Walla Walla Valley Quilt Festival
History
HISTORY OF THE WALLA WALLA VALLEY QUILT FESTIVAL
1999
The Event was held at the Kirkman House Museum. We brought the Keepsake Challenge Quilt Wall Hangings in to be enjoyed by all. It was a very humble beginning for the Festival.
2000
The Walla Walla Valley Quilts & Antiques Festival took place in three different locations. The Festival Challenge was located at the Carnegie Building. We hosted many antique quilts at the First Congregational Church on Palouse Street. Classes were held at the old Odd Fellows Building, on Spokane Street.
This was the only year that antiques were an integral part of the show.
Featured Quilters were Pat Magaret & Donna Slusser who taught classes on Friday Saturday and Sunday, October 27, 28, and 29, 2000. They also judged the Quilt Challenge “Feathers and Foliage”
Winners of the Challenge were: 1st Place: Sandra Smart; 2nd Place: Carolyn VanDeGraaf;
3rd Place: Nancy Kessler
Antiques shops cooperated in this first effort and a chair caning class was held at Shady Lawn Antiques. This was the only year that the antique shops were an integral part of the festival. It was also the only year that we hosted a sit-down dinner.
2001
Location: The Elks Club, 351. E. Rose Street
Festival Challenge and Theme: Quilting the Blues
Classes offered featuring M’Liss Rae Hawley
Challenge Winners: 1st Place: Carolyn VandeGraaf; 2nd Place: Jan Keogh; 3rd Place: Nancy Kessler
2002
Location: The Elks Club, 351 E. Rose Street
Festival Challenge and Theme: Oh My Stars!
Classes offered featuring Sandy Bonsib
Challenge Winners: 1st Place: Nancy Bainard; 2nd Place: John & Cindy Thurlough; 3rd Place: Nancy Kessler
2003
Location: St Patrick’s Gymnasium, 425 W. Alder
Festival Challenge and Theme: Quilted Memories
Classes offered featuring Retta Warhime
Featured Quilter: Karen Schoepflin Hagen
Challenge Winners: 1st Place: Pat Jones; 2nd Place: Teddy Beer; 3rd Place: Marliyn McCann
2004
Location: St Patrick’s Gymnasium, 425 W. Alder
Festival Challenge and Theme: Baskets & Blooms
Classes offered featuring Terry Martin
Featured Quilts: Alma’s Legacy Antique Trunk Show
Featured Quilter: Jess Berry
Challenge Winners: 1st Place: Louise Winchel; 2nd Place: Jamie Tolar; 3rd Place: Nancy Kessler
2005
Location: St Patrick’s Gymnasium, 425 W. Alder
Festival Challenge and Theme: Little Bit of Country
Featured Quilter: Sandra Smart
Challenge Winners: 1st Place: Carloyn VanDeGraaf; 2nd Place: Nancy Kessler; 3rd Place: Pat Jones
2006
Location: St Patrick’s Gymnasium, 425 W. Alder
Festival Challenge and Theme: Wine Country Splendor
Featured Quilters: Tea & Talk Ladies from Palouse Patchers Quilt Guild
Challenge Winners: 1st Place: Sandra Smart; 2nd Place: Cathy Wieise; 3rd Place: Marilyn Mc Cann
2007
Location: St Patrick’s Gymnasium, 425 W. Alder
Festival Challenge and Theme: Say It With Music
Featured Quilter Carolyn VandeGraaf, Yakima, WA
Featured Quilts: Keepsake Quilting Trunk Show
Challenge Winners: 1st Place: Judy Benzel; 2nd Place: Nancy Kessler; 3rd Place: Charlene Webb
2008
Location: Walla Walla County Fairgrounds, Community Building
Festival Challenge and Theme: Lunar Madness
Featured Quilter: Nancy Chong
Challenge Winners: 1st Place: Marilyn McCann; 2nd Place: Judy Benzel; 3rd Place: Angela Meister
2009
Location: Walla Walla County Fairgrounds, Community Building
Festival Challenge and Theme: Ten Years, Ten Colors
Featured Quilter: Pamela Mostek
Challenge Winners: 1st Place: Sandra Smart; 2nd Place: Deanna Jamesen; 3rd Place: Judy Benzel
2010
Location: Walla Walla County Fairgrounds, Community Building
Festival Challenge and Theme: Branching Out
Featured Quilters: Janet Nesbitt & Pam Soliday, Buggy Barn Quilts
Local Featured Quilter: JoAnne Stillman
Challenge Winners:1st Place: Bobbie Butts; 2nd Place: Bobbie Butts; 3rd Place: Shelly Coykendal
2011
Location: Walla Walla County Fairgrounds, Community Building
Festival Challenge and Theme: FIESTA! FIESTA!
