PMQG Roadtrip to the Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show
by Rebecca S.
BEEP BEEP BEEP - I toss my quilt aside and roll over wondering why my alarm is going off on a Saturday. Then like a pin-prick to my brain I remember - the Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show is today!!! I scurry around the house getting ready and grab the essentials- water, sunscreen, hat, knitting bag… no, embroidery kit! Then I head out to the … um… checks address… the Contract Furnishings Warehouse? Sounds like the start of a true-crime podcast, but I trust my fellow PMQG-ers. Well, trust them with my life, maybe not my good scissors.
Quilty couples and trios linger by their cars chatting as we wait for the bus. Then a text that could strike fear into the hearts of many middle aged women - the toilets on the bus are not working!!!! Soon enough the bus arrives and our fearless leader PMQG President Deb guides us onto the bus like so many flying geese in a row. The bus driver calms any nervous bladders by letting us know the first stop is the Wilsonville Rest Stop.
The PMQG bus proves that “getting there is half the fun.” Folks are knitting, stitching, reading, chatting, giggling and having fun. Deb glides down the aisle smooth as a walking foot and a fresh needle. She hands out snacks, water, and best of all - a glass of wine from our very own Business Membership Board Member and Portland Wine Company owner Angie! Knowing that my transportation was assured for the day, I enjoy a glass and promptly fall asleep! I wake up to admire the views of forested hills. Layers on layers of Doug firs echoing the pattern of a Thousand Pyramids quilt. A little more stitching, snacking, chatting, and one last rest stop. A cheer erupts from the bus as the Ponderosa pines thin and the Ray’s Food Mart comes into view. Ready or not, Sisters, PMQG is here!!
A flurry of activity as we exit the bus, note our location, take pictures of each other taking pictures of the cross streets. Like kids slipping past our field trip chaperones we disperse into the city. There are quilts everywhere! A bold star quilt on a fence, abstract curves on the side of a building … we scurry along towards the PMQG display and I catch a glimpse of familiar fabrics. My Scrabble quilt!! It’s out there with all the other quilts on proud display. Checkers, Parcheesi, Hi Jinks… does that Ouji Board have a separate planchet??? The Twister spinner really spins! Did the Operation quilt just buzz when they tried to remove a piece? Throughout the day we hear excited voices of folks engaging with our quilts. Kids and adults alike are charmed by our display of vintage board game quilts!
Volunteers coordinated by Marci and Sara have stocked our booth with sunscreen, neck-coolers, seltzer and stickers. “Hmmm… why was that quilt banned?” Throughout the day volunteers greeted visitors, shared information about our guild and even engaged in quilt rescue! When a gust of high-desert wind swept half the quilts off the wall, Angel and Annemarie were there to make sure they were quickly pinned back up!
The town is a fantasy land for fabric lovers. We oooh and ahh over fine stitching and clever piecing, we compare favorites and collect inspiration. There are no strangers, only quilters you haven’t met yet! And many of the quilters came dressed to impress! A patchwork sundress here, a handmade bag there, a quilted cage crinoline skirt that has to be seen to be believed. A stylish denim quilted coat even made its way home on the PMQG bus.
The clock ticks on in the afternoon like a bobbin after hours of meander quilting. How much more can we see and do before it all comes to an end? One last trip through a shop, a detour to see that amazing quilt again, and of course a potty break before getting back on the bus. Our fearless leader counts us off to make sure no quilter was left behind and we’re heading home. The vibrant energy of the morning transitions to the calm satisfaction of a day sharing our creative passion with old friends and new. As the bus drops us off at our cars, the 2026 PMQG Roadtrip to Sisters comes to an end and we go home with inspiration, some souvenir fabric, a bit of sun, and memories to treasure!
Thanks to all who helped organize this trip.