Stitched Stories: Quiltopia 2025

Quiltopia weaves together quilts, creativity, and community support.

Quiltopia returns this fall with a celebration of handmade quilts, fiber arts, and community spirit — all in support of Helping Hands Resources. The event shines a spotlight on the artistry of quilting, with traditional, modern, and contemporary works on display alongside artisan vendors, vintage linens, prize drawings, and the ever-popular Re-Stash Boutique.

This year’s theme, Peaks and Valleys: Quilting in the Willamette Valley, invites quilters to reflect not only on the landscape that surrounds us, but also on the metaphorical highs and lows of life.

Leading up to the main event is The Grand Showcase: Smaller by Design, a display of quilts no larger than 20 by 30 inches on view in the Grand Hotel lobby in October. Unlike a formal quilt challenge, this showcase encourages makers to interpret the theme freely, resulting in an exhibition of creative expression as varied as the artists themselves.

For event chair Cindy Condon, stepping into the world of quilting has been eye-opening. “I found myself chair of a quilt show and I’m learning the language of textiles and quilting,” she said. What surprised her most, however, is that many visitors don’t realize Quiltopia is a fundraiser. “People tell me, ‘I had no idea it supported Helping Hands.’ That’s just it—there’s more of a story to tell.”

Proceeds from Quiltopia directly benefit Helping Hands Resources, an all-volunteer nonprofit serving more than 60,000 visitors annually with clothing, household items, and other essentials free of charge.

Quiltopia’s annual quilt raffle features a queen-sized Cabin Peaks pattern (above), pieced and bound by Gail Knighten, with quilting by Carolyn Stegall. See it at Will-N-Bee’z Quilt and Coffee Shoppe during September. Buy raffle tickets there or from Helping Hands at the Salem Art Fair, Sept 12-14. The winner will be announced on Nov 8, 2025.

Quiltopia

10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Nov 7 & 8, 2025
Willamette Heritage Center
$10 one day; $15 two days | quiltopiaoregon.com

This story originally ran in Press Play Salem issue 25 (Fall 2025)

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Author: Carlee Wright

Carlee Wright is a community instigator with a grand love for Salem and notably fashionable shoes (Hello, John Fluevog!) who turns waste into wearable art in her "spare" time.