The West Virginia Quilt Festival
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The 2026 WV Quilt Festival will be held at Cedar Lakes in Ripley, WV September 17 - 19, 2026 Click here to see sponsorship levels for 2026! "Happy Birthday, USA!" is our theme. The 2026 WV Quilt Festival is sponsored by: Bolts and Quarters Quilt Shop Rene's Fabric & Gift Shop Foodfair Quilt Festival 2026 General Information
Please download the 2026 Festival Newsletter below for all the details! Download all forms below:
Festival Hours Thursday 9 am – 8 pm Friday 9 am – 5 pm Saturday 9 am – 4 pm Admission Costs One-day wrist bands are being sold inside the Assembly Hall and inside the Dining Hall. Adults: $10 Children Under 12: $5 Children Under 2: Free Live Music! Steve Royer and Scott Green will be performing throughout the Festival. Steve will be singing and playing classic rock tunes on his guitar. Scott will be playing a variety of music on the keyboard, recorder, etc. You may even hear him playing the accordion outside! Special Quilt Exhibit Provided by the West Virginia Modern Quilt Guild |
QUICK LINKS
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2026 Festival Vendors
Bolts and Quarters Quilt Shop ($1,000 WV Quilt Festival Sponsor) Brian McCoy has been building this Parkersburg quilting business for over ten years, but he has been quilting and designing for over 22 years. Brian is a Certified Instructor with Deb Tucker and Studio 180 Design. He offers classes, machine technical services, long arm rentals, and yards and yards of fabric. This quilt shop is open seven days a week. Email [email protected] or call 304-428-4933.
Rene’s Fabric & Gift Shop ($2,500 WV Quilt Festival Sponsor) This family-run business is located in Clay, West Virginia. Owner René Moore now stocks over 5,000 bolts of quilter-quality fabrics, and is known for having a good selection of wide backings. She carries Jack Dempsey cross-stitched quilt blocks, a large stock of embroidery floss, yarns for knitting, many notions, and loads of quilt panels and novelty prints. She can meet most of your needs with a smile, and also ships her merchandise across the U.S. The shop is open six days a week. You can find them on Facebook at Fabric & Gift Shop or call 304-587-7530.
Reynolds Sharpening Are you having issues with your scissors? What about your kitchen knives? Once again, Don Reynolds will be at the Festival to take care of all of your sharpening needs. You can contact him by emailing [email protected], or calling 304-872-4008 (H) 304-619-7594 (C). His website is reynoldssharpening.com
Side Stitchin’ Quilt Shop After a 35-year teaching career, owner Shirley Cox was able to retire from the classroom to open her shop in 2021. She now devotes all her time to her quilt shop. From pre-cuts and panels to wide backings and wool kits, Side Stitchin’ has continued to grow with the addition of classes and online sales. Shirley focuses on meeting the needs of her customers, and welcomes you to visit her shop and let her help you make your next quilt a success. You may contact her at [email protected] or phone the shop at 740-780-4072.
WV Quilt 642 Main St, Barboursville, WV Contact Lynn Dunlap at 304-302-5400 or [email protected] The website is WVQUILT.com
Norma Gensler Featherweight sewing machines
Please contact Barbara Green for information in vending at the 2026 Festival. 304-614-5452 (cell) or [email protected]
Bolts and Quarters Quilt Shop ($1,000 WV Quilt Festival Sponsor) Brian McCoy has been building this Parkersburg quilting business for over ten years, but he has been quilting and designing for over 22 years. Brian is a Certified Instructor with Deb Tucker and Studio 180 Design. He offers classes, machine technical services, long arm rentals, and yards and yards of fabric. This quilt shop is open seven days a week. Email [email protected] or call 304-428-4933.
Rene’s Fabric & Gift Shop ($2,500 WV Quilt Festival Sponsor) This family-run business is located in Clay, West Virginia. Owner René Moore now stocks over 5,000 bolts of quilter-quality fabrics, and is known for having a good selection of wide backings. She carries Jack Dempsey cross-stitched quilt blocks, a large stock of embroidery floss, yarns for knitting, many notions, and loads of quilt panels and novelty prints. She can meet most of your needs with a smile, and also ships her merchandise across the U.S. The shop is open six days a week. You can find them on Facebook at Fabric & Gift Shop or call 304-587-7530.