Featured Quilter: Meg Hawkey, Crabapple Hill Studio
Local Featured Quilter: Meredith Mitchell
Challenge winners: 1st Place: Marilyn McCann; 2nd Place: Tammy Monroe; 3rd Place: Terri Hellberg
Best of Show: Jess Berry, “Poppies on Parade”
People’s Choice Winner Jess Berry, “Poppies on Parade”
Large Quilts: 1st Place: Shelly Coykendal – “Sunflowers”‘; 2nd Place: Betty Baerg – “Jinny’s Garden”; 3rd Place: Janet Brown – “Saucy Trails”
Small Quilts 1st Place: Joyce Schwenke – “Christmas Panel Embellished”, 2nd Place: Cathy Wiese – “CBF Strikes Again”; 3rd Place: Sallie McQuaid – “Tranquil Moments”
People’s Choice Block Winner: Karen Anderson
2012
Location: Walla Walla County Fairgrounds, Community Building
Festival Challenge and Theme: “LUCKY THIRTEEN”
Featured Quilter: Barbara Shapel, Washougal, WA
Local Featured Quilter: Becky Martin
Challenge winners: 1st Place: Joey Lea McVane; 2nd Place: Terri Hellberg; 3rd Place: Becky Martin – also People’s Choice Winner
Best of Show: Jess Berry, “Winter Therapy”
People’s Choice Winner: Jess Berry, “Winter Therapy”
Large Quilts: 1st Place – Leslie Hammer – “Staying Centered”; 2nd Place: – Johanne Moore – “Amazon Star”; 3rd Place: – Rebecca Fritts – “Bella Roma”
Small Quilts: 1st Place – Shelley Coykendall – “Poinsettias”; 2nd Place – Teddy Beer – “Fiesta Fiesta”; 3rd Place – Shelley Coykendall – “Snowy Owl”
People’s Choice Block Winner: Marilyn McCann
2013
Location: Walla Walla County Fairgrounds, Community Building; Quilt Delivery – Floral Building, WW Co. Fairgrounds
Festival Challenge and Theme: “CRAYON ADVENTURE”
Featured Quilter: Maggie Ball, Bainbridge Island, WA
Local Featured Quilter: Becci Lund, Walla Walla, WA
Challenge winners: 1st Place – Salli McQuaid; 2nd Place – Nancy Kessler; 3rd Place – Eddie Walker
Best of Show: Jess Berry, “Purple Scrolls”
People’s Choice Winner: Jess Berry “Purple Scrolls”
Large Quilts : 1st Place – Charlotte Collier “Christmas Celebration”; 2nd; 3rd
Small Quilts: 1st Place – Teddy Beer, “Feathered Tree”; 2nd Place – Cathy Wiese “Christmas in August;3rd Place – Marlene Oddie
People’s Choice Block Winner: Judy Benzel
Festival Committee Challenge: “Paint Chip” Quilts
2014
Location: Walla Walla County Fairgrounds, Community Building; Quilt Delivery – Floral Building, WW Co. Fairgrounds
FESTIVAL CHALLENGE & THEME: “A WRINKLE IN TIME”
FEATURED QUILTER: Laurie Shifrin, Seattle, WA
LOCAL FEATURED QUILTER: eddie Walker, Walla Walla, WA
CHALLENGE WINNERS: 1st Place – Dr. Susan Crawford; 2nd Place – Salli McQuaid; 3rd Place – Jerry Mosgrove
BEST OF SHOW: Phyllis Burnham, “My Black, White & Red Nightmare”
1st Place: Jess Berry, “Butterfly Garden”. Also West of the Blues Favorite
2nd Place: Dr. Susan Crawford, “Glacier Star”
3rd Place: Cathy Wiese, “Southwest Dreams”
Walla Walla Sew ‘N Vac & Spas Favorite: Jessica Murff – “Amazon Star”
Stash Favorite: Mary C. Price, “He Loves Me Not…He Loves Me”
SMALL QUILTS: 1st Place: Lianne Schellenberg “Struttin; His Stuff”; 2nd Place: Lianne Schellenberg “I’m Too Sexy For My Hat”; 3rd Place: Peggy Reilly, “Tula’s 6-sided Table Topper”
PEOPLES CHOICE BLOCK WINNER: Cindy Hibbert
FESTIVAL COMMITTEE CHALLENGE: WRENS & FRIENDS Charm Pack.
