Hey, everyone!

How was your weekend? I’m still in Houston, TX, attending the 2025 International Quilt Market, and pretty much running on coffee and starch fumes at this point. I won’t be back in WI until sometime later tonight, but I wanted to pop on quickly with an important reminder for you: the deadline to get your quilts to Primitive Gatherings for the 2025 Scrappy Quilt Show is coming up FAST! If you’ve been “meaning to finish” (or start!) your entry but haven’t quite gotten around to it, consider this your official nudge to stop meaning to, and start actually stitching… Quilt entries are due to PG by October 31st, 2025!

If you missed my initial post about this year’s show, here’s a quick recap of the details: the theme is scrappy, which means it’s time to dig deep into your favorite fabric bins, collection baskets, and mystery stashes. This show is all about celebrating the beauty of what’s left behind after finishing other projects. We’re paying homage to the bits and pieces that prove quilters were some of the original pioneers of recycling — long before it was the “trendy” thing to do!

Recycling aside, scrappy quilts aren’t just a way to use up excess fabric — they’re a testament to ingenuity, resourcefulness, and the joy of turning what could have been trash into something totally show-stopping. If you’ve been holding onto a certain scrappy quilt idea “just in case,” now’s your chance to bring it to life. Trust me, there’s nothing quite like seeing your scraps come together in a quilt that’s equal parts history, ingenuity, and creativity!

Ready to let your scrap stash get the credit it deserves? Here’s the short version of what you need to know:

BASIC QUILT SHOW RULES:

The 2025 Scrappy Quilt Show is open to all who have a paid and confirmed registration completed by October 31st, 2025. Quilt entries must be a combination of at least 75 different fabrics to be entered into the show, and must have been made by the entrant within the last three years. Only ONE entry allowed per person. Quilt entries MUST be received along with a photo and all required signed paperwork to Primitive Gatherings by October 31st, 2025 to qualify to be entered into the show. Please insure your quilt before shipping.

CATEGORIES:

There will be three categories to choose from: Commercial Design – 30″ and above, Original Design – 30″ and above, and Mini Quilt – 30″ and below. Quilts will be hung on display at The Gathering from November 20th through December 19th, 2025. They will be returned after January 15th, 2026.

SHOW REGISTRATION AND ENTRY FEE:

The registration/entry fee for the 2025 Scrappy Quilt Show is $30.00 per person – only ONE entry per person please – it includes entry into the show (you will receive an official registration packet with a complete list of rules, requirements, registration forms, and mailing labels via email once your registration fee is paid), one exclusive show embroidered patch, return shipping and handling of your quilt, and overall show operation. You can sign up and pay your registration fee on our website by clicking the registration button below!

SHOW PROCEEDS:

The best part about all of this is that every quilt entered into the show helps honor our local veterans. All proceeds from the 2025 Scrappy Quilt Show will go directly to the Old Glory Honor Flight program, a nonprofit dedicated to flying local veterans to Washington, D.C., to visit the memorials built in their honor. Founded in 2009 by a group of volunteers in Appleton, Wisconsin, Old Glory Honor Flight has since flown nearly 7,000 veterans to the nation’s capital, providing them with a day of remembrance and appreciation — completely free of charge. By participating in this year’s show, you’re not just showcasing your creativity; you’re helping ensure that more veterans receive the recognition they deserve. For more information about Old Glory Honor Flight, please visit oldgloryhonorflight.org.

PRIZES AND AWARDS:

In addition to some pretty sweet-looking ribbons, I’m still working on what the rest of the prizes will be, but don’t worry! When have you ever participated in a contest or prize drawing and been disappointed with what you’ve won from Primitive Gatherings??? Trust me – whatever I decide, it will be totally worth it! If you have any questions about the The 2025 Scrappy Quilt Show, please email store@primitivegatherings.us for more information!

Now that you’ve been reminded of your mission, it’s time to get busy putting those scraps to work. Just think… your quilt could be the star of the 2025 Scrappy Quilt Show — turning heads, winning prizes, and supporting a cause that honors our local veterans through the Old Glory Honor Flight program. But that can only happen if you enter! Just like they say at the lottery office, you can’t win if you don’t play, so get your needles (and your buns) moving to make sure you don’t miss the registration deadline. We’re already almost a week into October, which means there are only a couple weeks left to get your quilt here. I know you can do it… I believe in you! Still haven’t decided on a quilt pattern? A while back I did a blog post featuring some simple yet beautiful options that are perfect for scraps and definitely quilt show worthy. Check them out by clicking HERE!

Like I always say, I love traveling but I love getting home to my cozy house and sleeping in my own bed even more! I’m having a blast here in TX but will be ready to officially put the 2025 International Quilt Market in the books by the time it all winds down later today.

After that, it’s back home to recoup and rest up for a day or two before heading back to work at PG. I will see you all LIVE from the studio this Thursday at 1:00 p.m. when you tune in for STITCH with Lisa Bongean on YouTube by clicking the STITCH icon below. Until then, have a great week finishing up — or getting started on — your scrappy quilts. I can’t wait to see what you make! ~Lisa