Newcomers and experts welcomed to ‘Quilt Fest 2026’ next week

POCATELLO – An organization centered on the art of quilting will hold a fundraiser next week, where people looking to learn how to start quilting will have the chance to do so.

On Friday and Saturday, Oct. 2 and Oct. 3, the Portneuf Valley Quilters Guild will put on “Quilt Fest 2026” at the Mountain View Event Center in Pocatello. The event, which raises funds for the guild, will feature over two dozen demonstrations, as well as a variety of vendors selling the materials people will need to either begin their next quilt or embark on their first.

“The Quilters Guild is here to promote the art of quilting, and so we do that by teaching. … If you’re a beginner and you want to learn more about quilting, the Quilt Fest is a great place to be,” said Deborah McHugh, Quilt Fest spokeswoman.

McHugh, who has been in the guild for about eight years, doesn’t know exactly how long Quilt Fest has been running. However, she said it’s been held at the Mountain View Event Center, located at 1567 Way to Grace Avenue, since around 2022.

After attendees pay $5 for admission to the fundraiser, they’ll be able to browse the wares of 14 vendors and view nearly 200 quilts on display. Throughout the day, there will be demonstrations teaching newcomers how to quilt and care for quilting needles, as well as more specific sessions on different quilting techniques.

Here is the full schedule of both days of demonstrations.

Friday, Oct. 3

• 11:00 p.m. to 11:20 p.m. – The Coolest Scissors Quilter’s – Attic-Carla Grey
• 11:30 p.m. to 11:50 p.m. – Tips for Beginning Quilters – Ellen McKinley-PVQG
• 12:00 p.m. to 12:20 p.m. – Easy Bargello Quilts – Karlene Hunt-PVQG
• 12:30 p.m. to 12:50 p.m. – Fun With Collage – Christine Moll-PVQG
• 1:00 p.m. to 1:20 p.m. – Wool Applique for Beginners – Karen Tolman & Linda Elle-PVQG
• 1:30 p.m. to 1:50 p.m. – Dimensional Fabric Flowers – Diana Cary-Heritage Quilt Museum
• 2:00 p.m. to 2:20 p.m. – What to DO with ALL Those Scraps – Sandy Martin-Caribou Quilt Guild
• 2:30 p.m. to 2:50 p.m. – Fusible Applique Gary’s Sewing Center – Jenni Berg
• 3:00 p.m. to 3:20 p.m. – Basic Freezer Paper – Connie Canning-PVQG
• 3:30 p.m. to 3:50 p.m. – Crazy Patch Quilting – Judy Ward-A Common Thread
• 4:00 p.m. to 4:20 p.m. – Needle Health and Life – Alan’s Quilt & Vac-Alan Fairbanks
• 4:30 p.m. to 4:50 p.m. – A Bit of Fascinating Quilt History – Jill Barber-PVQG
• 5:00 p.m. to 5:20 p.m. – Ultimate Flying Geese Rulers – Cherry Tree Cottage Quilts-Machelle Preston

Saturday, Oct. 4

• 10:00 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. – Bring in Your Vintage Quilt to Learn More – Jill Barber-PVQG
• 11:00 a.m. to 11:20 a.m. – Fun With Machine Embroidery – Juanita Wacaster-PVQG
• 11:30 a.m. to 11:50 a.m. – Diagnostic Quilting: Tools for your Design Journey – Steve Shmid-A
  Common Thread
• 12:00 p.m. to 12:20 p.m. – Preparing Your Quilt for the Longarm – Kristin Alldrin-Machine Quilting
• 12:30 p.m. to 12:50 p.m. – Infinity Scarves – Minky Quilt Shop-Laurie Dance
• 1:00 p.m. to 1:20 p.m. – Hand Ruching Needlework – Joyce Shoemaker-Heritage Quilt Museum
• 1:30 p.m. to 1:50 p.m. – Using Applique Overlays & Adding Detail with Paint – Tracy Meyer-PVQG
• 2:00 p.m. to 2:20 p.m. – Creating Realistic Images with Fabric – Jessica Drennand-Behind the Seams
  Quilt Guild

And for newcomers, or quilters who aren’t a part of the guild, they could learn about how to become a member. Throughout the year, the quilter’s guild holds monthly meetings, group sewing days, a summer picnic, a Christmas dinner and more.

“It’s a fun experience at the same time (when) you’re learning to quilt and learning to develop your skills,” McHugh said.

The way McHugh sees it, learning to quilt allows people to express their love for those in their lives.

“Different people have different skill sets, and I happen to have a big interest in sewing, and so when I make someone a quilt, I’m telling them ‘you are somebody special, and I want to make you a nice quilt,’” McHugh said.