Piece together a quilting excursion

Take a colorful excursion into quilt country with special events, exhibits and attractions. For more than 40 years, Kalona’s quilt festival has brought the quilts of its local Amish crafters together with other examples from past and present for a large quilt show and sale. This year’s event is April 27-28, but don’t worry, if you can’t fit the festival into your schedule you can visit The Quilt and Textile Museum and local quilt shops throughout the year. In downtown Kalona, the idea of a “quilt walk” is given a whole new twist, with 42 quilt block designs embedded right into the sidewalks.

In the Amana Colonies, quilts and other textiles served a utilitarian purpose in early communal life, while the skills of 19th-century colonists inspired future generations of artists. Today visitors can purchase antique and contemporary quilts and quilt supplies at several shops in the seven villages. Tour the Amana Heritage Society museums for a look at exhibits, artifacts and living history settings interpreting the unique communal lifestyle that developed here.

With East Central Iowa as the starting point for your quilt quest, consider embarking on one of Iowa’s many barn quilt tours to see barns and farm outbuildings painted with oversize quilt block designs. Grundy County was one of the first to develop the barn quilt tour; now there are similar tours in Washington County, Butler County, Sac County, Humboldt County and others.

Mark your calendar for the Living History Farms Quilt Show in late September or an exhibit of Civil War Commemorative quilts at the Grout Museum of History and Science in Waterloo now through September 1. “Comfort and Joy” is the theme of a holiday quilt show and quilt block walk during Creston’s annual Christmas festival. Create a patchwork of memories – start planning today.

Cabin Fever Series at Living History Farms

Celebrate Iowa's rich culinary bounty with unique monthly tastings in the Living History Farms' Visitor Center. Gather your friends and explore local food and beverage specialties, and talk with winemakers, micro-brewers, artisan bakers, and more in a casual open house atmosphere.

Farms Uncorked - Saturday, January 14, 3 - 6 p.m.
Come sample the best of native Iowa wines, cheeses, and Gelato from Chocolaterie Stam. Enjoy appetizers crafted from La Quercia pork products by local chefs, including Mojo's on 86th. Local experts will present mini-sessions with wine-related topics. Shop the Marketplace Gift Store for your favorite wine. Other generous partners include: Cabot Creamery, Covered Bridges Winery, Jasper Winery, La Mie, Penoach Vineyard, Prairie Moon, Two Saints Winery, Vines and Wines, and Snus Hill Wineries.

NEW! Spirits and Sweets - Saturday, February 11, 3 - 6 p.m.
Dare to pair one of a kind mini-tini's mixed by Iowa artisan distillers with bite sized sweets created by local bakeries. Visit with distillers about the process of making spirits with Iowa corn. The event also features an olive bar by Gateway Market. Many thanks to our partners: Cedar Ridge Distillery, Crème Cupcakes, El Patio, Mississippi River Distilling Company, Sweet Binney's, and Templeton Rye.

Beer n' Bread - Saturday, March 10, 3 - 6 p.m.
Sample Iowa micro-brewed beers along with fresh artisan breads and other goodies including fine Cabot cheese. Come learn how to make craft brew in your home from the experts at Beer Crazy. Over 20 different beers will be on tap, along with breads from La Mie, South Union bakery and The Beer Bread Company. Back Pocket Brewing will attend for the first time, with several favorites returning such as Court Avenue, Peace Tree, Madhouse, Millstream and Raccoon River Breweries.

Tickets are $18 per event for Living History Farms (LHF) members, $20 for non-members. New this year - Enjoy all three with a series pass for only $48/LHF members; $52 guest. All tickets are sold in advance by visiting http://www.livinghistoryfarms.org/. If space is available, tickets may be purchased at the door. For more information call 515.278.5386 ext. 171 or email events@lhf.org You must be 21 or older to attend, and non-alcoholic beverages are available.

Proceeds from these fundraising events benefit education programs at Living History Farms, a non-profit, historical, educational museum which serves over 30,000 Iowa school children annually.

Jennie Deerr, Living History Farms