sunny day and the locals, as well as many visitors, were delighted by the colorful array of quilts. I gave a lecture in Mount Vernon in the morning and drove back in the afternoon. Unfortunately, the ferry traffic was backed up at Edmonds so I had to sit and wait. I arrived at the quilt show at 5.00 p.m. just as quilt take down was starting, so I hurried along the street to see as much as possible.

I arrived in time to see my own entry still hanging. Catherine’s Lone Star, made for my niece, was hanging outside the Wildernest Outdoor Store.The stunning Log Cabin quilt was made by Terry Lay and machine quilted with gorgeous feathers by Marybeth O’Halloran. It hangs with a traditional Nine-Patch made by Emily Steed and quilted by Amy Steed.

These two quilts caught my attention. The classic red and white Snail Trails and Stars quilt entitled Supernova looked striking. It was made by Ki Kilcher and quilted by Teresa Levitt. The attractive Bordered Diamonds was made from a Kaffe Fassett pattern and Kaffe fabrics by Heather Kitchen and quilted by Country Threads. Next year, I hope to be at the show for the whole day and to take a more active part in volunteering to help.