2015
Location: Walla Walla County Fairgrounds, Community Building; Quilt Delivery – Floral Building, WW Co. Fairgrounds
FESTIVAL CHALLENGE & THEME: “Outside My Window”
FEATURED QUILTER: Katie Pedersen
LOCAL FEATURED QUILTER: Lianne Schellenberg
CHALLENGE WINNERS: 1st Place: Cathy Spanish “Screech Owl”; 2nd Place: Eddie Walker “Walla Walla Hills; 3rd Place: Nancy Kessler “Ought Oh!”
BEST OF SHOW: Cynda Clark, “Columbia”; 1st Place: Jess Berry, “Summer Friends”. Also West of the Blues Favorite; 2nd Place: Pat Lucarelli “Susan’s Dresden Plates”; 3rd Place: Mary Price “Mary’s Garden”
Walla Walla Sew ‘N Vac & Spas Favorite: Susan Purcell, “Flying Home”
Stash Favorite: Pat Lucarelli, “Mary, Mary, Quite Contrary?”
West of the Blues: Judy Mail “Basket Weaver”d
SMALL QUILTS: 1st Place: Lianne Schellenberg “Coyote Chorus”; 2nd Place: ” 3rd Place: “
PEOPLES CHOICE BLOCK WINNER:
FESTIVAL COMMITTEE CHALLENGE:
2016
Location: Walla Walla County Fairgrounds, Community Building; Quilt Delivery – Floral Building, WW Co. Fairgrounds
BEST OF SHOW: Ken Hegge, Patience”
Large Quilts: 1st Place, Eleanor Weston, “Eternity with Jesus” – Special Award from Highland Quilts, Athena, OR
2nd Place, Jess Berry, “Welsh Beauty”
3rd Place, Nancy Knowlton, “Garden Among Thorns tied with Mary Jo Geodl, “Kaliedoscope” and recieved special award from West of the Blues
People’s Choice, Mary Price, “Escape”
Small Quilts: 1st Place, Mary Price “POsie Hexie Diagonal Table Topper”
2nd Place, Lianne Schellenberger, “Hey Mom! Look at Me”
3rd Place, Becky Martin, “Self Portrait”
Festival Challenge “Stained Glass”
1st Place, Nancy Kessler, “Stained Glass”
2nd Place, Deanna Jameson, “Up, Up, and Away”
3rd Place, Terri Hellberg, “Roses”
People’s Choice: Becci Lund, “A Star”
Block Lotto Winner, Block # KK Mona Himmelberger
2017
Location: Walla Walla County Fairgrounds, Community Building; Quilt Delivery – Floral Building, WW Co. Fairgrounds
National Featured Quilter: Joe Cunningham, San Francisco, CA
Local Featured Quilter: Ken Hegge: Pendleton, OR
Best of Show and Top Stitching:
Large Quilts: 1st Place – Jess Berry – Hollyhocks
2nd Place – Nancy Knowlton – Embroiders of Mother Earth
3rd Place – Cheryl Ringering – Trip Around the World
Small Quilts: 1st Place – Stacey Berg – Dance of the Dragonflies
2nd Place – Judy Main – A Tisket A Tasket
3rd Place -Jess Berry – Stitched Heart
Quilt Challenge 1st Place – Nancy Kessler – Paint the Town Red
2nd Place – Cathy Spanish – Nature’s Paint – Sunset Windows
3rd Place – Deanna Jameson – Paint Our Town with Reds
People’s Choice – Becci Lund – Walla Walla in Red
Special Award – Walla Walla Sew ‘N Vac & Spas – Charlotte Collier – Majesty
Special Award – Stash – Mary Crowther – Farm Girl Vintage – On The Farm
Special Award – West of the Blues – Sarah Bergman – Four Seasons of Kimonos
Block Challenge Winner: Atarah Richerzhagen, Youth Quilter
2018
Location: Walla Walla County Fairgrounds, Community Building; Quilt Delivery – Floral Building, WW Co. Fairgrounds
National Featured Quilter: Teresa Silva, Yakima, WA
Local Featured Quilter: Cathy Wiese, Milton Freewater, OR
Best of Show: Juliann Gunningham – “EIEIO”
Large Quilts: 1st Place – Mona Himmelberger – “Vintage Rose”
2nd Place – Johanne Moore – “Fire Island Hosta”
3rd Place – Becci Lund – “Halo Medallion Quilt”