Reynolds Sharpening Are you having issues with your scissors? What about your kitchen knives? Once again, Don Reynolds will be at the Festival to take care of all of your sharpening needs. You can contact him by emailing [email protected], or calling 304-872-4008 (H) 304-619-7594 (C). His website is reynoldssharpening.com
Side Stitchin’ Quilt Shop After a 35-year teaching career, owner Shirley Cox was able to retire from the classroom to open her shop in 2021. She now devotes all her time to her quilt shop. From pre-cuts and panels to wide backings and wool kits, Side Stitchin’ has continued to grow with the addition of classes and online sales. Shirley focuses on meeting the needs of her customers, and welcomes you to visit her shop and let her help you make your next quilt a success. You may contact her at [email protected] or phone the shop at 740-780-4072.
WV Quilt 642 Main St, Barboursville, WV Contact Lynn Dunlap at 304-302-5400 or [email protected] The website is WVQUILT.com
Norma Gensler Featherweight sewing machines
Please contact Barbara Green for information in vending at the 2026 Festival. 304-614-5452 (cell) or [email protected]
Ripley, WV has many hotels that will be available during the Quilt Festival.
Cedar Lakes Conference Center offers several different options for overnight stays.
Call Cedar Lakes directly between 8am and 8pm to make reservations. 304-372-7860
Click here to see the list of Cedar Lakes lodging descriptions.
Cedar Lakes Conference Center offers several different options for overnight stays.
Call Cedar Lakes directly between 8am and 8pm to make reservations. 304-372-7860
Click here to see the list of Cedar Lakes lodging descriptions.
2026 Festival Class Descriptions
The Class Registration From will be available soon. Check back later.
CLASS FEES DO NOT INCLUDE ENTRY INTO THE QUILT EXHIBITS OR VENDORS.
Thursday, September 17
Sue Royer 10 Max $50 / $60
Spend a creative, relaxing day at the Festival crafting your very own 2' x 2' outdoor barn quilt in this immersive, all-day painting class designed for all skill levels. Choose from two or three beautiful quilt block designs and enjoy step-by-step guidance at an unhurried pace as you learn essential techniques—from marking precise grids and mastering clean taping methods to applying paint with confidence and understanding how colors and finishes behave. You’ll also discover the secrets to crisp tape removal and long-lasting protection with a professional topcoat. By the end of the day, you’ll leave not only with a stunning, weather-ready barn quilt, but also the skills and confidence to create more on your own.
Required kit fee of $25 will be payable to Sue Royer at class.
Ashley Maass No Max $20 / $25
Ready to take your piecing from “close enough” to crisp, clean, and accurate? In Amp Up the Accuracy: The Precision Piecing Playbook, you’ll learn the essential techniques that turn frustrating mismatched seams into beautifully aligned quilt blocks. We’ll cover practical strategies for improving cutting accuracy, mastering a true ¼" seam, nesting seams, and troubleshooting the small issues that cause blocks to go wonky. Through guided exercises and expert tips, you’ll build a toolkit of precision piecing skills you can apply to any quilt pattern. Whether you’re a confident beginner or an experienced quilter wanting sharper points and smoother construction, this class will help you sew with confidence and accuracy.
Lecture style. No supplies needed.
Sara Matheney 10 Max $20 / $25
Come join the fun in this engaging session all about the quilting notions you didn’t know you needed—featuring a mix of trusted favorites and exciting newer tools on the market. We’ll explore helpful items for your sewing space, from versatile iron features and can’t-live-without rulers to creative embroidery products and clever gadgets that can make quilting easier and more enjoyable. With a relaxed, approachable style, this class is perfect for anyone curious about what’s out there and how the right tools can simplify your process, improve accuracy, and add a little extra joy to your quilting time.
Hands on. No supplies needed.
4. 5pm - 8pm
“Ins and Outs of Hand Stitching”
Sue Cortese 24 Max $35 / $45
This class is to help to learn some tips and tricks to making hand stitching enjoyable and mediative. Hand stitches can provide a variety of textures and looks for your work. Learning how to start and stop without knots while using heavier threads like perle cotton can elevate your work. We will go through hand quilting, sashiko, and big stitch techniques. We will talk about different threads, needles and battings, as well.
Required kit fee of $30 will be payable to Sue Cortese at class.
