Get Ready for the Upper Country Quilt Show
Quilting is a true passion for over 50 quilters from Council to Midvale, and one as far away as Emmett. These ladies love to sew and create beautiful quilts. Through the years they have developed friendships, shared fabric and ideas, helped beginning quilters and given back to the communities in countless ways. They participate in Shop Hops, spring and fall quilting retreats, and gather together for a monthly quilting day at the Cambridge Baptist Church. They also give their time to the V.L. Batman Project, plus host and participate in the Upper Country Quilt Show (UCQS).
Each spring, a group of local quilters participate in the Treasure Shop Hop, a tradition that started 23 years ago. This event consists of a day or two of traveling to quilt shops from Weiser to Garden Valley, from Mountain Home to Baker City and a few places in between. In two days’ time, they will shop hop (visiting up to five quilt shops in a day), seeking the newest patterns and fabrics, or simply looking for that special fabric for their current project.
The generosity of the quilters is seen through their participation in the V.L. Batman Project. This remarkable 501(c)(3) non-profit was started by Charlie Hendrix, as a way to honor her sister Vanieta Batman, who passed away in 2012. In the past six years this project has produced over one thousand quilts of all sizes for Idaho’s Children’s Advocacy Centers, which distribute them to abused and neglected children throughout the state. Quilts are also provided to survivors of domestic abuse.
Another way that the quilters give back is through their annual quilt show. The UCQS is a 501(c)(3) non-profit. Proceeds from the show go back into local communities. Donations go to support the Council High School Textile Program, which teaches students how to quilt. They give to the Cambridge School District to thank them for the use of the gym, and they contribute to the Cambridge and Midvale Honor’s programs. Students from these programs helped set up and take down the quilt frames last year. “They were amazing help and so quick!” said Cindy Jones.
This year’s theme for the UCQS is, “Oh, Scrap!” The show starts on Friday, June 6th, at the Cambridge High School Gym as an addition to Hells Canyon Days, and runs through Saturday, June 14, 2025. Hours are 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily. Admission is $5, per person. Part of the fun of the quilt show is voting for your favorite quilt in four separate categories: Viewer’s Choice, Student Choice, Quilt Block Challenge, and the Theme Choice. Ballots are counted each day, with the winners being determined on the last day.
I visited with Cindy Jones to learn more about this year’s quilt show. Over 70 sponsors are donating to the show this year. The cost to sponsor a quilt is $25, with $20 going to the sponsor’s quilt choice and $5 going to the UCQS. The night before the quilt show, an award night is held where sponsors are invited to choose their favorite quilt. The sponsor awards, handmade by local quilters, are always delightful, and are made to fit the theme of the show. The quilters look forward to these awards. Once chosen, the sponsor awards are pinned to the quilts allowing the public to see them on opening day. At the end of the show on June 14th, the winners are awarded their money based on sponsor and public votes.
Some may wonder how many quilts will be displayed this year. Cindy Jones shared, “Last year there were close to 90 quilts entered, and this year they expect around 80.” All of the quilts in this show are being viewed for the very first time. A quilt can only be entered into the quilt show one time. Ardis Boll explained this by stating, “To encourage new entries and maintain a fresh, exciting quilt show, quilts that have previously been shown at the UCQS may not be re-entered.”
If you are in town for Hells Canyon Days or after, make sure to visit the quilt show. The variety and style of each unique quilt may inspire you to learn a new hobby!