Small Quilts: 1st Place – Karen Brun – “You CAN Go Home Again:
2nd Place – Lianne Schellenber – “Walt Whitman”
3rd Place – Barbara Minton – “Summers Smile Helianthus:
Quilt Challenge 1st Place – : Pat Jones – “Black Cat”
2nd Place – Pat Lucarelli – “Halloween Fun”
3rd Place – Eddie Walker – “Booville”
People’s Choice – Mona Himmelberger – “Witchie Boo”
Special Award – Walla Walla Sew ‘N Vac & Spas – Cheryl Ringering – “Cancer Center Raffle”
Special Award – Stash – SaraReynolds – “Octagon Shimmer”
Special Award – West of the Blues – Mona Himmelberger – “Vintage RoseSpecial Award
Highland Quilts – Karen Brun – “Heavenly Hexies”
Block Challenge Winner: Pam Murray
2019
Location: Walla Walla County Fairgrounds
National Featured Quilter – Shannon Gillman Orr, Northern California
Local Featured Quilters – Pat Lucarelli and Susie Golden – Mother and Daughter from Walla Walla
Large Quilts – 1st Place: Alice Ikenberry – Ballet
2nd Place: Becci Lund Scrappy Crazy
3rd Place: Shelly Coykendall – Western Elements
Peoples’ Choice Large Quilts – Briallenn Clearwater- “A Small Celebration”
Small Quilts – 1st Place: Becci Lund – Birdsville
2nd Place: Karen Brun OCD to the Extreme
3rd Place: Lianne Schellenberg – He’s Still the One
Quilt Challenge – 1st Place: Marilyn McCann – Let’s Celebrate Our Quilting Foremothers
2nd Place: edie Walker – Celebrate
3rd Place: Mona Himmelberger – Celebrate
People’s Choice Quilt Challenge – Briallen Clearwater A Small Celebration
People’s Choice Best of Show – Tammie Buchanan – Anticipation
Special Award – Walla Walla Sew ‘n Vac & Spas – Alice Ikenberry – Lucy Boston Patchwork of the Cross
Special Award – Stash – Alice Ikenberry – Dear Jane
Special Award – West of the Blues – Bonnie Bennet and Carola Krenrich – Legendary
Special Award – Highland Quilts – Mona Himmelberger – Wisdom
Pat Jones Hand Applique Award – Charlotte Trumball – Hawaiian Flowers
2020 Show Cancelled due to COVID
2021 Show Cancelled due to COVID
2022
Theme: Masquerade
Location – Walla Walla County Fairgrounds
National Featured Quilter– Heather Black of Quiltachusetts – Sandpoint, Idaho
Local Featured Quilter – Judy Benzel of Walla Walla
People’s Choice Best of Show – Colleen Reser – My Enchanted Garden
Large Quilts – 1st Place: Mona Himmelberger – Dinner Plate Dahlia
2nd Place: Susan Schlenz – Underground Railroad
3rd Place: – Becco Lund – Color My World;
Small Quilts – 1st Place: Colleen Blackwood – Simply the Best
2nd Place: – Carol Anselmo – Dragon Turtle 3rd Place:
Carol Anselmo – Where Ryan Went People’s Choice:
Quilt Challenge – 1st Place: Mona Himmelberger – Masquerade Night Sky
2nd Place: Marilyn McCann One of These Things is Not Like the Other
3rd Place: Carol Anelmo – Masquerade
Quilt Challenge People’s Choice: Mona Himmelberger – Masquerade Night Sky
Special Award – Walla Walla Sew ‘n Vac & Spas : Becky Martin – Home Is Where The Heart Is
Special Award – Stash :Becci Lund – Color My World
Special Award – West of the Blues : Mona Himmelberger Dinner Plate Dahilia
Special Award – Highland Quilts : Lisa Woodbury – A Well Dressed Quilt
2023
Location – Walla Walla County Fairgrounds
National Featured Quilter– Karen Walker of Portland, OR, and SW Washington
Local Featured Quilter – Mona Himmelberger of Walla Walla
Large Quilts – 1st Place: Meredith Mitchell – Garden Down Under
2nd Place: Cindy Nicholson – 4 Patch/Plaid