Friday, September 18
5. 9am - noon
“Featherweight 101: A Smart Start for Future & Current Owners”
Norma Gensler 12 Max $35 / $45
Curious about the buzz surrounding the beloved Singer Featherweight sewing machines? Join us for Featherweight 101, an introduction to these iconic vintage machines that quilters can’t seem to get enough of. You’ll learn what makes the Singer Featherweight (models 221 and 222) so special—from its legendary straight stitch to its lightweight portability that has made it a favorite among quilters for generations. This class will also cover the basics of Featherweight care and maintenance, helping you understand how to keep these treasured machines running smoothly. Whether you already own one or are simply curious about the growing “Featherweight mania,” this class will give you the knowledge and confidence to appreciate—and care for—these classic machines.
If you have a featherweight, please bring it, but it is not required. Supply list (maintenance items) will be sent later.
6. 1pm – 4pm
“Gaining Confidence with Free Motion Quilting”
Sue Cortese 20 Max $35 / $45
In this class, we will learn and practice the basic shapes used in free-motion quilting. We will start the day by talking about threads, needles and basic techniques/skills. Then we will move into practicing free-motion quilting with these basic shapes moving from left to right. After that we will move into making those same basic shapes from all directions. Once we have gotten a bit comfortable with basic shapes, we will start combining shapes to make more complex shapes and fill patterns.
Domestic machine needed for class. No kit.
Saturday, September 13
10:00 am – Noon Teachers’ Medley $20 for WVQI members / $25 for non-members
Seven teachers in two hours! Spend the morning with seven quilters who will demonstrate seven unique techniques.
The Class Registration From will be available soon. Check back later.
CLASS FEES DO NOT INCLUDE ENTRY INTO THE QUILT EXHIBITS OR VENDORS.
Thursday, September 17
- 9am – noon, 2pm – 5pm
Sue Royer 10 Max $50 / $60
Spend a creative, relaxing day at the Festival crafting your very own 2' x 2' outdoor barn quilt in this immersive, all-day painting class designed for all skill levels. Choose from two or three beautiful quilt block designs and enjoy step-by-step guidance at an unhurried pace as you learn essential techniques—from marking precise grids and mastering clean taping methods to applying paint with confidence and understanding how colors and finishes behave. You’ll also discover the secrets to crisp tape removal and long-lasting protection with a professional topcoat. By the end of the day, you’ll leave not only with a stunning, weather-ready barn quilt, but also the skills and confidence to create more on your own.
Required kit fee of $25 will be payable to Sue Royer at class.
- 10am – noon
Ashley Maass No Max $20 / $25
Ready to take your piecing from “close enough” to crisp, clean, and accurate? In Amp Up the Accuracy: The Precision Piecing Playbook, you’ll learn the essential techniques that turn frustrating mismatched seams into beautifully aligned quilt blocks. We’ll cover practical strategies for improving cutting accuracy, mastering a true ¼" seam, nesting seams, and troubleshooting the small issues that cause blocks to go wonky. Through guided exercises and expert tips, you’ll build a toolkit of precision piecing skills you can apply to any quilt pattern. Whether you’re a confident beginner or an experienced quilter wanting sharper points and smoother construction, this class will help you sew with confidence and accuracy.
Lecture style. No supplies needed.
- 1pm – 3pm
Sara Matheney 10 Max $20 / $25
Come join the fun in this engaging session all about the quilting notions you didn’t know you needed—featuring a mix of trusted favorites and exciting newer tools on the market. We’ll explore helpful items for your sewing space, from versatile iron features and can’t-live-without rulers to creative embroidery products and clever gadgets that can make quilting easier and more enjoyable. With a relaxed, approachable style, this class is perfect for anyone curious about what’s out there and how the right tools can simplify your process, improve accuracy, and add a little extra joy to your quilting time.
Hands on. No supplies needed.
4. 5pm - 8pm
“Ins and Outs of Hand Stitching”
Sue Cortese 24 Max $35 / $45
This class is to help to learn some tips and tricks to making hand stitching enjoyable and mediative. Hand stitches can provide a variety of textures and looks for your work. Learning how to start and stop without knots while using heavier threads like perle cotton can elevate your work. We will go through hand quilting, sashiko, and big stitch techniques. We will talk about different threads, needles and battings, as well.
Required kit fee of $30 will be payable to Sue Cortese at class.
Friday, September 18
5. 9am - noon
“Featherweight 101: A Smart Start for Future & Current Owners”
Norma Gensler 12 Max $35 / $45
Curious about the buzz surrounding the beloved Singer Featherweight sewing machines? Join us for Featherweight 101, an introduction to these iconic vintage machines that quilters can’t seem to get enough of. You’ll learn what makes the Singer Featherweight (models 221 and 222) so special—from its legendary straight stitch to its lightweight portability that has made it a favorite among quilters for generations. This class will also cover the basics of Featherweight care and maintenance, helping you understand how to keep these treasured machines running smoothly. Whether you already own one or are simply curious about the growing “Featherweight mania,” this class will give you the knowledge and confidence to appreciate—and care for—these classic machines.
