It’ll be quilt appraisals, scissors sharpening, leather thimbles and more when the Yellowstone Quilt Festival (YQF) returns to the Riley Arena in Cody on July 29 and 30. 

Fesitval goers can try a long arm quilting machine, shop at vendor booths, enter to one of the three raffles, or buy a quilt. 

Many special exhibits will be on display, including Honor Quilts for Big Horn Basin, Art Quilts, Quilts in Memorial, Challenge Quilts, and over 150 Vintage, Old and New quilts. Gather up all your scissors and have them sharpened while you enjoy the Quilt Fest.

Marie Shirly Jones, of Red Lodge, Montana, created a special display for the festival, eight “Plains Indian Women.” 

Jone said the quilts represent her own interpretation of what she learned researching Native American women on the plains, but not necessarily an authentic representation. 

“While I did extensive research, I am not an expert on the lives of these women and how they lived in the early 1800s. I did attempt to insert elements from my research into the clothing for each of the women,” Jones said. 

The members of Paintbrush Piecers Quilt Guild, a sponsor of the festival, continue to make and donate quilts to honor Big Horn Basin veterans. These quilts are made with donated supplies, including the time quilting them. The quilts are given to the local organization, Families on the Front Line, for distribution. About 40 veteran quilts will be displayed.

A new display of quilts made by three fantastic and supportive quilters who have recently passed away will be shown at YQF this year. The memorial will feature the wonderful work done by Elaine Haberland of Wapiti; Cookie Brown of Greybull and Sherry Fink of Basin.

Free demonstrations of many different quilt related techniques will be held each day on a drop-by basis. These are short programs with supplies and instructions provided. Shopping at the vendor booths and the Quilt Show Boutique is always fun.

The festival will be at the Riley Arena and Events Center, 1400 Heart Mountain Street in Cody. The  event runs from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on July 29, and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on July 30. Quilters are invited to enter their quilts in the show. You are invited to enter quilts in the show, whether they be antique, old or new, large or small quilts — or even quilts that may have hung in past shows. 

Forms and information are online at: yellowstonequiltfest.info or call Michelle Quick (307) 250-0753 for more information. The quilts and paperwork can be dropped off at the Riley Arena on Thursday, July 28, beginning at 10 a.m., and must be picked up on July 30 at 5 p.m. 

The Yellowstone Quilt Fest is partially funded by the Park County Travel Council.