3rd Place: – Cindy Jones – Barn Yard Swirl
Small Quilts – 1st Place: Freida Wade- Dance of the Dragon Flies
2nd Place: – Judy Hall – Nashagak, Alaska Quilt Art
3rd Place: – edie Walker Our Town People’s Choice:
Block Challenge People’s Choice: Denise Schillaci
Quilt Challenge – 1st Place: Mona Himmelberger – Wildflowers
2nd Place: Becci Lund – Wildflowers
3rd Place: Carol Anselmo – What Wildflowers Do When The Stars Come Out
Quilt Challenge People’s Choice: Mona Himmelberger – Wildflowers
People’s Choice Best of Show – Becci Lund – Afternoon Delight
Special Award – Walla Walla Sew ‘n Vac & Spas : Cathy Spanish – And the Sun Rests
Special Award – Stash : Meredith Mitchell – Garden Down Under
Special Award – West of the Blues : Mona Himmelberger -Infinity
Special Award – Highland Quilts: Sylvia Lewis – Aunt Cora’s Flower Basket
2024
Remembrance for Jess Berry
Theme: Crayon Challenge 2+1
Location – Walla Walla County Fairgrounds
National Featured Quilter– Robin Long of Robin Ruth Designs, Ritzville, WA
Local Featured Quilter – Juliann Gunningham
Large Quilts – 1st Place: Meredith Mitchell – Glacier Star
2nd Place: Meredith Mitchell- Halo Medallion
3rd Place: Nancy Powell – The Raven
Small Quilts – 1st Place: Marlene Sager – Blooming Hexagons
2nd Place: Carol Anselmo – Vintage Hankies Quilt
3rd Place: Marilyn McCann – There is no Reason Not to Have Fish Hair
Block Challenge – Peoples’ Choice: Lisa Woodbury
2+1 Challenge Quilts – 1st Place: eddie Walker – Cats
2nd Place: Kim Waddle – Heart of the Storm
3rd Place: Katherine Berkley – Disappearing 4 Patch
Peoples’ Choice: eddie Walker – Cats
Peoples’ Choice Best of Show – Becci Lund – Garden Party Down Under
Special Award – Stash: Gretchen Michaels – Picasso Inspired
Special Award – West of the Blues: Gloria Barreto – Flying Home
Special Award – Highland Quilts: Laura Sell – Once Upon a Time
Special Award – Walla Walla Sew ‘N Vac & Spas: Jessica Murff – Modern Wayfinder
2025
Theme: Improv
Location – Walla Walla County Fairgrounds
First ever display of quilted clothing, also new category medium sized quilts
National Featured Quilter – Jennie Jo Lamb and Alexandra Imbrie of Lamb Farm Designs
Large Quilts – 1st Place: Mona Himmelberger – Nana’s Garden
2nd Place: Marlene Wilson – Cathedral Windows
3rd Place: Elaine Shaw – Bali Star Wedding Quilt
Peoples’ Choice: Marlene Wilson – Cathedral Windows
Medium Quilts – 1st Place: Sylvia Lewis – Dance of the Flowers
2nd Place: Nancy Gromen – Buttermold Sampler
3rd Place: Sydnee Watson – Embroidered Quilt
Peoples’ Choice: Sylvia Lewis – Dance of the Flowers
Small Quilts – 1st Place: Carol Anselmo – Diamond Hexies
2nd Place: Elly Sherry – Calling Me Home
3rd Place: Jessica Rennaker – Skulliver
Peoples’ Choice: Carol Anselmo – Diamond Hexies
Block Challenge: Peoples’ Choice: Kay Lehmann – Sea Turtle
Improv Quilt Challenge: 1st Place: Elaine Shaw – Orphan Improv
2nd Place: Gretchen Michaels – Paint Chip Face
3rd Place: Ann Sipe – Falling Scrap
Peoples’ Choice: eddie Walker – Chicken
Peoples’ Choice Best of Show: Mark Palmer- Birds of Paradise
Special Award – Walla Walla Sew n’Vac: Freida Wade – Barn Star Sampler
Special Award – Stash: Bonnie Bennett – Windy Days
Special Award – West of the Blues: Sylvia Lewis – Dance of the Flowers
Special Award – Highland Quilts: Jessica Rennaker – Queen of Diamonds