Annual Quilt Shows.
WSQ Spokane Chapter Quilt Show — October
The largest quilting event in the Inland Northwest. Held annually each October at the Spokane County Fair & Expo Center, the WSQ show features 500+ quilts on display, vendor booths from regional and national suppliers, live demonstrations, and both judged and viewer's choice award categories. This is the event that draws quilters from across Eastern Washington, North Idaho, and parts of Montana. If you attend one quilting event per year, this is the one.
North Idaho Quilters Show — May (biennial)
Held every two years at the North Idaho State Fair in Hayden. The next show is May 1-2, 2026. Features quilts by guild members and community quilters, vendor booths, and a welcoming atmosphere that feels more intimate than the larger WSQ show. A great first quilt show experience for newcomers.
Palouse Patchers Show — April
Held annually at the Latah County Fairgrounds in Moscow, Idaho. Running since 1981, this show reflects the rich agricultural quilting heritage of the Palouse region. Approximately 175 guild members contribute to a diverse display of traditional and contemporary work.
Shop Hops.
WSQ Patchwork & Pit Stops — May 6-9, 2026
The regional shop hop organized by the WSQ Spokane Chapter. Twenty-eight participating shops across the Spokane, North Idaho, and Eastern Washington corridor. Quilters travel a designated route collecting passport stamps at each stop. Each shop offers a free pattern, exclusive fabric, and typically a shop-specific prize drawing. Completing the passport enters you in a grand prize drawing. This is a fantastic way to discover shops you've never visited and stock up on fabrics you can't find anywhere else.
All-Pacific Northwest Shop Hop — April 1 – May 31, 2026
The largest shop hop in the region, covering 126+ stores across Washington, Oregon, and — new for 2026 — Idaho. The extended two-month window makes it possible to visit shops at your own pace rather than cramming into a long weekend. Each participating shop offers an exclusive pattern page that, when collected, creates a complete quilt design. The PNW Shop Hop is an excellent excuse for a road trip through some of the most beautiful quilting country in America.
Monthly & Recurring Events.
| Event | When | Where | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scripture & Stitches | 1st Friday, monthly | Baskets of Blessings, Rathdrum | Devotional + community quilting. All welcome. |
| Beginner Quilting Class | Monthly series | Baskets of Blessings, Rathdrum | All materials included. Complete a throw quilt. |
| WSQ Guild Meeting | Monthly | Spokane | Programs, speakers, show-and-tell. $25/yr. |
| North Idaho Quilters | 4th Tue, odd months | Calam Shrine, Hayden | Guild meeting, programs, social time. |
| Spokane Valley QG | Even months | Valley Assembly of God | Social guild, show-and-tell. |
What to Expect at Your First Quilt Show.
If you've never been to a quilt show, here's what happens: you walk into a large venue — usually a convention center or fairgrounds building — and every wall, every aisle divider, and every display frame is covered in quilts. Hundreds of them. The color, the craftsmanship, and the sheer creativity are overwhelming in the best way.
Shows typically include judged categories (where quilts compete for ribbons), viewer's choice voting (where you pick your favorites), vendor rows (where you can buy fabric, tools, patterns, and kits from regional and national sellers), and live demonstrations (where experienced quilters show techniques you can learn). Most shows charge $5-15 admission. Plan at least 2-3 hours. Bring comfortable shoes and a tote bag for purchases.
The social aspect is half the experience. Quilt shows are where quilters find their people — where conversations start over a shared admiration for someone's color work or piecing precision. If you're new to quilting, a show is the fastest way to feel like you belong to something bigger.
Frequently Asked Questions.
When is the Spokane quilt show?
Every October at the Spokane County Fair & Expo Center. 500+ quilts, vendors, and demos. The largest quilting event in the Inland Northwest.
What is a quilt shop hop?
A multi-day event visiting participating shops along a route, collecting stamps, patterns, and exclusive fabrics. WSQ Patchwork & Pit Stops covers 28 shops in May. The All-PNW Hop runs April-May with 126+ stores.
When is the North Idaho quilt show?
North Idaho Quilters holds a biennial show at the North Idaho State Fair in Hayden. Next show: May 1-2, 2026.
Are there quilting retreats nearby?
Venues near Sandpoint, Priest Lake, and the Palouse host retreats. Check with The Quilting Bee, WSQ Spokane, and North Idaho Quilters for current schedules.
What events does Baskets of Blessings host?
Scripture & Stitches (1st Friday monthly), beginner quilting classes (monthly series), and quarterly pattern workshops. All in Rathdrum, all skill levels welcome.
Last Updated: May 2026