Celebration! – Virginia Consortium of Quilters

Every two years, the years ending with even numbers (2026, 2028, 2030), the guild has a grand weekend of quilting, eating, and lots of fun!

Celebration! 2026 planning is underway. The theme is “Americana” celebrating the 250^th birthday of America and the 50^th anniversary of the modern-day quilt revival.

Save the date: April 16 – 19, 2026

Celebration! is the premiere event of the Virginia Consortium of Quilters held every two years at the Skelton 4-H Education Center at Smith Mountain Lake. This 4-day retreat and workshop brings together 150 quilters, eight teachers, sixteen classes, 2 lectures, a quilt challenge and show, plus contests, prizes, a silent auction and much more. Registration includes overnight accommodations, classes,

Important Dates: July 4, 2025 – Celebration! Brochure is published

August 1, 2025 – Early Member registration opens

September 1, 2025 – Non-Member registration opens

February 1, 2026 – All fees must be paid

What’s new in Celebration! 2026?

At least one two-day class * Interesting mini-lectures before the main evening lecture on Friday and Saturday nights * Virginia Quilt Museum “Stitching History 2026” mini-quilt show*
A new microphone and amplification system in the lecture hall ** New teachers **
Pre-Celebration! lunch cruise of beautiful Smith Mountain Lake on the Virginia Dare. This event is first come, first registered and must be paid in full at the time of registration. **

CELEBRATION! 2026 Quilt Challenge: STARS AND STRIPES FOREVER

Okay, Folks, Who doesn’t love a good contest to compete for winning fame, ribbons, and recognition? The Celebration 2026 Team challenges you to interpret this year’s theme, “Americana.”

In 1976, the bicentennial helped to revive the art of quilting. Hopefully we will see interest grow celebrating the 250th year anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Think beyond Red, White, and Blue. Think Purple Mountains Striped Majesty or Stars in My Eyes Over the Mississippi! Use your quilter’s creative juices to create what Celebration 2026’s theme comes to mind for you!

This will be a “Viewer’s Choice” competition. There will be award ribbons for the Best in Show -First, Second and Third place AND Best Interpretation of Theme – First, Second and Third place quilts as determined by the Celebration! 2026 attendees. Each person entering a challenge quilt will be requested to complete a pre-entry form with basic information. Limit 1 Challenge Quilt per CELEBRATION! 2026 attendee. Entry Forms will be available on August 1, 2025.

Questions? Contact us at QuiltChallenge@vcq.org

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Celebration 2026 Quilt Challenge Guidelines

How to Hang a Quilt Sleeve

CELEBRATION! BLOCK LOTTO

The kit that will provide 1 FQ & minimal instructions to make 2 Dresden Plates with a list of website links that have free tutorials on making Dresden Plates. There will be a variety of fabrics with stars or stripes (keeping with the theme) in various colors in order to have a great mixture of Dresden Plates. Kits will be sold for $5.00 at the in-person meetings through the last meeting before Celebration!. Completed blocks will be collected at Celebration! Each block gives the maker an entry into the drawing for a block bundle to create a quilt.