If you have a featherweight, please bring it, but it is not required. Supply list (maintenance items) will be sent later.
6. 1pm – 4pm
“Gaining Confidence with Free Motion Quilting”
Sue Cortese 20 Max $35 / $45
In this class, we will learn and practice the basic shapes used in free-motion quilting. We will start the day by talking about threads, needles and basic techniques/skills. Then we will move into practicing free-motion quilting with these basic shapes moving from left to right. After that we will move into making those same basic shapes from all directions. Once we have gotten a bit comfortable with basic shapes, we will start combining shapes to make more complex shapes and fill patterns.
Domestic machine needed for class. No kit.
Saturday, September 13
10:00 am – Noon Teachers’ Medley $20 for WVQI members / $25 for non-members
Seven teachers in two hours! Spend the morning with seven quilters who will demonstrate seven unique techniques.
- Ashley Stephens: “Pattern Matching Your Strips for Binding, Borders, etc.”
- Ashley Maass: “Dip, Dry, Quilt! A Quick Guide to Dunk Starching”
- Abby Hutson: "T-Shirt Quilts in Ten: An Intro to Making T-Shirt Quilts"
- Sandy Sheffield: "Let Me Show You Your New FAVORITE Sewing Tool"
- Erika Angel: "A Modern Spin on EPP"
- Norma Gensler: "Singer Featherweights...Why All the Hype!?"
- Eileen Farren: "Budget Buster Notion Dupes"
2026 Festival Schedule
Tuesday June 30: Quilt Entry Form deadline
Tuesday, September 15
9am – Noon Quilt Intake (Drop off) Vocational Building Remember your forms!
Noon – ? Judging and Hanging Vocational Building, Assembly & Dining Hall
Wednesday, September 16
8am - ? Judging and Hanging Vocational Building, Assembly & Dining Hall
8am – 6pm Vendor set-up Assembly & Dining Hall
Thursday, September 17
9am – 8pm Quilt Displays & Vendors Open Assembly & Dining Hall
9am – 3pm Silent Little Quilt Auction Open Assembly Hall
9am – noon, 2-5pm Class: "Think Big: Paint a Barn Quilt” Vocational Building
10am-noon Class: “Amp Up the Accuracy: The Precision Piecing Playbook” Vocational Building
1pm – 3pm Class: “My Favorite Things: Quilting Notions That Actually Work” Vocational Building
5pm - 8pm Class: "Ins and Outs of Hand Stitching” Vocational Building
Friday, September 18
9am – 8pm Quilt Displays & Vendors Open Assembly & Dining Hall
Quilt Documentation Holt Lodge
9am – 3pm Silent Little Quilt Auction Open Assembly Hall
9am - noon Class: "Featherweight 101: A Smart Start for Future & Current Owners” Vocational Building
1pm – 4pm Class: “Gaining Confidence with Free Motion Quilting” Vocational Building
7pm WVQI General Meeting Jackson Hall
Lecture by Sue Cortese: "Learning to Look"
Saturday, September 19
9 am – 4 pm Quilt Displays & Vendors Open Assembly & Dining Hall
Quilt Documentation Holt Lodge
9 am – 3 pm Silent Little Quilt Auction Open Assembly Hall
10 am – noon Teachers’ Medley Vocational Building
5 – 6 pm Quilt pick-up at the Vocational Building
Remember your forms!
Numbers for picking quilts up at 5 pm will be available at the Assembly Hall Entrance Table (next to Bolts & Quarters) at noon on Saturday.
Documentation Project
You are invited to participate in the West Virginia Quilt Documentation to be held in the Vocational Building each day of the Festival. The West Virginia Quilt Documentation Project gathers information on quilts that were made in or that currently “reside” in West Virginia.
If you would like to volunteer to help and learn about the process, please contact Roberta Gellner. If you have a quilt to be documented, make an appointment with Roberta, and a team of volunteers will measure, photograph, date, and identify the quilt pattern. It takes 30-40 minutes to have your quilt documented, and you can either stay and watch the process (highly recommended) or take in the quilt show (also highly recommended!)
Bring information and pictures of the quiltmaker, if available; “maker unknown” quilts are also welcomed. Data gathered will be stored in the WV Culture Center Archives, and will be uploaded to the Quilt Index (www.quiltindex.org). Information about quilt ownership will remain confidential.
