The Bainbridge Island Modern Quilt Guild will again blanket Winslow Way with works of handmade artistry on Saturday, Sept. 8 as part of the annual Bainbridge Quilt Festival.

Begun in September 2013 by local fabric store owner Barbara Kirk, the yearly exhibition sees quilts hanging throughout downtown Winslow, outside shops and storefronts, and from awnings.

“We work with the merchants and landlords to accomplish this,” guild officials said. “The quilts will be hung with clothespins or clips from lines or poles, depending on the situation.”

Last year’s festival included more than 200 quilts, and organizers said this year was shaping up to be even bigger.

A sew-in for American Hero Quilts, which provides free handmade quilts to military veterans, will also be taking place on Sept. 8. Visit www.bainbridgeislandmodernquiltguild.com/bainbridge-quilt-festival-faqs.html to learn more.

Various ballot boxes, where votes can be cast for the “Viewer’s Choice Prize,” a basket of sewing goodies from area shops, will be out as well. A raffle is in the plans, with the winner receiving this year’s donated quilt: “Northwest Sunset,” by Susan Smith.

A 16-by-17-inch runner will also be raffled. The first winner chosen gets to pick from the quilt or runner; the second name drawn gets the alternative prize.

The Bainbridge Island Modern Quilt Guild is a nonprofit group dedicated to developing and encouraging the art of modern quilting. The group encourages new quilters and other fiber artists interested in non­-traditional fiber projects, offers educational opportunities through classes and workshops, and supports and provides opportunity for philanthropic works that give back to the community through the use of modern quilting skills.

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