A look back at Candy Grisham’s Featured Quilter exhibit at Fanfare of Quilts 2025. Who will we be celebrating in 2027?
One of the special traditions of Fanfare of Quilts is recognizing a member of Bits ‘n’ Pieces as our Featured Quilter. And now it’s time to decide who will receive that honor at Fanfare of Quilts 2027!
What Does It Mean to Be the Featured Quilter?
Our Featured Quilter gets a special place in the spotlight during Fanfare of Quilts, with an exhibit that gives show visitors an opportunity to see a collection of their work and learn more about their quilting journey.
But being a Featured Quilter isn’t necessarily about having won the most ribbons, made the most quilts, or quilted the longest.
It’s about recognizing someone whose quilting story deserves to be shared.
Maybe it’s someone whose work always catches your eye. Maybe they have been an active part of Bits ‘n’ Pieces for many years. Perhaps they are always willing to teach, encourage, answer a question, or share what they know. They might have developed an incredible skill, explored a wide variety of quilting styles, served our guild in countless ways, or simply inspired you to become a better or more adventurous quilter.
Who in Bits ‘n’ Pieces comes to mind when you think, “I would love to see more of their quilts”?
That may be exactly the person you should nominate!
We Need Your Nomination!
Any guild member may nominate an eligible Bits ‘n’ Pieces member to be our 2027 Featured Quilter.
There is one important qualification to keep in mind: A member who has previously been honored as a Featured Quilter is not eligible to be nominated again.
To help you check before submitting your nomination, here are our Featured Quilters from recent past shows:
2025 – Candy Grisham
2023/2020 – Roxann Jasper
2018 – Suzanne Marshall (not a guild member)
2016 – Barb Warner
2014 – Nancy Peters
2010 – Lorrie Oltman
2008 – Doris Juranis
2006 – Betty Franke
2004 – Marilyn Fallert
2002 – Willma Sestric
A Special Note About 2012
In 2012, rather than featuring one individual quilter, we celebrated something a little different. At the time, Bits ‘n’ Pieces had several mother/daughter pairs who were both members of the guild, and we thought that was pretty special! The show recognized these pairs and the wonderful tradition of sharing quilting from one generation to the next.
Because this was a special group exhibit rather than an individual Featured Quilter honor, anyone who participated in the 2012 Mother/Daughter exhibit is still eligible to be nominated as our 2027 Featured Quilter.
How Do I Nominate Someone?
Download this Featured Quilter Nomination Form. It will give you some ideas about the information you might include. You are welcome to complete the form, but you don’t have to! You may also simply email Darla at ddgibby64@yahoo.com and include:
- The name of the person you are nominating
- A little information about their quilting accomplishments, guild involvement, experience, or interests
- Most importantly, why you think this person would make a wonderful Featured Quilter
You don’t need to know everything about your nominee or prepare a complete biography. Give us what you know and tell us why you believe this person deserves to be recognized.
What Happens Next?
- Nominations are due September 22, 2026
- After nominations close, the Show Committee will contact the nominees to make sure they are interested and available to participate.
- Nominees will be introduced to the membership at the October guild meeting, and then members will vote to select our Fanfare of Quilts 2027 Featured Quilter.
The winner will be announced that evening!
Who Would You Like to See in the Spotlight?
Bits ‘n’ Pieces is filled with talented, creative and generous quilters, and our Featured Quilter exhibit is an opportunity to celebrate one of our own.
Take a few minutes to think about the quilters you know within our guild.
- Who hasn’t had their turn in the spotlight yet?
- Who inspires you?
- Whose work would you like to see gathered together in one exhibit?
- Whose quilting story would you like our Fanfare visitors to discover?
Nominate them!
(Here’s the Form for the Featured Quilter Nomination to download!)
We can’t wait to see who you choose to put in the spotlight at Fanfare of Quilts 2027, March 13–14, 2027.
Darla Gibson, Fanfare of Quilts 2027 Chair