Contact Roberta Gellner at 304.893.8324 or at [email protected]
Tuesday June 30: Quilt Entry Form deadline
Tuesday, September 15
9am – Noon Quilt Intake (Drop off) Vocational Building Remember your forms!
Noon – ? Judging and Hanging Vocational Building, Assembly & Dining Hall
Wednesday, September 16
8am - ? Judging and Hanging Vocational Building, Assembly & Dining Hall
8am – 6pm Vendor set-up Assembly & Dining Hall
Thursday, September 17
9am – 8pm Quilt Displays & Vendors Open Assembly & Dining Hall
9am – 3pm Silent Little Quilt Auction Open Assembly Hall
9am – noon, 2-5pm Class: "Think Big: Paint a Barn Quilt” Vocational Building
10am-noon Class: “Amp Up the Accuracy: The Precision Piecing Playbook” Vocational Building
1pm – 3pm Class: “My Favorite Things: Quilting Notions That Actually Work” Vocational Building
5pm - 8pm Class: "Ins and Outs of Hand Stitching” Vocational Building
Friday, September 18
9am – 8pm Quilt Displays & Vendors Open Assembly & Dining Hall
Quilt Documentation Holt Lodge
9am – 3pm Silent Little Quilt Auction Open Assembly Hall
9am - noon Class: "Featherweight 101: A Smart Start for Future & Current Owners” Vocational Building
1pm – 4pm Class: “Gaining Confidence with Free Motion Quilting” Vocational Building
7pm WVQI General Meeting Jackson Hall
Lecture by Sue Cortese: "Learning to Look"
Saturday, September 19
9 am – 4 pm Quilt Displays & Vendors Open Assembly & Dining Hall
Quilt Documentation Holt Lodge
9 am – 3 pm Silent Little Quilt Auction Open Assembly Hall
10 am – noon Teachers’ Medley Vocational Building
5 – 6 pm Quilt pick-up at the Vocational Building
Remember your forms!
Numbers for picking quilts up at 5 pm will be available at the Assembly Hall Entrance Table (next to Bolts & Quarters) at noon on Saturday.
Documentation Project
You are invited to participate in the West Virginia Quilt Documentation to be held in the Vocational Building each day of the Festival. The West Virginia Quilt Documentation Project gathers information on quilts that were made in or that currently “reside” in West Virginia.
If you would like to volunteer to help and learn about the process, please contact Roberta Gellner. If you have a quilt to be documented, make an appointment with Roberta, and a team of volunteers will measure, photograph, date, and identify the quilt pattern. It takes 30-40 minutes to have your quilt documented, and you can either stay and watch the process (highly recommended) or take in the quilt show (also highly recommended!)
Bring information and pictures of the quiltmaker, if available; “maker unknown” quilts are also welcomed. Data gathered will be stored in the WV Culture Center Archives, and will be uploaded to the Quilt Index (www.quiltindex.org). Information about quilt ownership will remain confidential.
Contact Roberta Gellner at 304.893.8324 or at [email protected]
2026 NACQJ Judge
Sue Cortese
From Sue's website: My name is Sue Cortese. I'm a quilter, fabric dyer, artist, long-arm quilter, teacher, vendor and a quilt judge.
I started quilting and dyeing fabric in 1995 while living in Green River, WY. My original quilting goal was to make a quilt in every style and pattern. This goal has led me to experiment with various techniques and styles over the years. On my third or fourth quilt, I started going my own way and altering designs and patterns. I wanted my quilts to be unique. Thus, I began changing the colors, dyeing my own fabric, and using different borders and settings. I enjoy traditional quilts as well as art quilts, machine quilting as well as hand quilting, bright colors as well as toned… why limit yourself!
I grew up in Buffalo, New York, and attended State University of New York at Fredonia. After moving from Wyoming to West Michigan, I began working and teaching at a quilt shop. I took full advantage of nationally known teachers brought in every other month by the local quilt guild. I still live in West Michigan, where I long-arm quilt for others, teach out of my home studio, as well as judge, teach and lecture for quilt shows and guilds. My work has been recognized in local and regional quilt shows, Quilt National, Form Not Function, Excellence in Fiber & Quilts, AQS Shows, Quilter's Newsletter Magazine, and Muskegon Museum of Art. I am currently a Regional Rep for SAQA and am a current member (past board member) of the National Association of Certified Quilt Judges.
