Two-day show May 29 and 30 at Gimli Recreation Centre
Quilters, fabric artists and sewing enthusiasts from across Manitoba will gather in Gimli later this month as Lakeside Quilters celebrates the 10th edition of its popular quilt show.
The two-day Lakeside Quilters Quilt Show will take place May 29 and 30 at the Gimli Recreation Centre, featuring quilts and fabric art, vendors, special exhibits, raffles and community displays.
This year’s show carries special significance for the organization as members look back on more than a decade of quilting, creativity and community involvement in the Interlake region.
To mark the milestone, organizers are preparing a special history display featuring memorabilia and highlights from the first nine shows. Among the featured pieces will be the prize-winning quilt from the group’s inaugural 2012 show.
“We wanted to celebrate how far the show has come and recognize the many quilters, volunteers and visitors who have supported us over the years,” one of the group’s organizers Mary Ann Stewart said.
One of the major features for 2026 is a special mini quilt challenge themed around the number “ten.” Quilters have been invited to create miniature quilts measuring either 12-by-12 inches or 12-by-16 inches inspired by the theme.
Participants also have the option to donate their mini quilts following the show. Those pieces will be distributed as placemats through local Meals on Wheels programs.
Lakeside Quilters says promoting quilting and encouraging creativity in the community has been one of the group’s goals since it was formed. New to this year’s event is a youth quilter category aimed at encouraging younger sewists under the age of 19 to showcase their work.
The category welcomes a variety of quilted creations including bed quilts, garments, bags and other quilted projects.
Organizers say the response to previous shows has continued to grow. The 2023 event featured more than 100 quilts and attracted an estimated 550 visitors from across Manitoba and beyond.
Entries for this year’s show remain open until May 22, and organizers expect another strong turnout of quilts and fibre art displays. Entry forms are available online and in printable format through the group’s website.
Community giving continues to play a major role in the organization’s work. Donation quilts entered into the show will be distributed this year through the Gimli Seniors Resource Centre.
Since the show began, Lakeside Quilters has donated approximately $14,000 to various Interlake organizations and community programs through proceeds raised from the event.
Visitors attending the show will also have the opportunity to vote for their favourite entries in each category. The top three People’s Choice winners will receive prizes and handmade quilted rosettes.
Along with the quilt displays, the event will feature vendors from across Manitoba selling fabric, sewing notions and quilting supplies. Guests can also visit the Fat 1/4 Café, catered by Mad Dash, enjoy the rainbow raffle and stop by the popular selfie station.
The Lakeside Quilters Quilt Show runs Friday, May 29 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday, May 30 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Gimli Recreation Centre. Admission is $10 per day and the venue is handicap accessible. More information can be found at lakesidequilters.ca.
