Iowa QuiltScape for March 23, 2020


IQM Response to COVID-19

Currently Open by Appointment Only

After much thought and discussion, the Iowa Quilt Museum has decided to temporarily suspend our regular hours of operation. We don’t often see more than 10 visitors at once this time of year. However, we recognize the role each of us plays in helping to ‘flatten the curve’ in response to the global outbreak of COVID-19 and we are committed to doing our part in the social distancing effort.

Since our fabulous exhibit of Doreen Speckmann’s quilts is still hanging, and will be for two more weeks, we want to offer a means through which you can still visit the museum. Therefore, we’re instituting a system through which you can schedule an appointment to visit the museum.

What to expect from an ‘Appointment Visit’:

Appointments will be scheduled through an online system called SignUp Genius which can be found by clicking the button at the bottom of this paragraph.

In order to have ample time to take in the exhibit, we recommend scheduling a 45-minute visit. The time slots are listed in 15-minute increments, so you would need to sign up for three consecutive slots to equal 45 minutes. (For example: If you would to visit at 11:00am and intend to stay for 45 minutes, you would sign up for the 11:00, 11:15 and 11:30 time slots.) If you think you want to have more than 45 minutes, go ahead and sign up for four or five consecutive slots. Appointments must be scheduled by 6:00pm the day before they are to occur. (Schedule by 6:00 Monday for a Tuesday appointment)

We will only allow one ‘party’ to register for an appointment at a time. We would like to have no more than five people in any ‘party.’ This is not intended as a ‘gather your girlfriends and take a road trip’ outing, but rather a husband and wife, parents and kids, mother and daughter, etc. kind of visit.

Our museum director, Megan Barrett, will meet you at the Iowa Quilt Museum at the time of your appointment. After getting you checked in, Megan will work from her desk in the back of the museum while you peruse the exhibit. She’s available if you need her, but in the spirit of social distancing, will give you plenty of space.

Regular admission charges will apply during these appointment visits. Admission for adults is $6 and children (ages 3-12) are $4. Admission for members of the Iowa Quilt Museum is free.

The gift shop will be available for you to shop before or after your visit through the gallery. The gift shop area will be cleaned and disinfected between each appointment.

If you have any questions or difficulties using the SignUp Genius website, please email us at director@IowaQuiltMuseum.org. You may also call Megan at 515-249-1204.


Pictures from our Doreen Speckmann Events

In light of how fast the world is moving and changing these days, March 7th seems like a long time ago! Here are some pictures from our special day of celebrating Doreen Speckmann. Enjoy!

Thank you for reading Iowa QuiltScape.
Get out and enjoy some quilts!

Iowa QuiltScape is a feature of the Iowa Quilt Museum’s periodical e-newsletter, and will highlight quilting events happening all around the state. The goal of Iowa QuiltScape is to provide a central place for Iowa quilting organizations to share upcoming events and help quilters and quilter lovers across Iowa reach a broader audience.
If you have an event you would like to share via Iowa QuiltScape, send your information to
Museum Director Megan Barrett: director@iowaquiltmuseum.org.
If you’re reading this but it didn’t come to your inbox, use the Email Signup form on the top of this page to make sure you’re on the list and don’t miss out on any Iowa QuiltScape news!

6 Responses

  1. Diane Ferguson
    | Reply

    any chance the current quilt display date will be extended? Thanks diane

    • Megan Barrett
      | Reply

      That’s something we have discussed, Diane, but the situation is still too fluid and we haven’t made any final decisions yet.

  2. Joyce M Anderson
    | Reply

    We are planning a trip to Winterset to visit a friend who recently moved close. Our plan is to come the weekend of “Airing of the Quilts”. In light of the immediate health crisis we are being proactive…what is the possibility the event will be still take place? Certainly had to ask as we will coming quite a distance. Thank you.

    • Megan Barrett
      | Reply

      At this point we’re still proceeding with plans for the Airing of the Quilts, Joyce. Time will tell, though, whether we need to make changes to that event and if we do, we’ll communicate that as early as possible. Thanks for being a friend and fan!

  3. Kathy LaForge
    | Reply

    Really enjoyed the pictures! We visited Winterset about 3 years ago on a cross country trip, found it by accident, and have loved seeing pictures of the museum since.
    A quilter in northern California!

    • Megan Barrett
      | Reply

      So glad you accidentally found us, Kathy! Hopefully you’ll be able to make it to Iowa again sometime and thanks for keeping up with us online 🙂

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