October 2025 ⋆ Crafty Looks at Quilting, Embroidery, and Fabrics

Quilter’s Paradise On Display

A highlight of the International Quilt Festival and Market is the chance to check out the award-winning quilts on display. The George R. Brown Convention Center in downtown Houston, Texas, showcases an extensive collection of quilts in various categories and themes. The outcomes are inspiring, colorful, and showcase the skill and imagination of the quilt makers.

Cherrywood Challenge

I especially enjoy checking out the Cherrywood Challenge. Each year, the company offers up a new challenge. On display was the traveling exhibit from the Abyss Challenge. The rules are simple and direct.

Use only the colors designated within the bundle. This challenge used one of three collections: the Squid, Octopus, or Angelfish.
Create an original design.
The finished piece must be a square 20″ x 20″

Simple right? You might expect to see some similarities in the submitted quilts, but you would be wrong. These fabulous quilts show a vast variety in colors, designs, shapes, and outcomes.

The quilts are juried, and quilters are encouraged to use all the colors in the collection. The Abyss referred to the theme of – Creatures from the Deep.

Plus, the way that the organizers display these square quilts is surprising. They are arranged on a display board. When you think you have seen all the quilts, you turn the corner and there are more quilts. And more quilts and more corners to turn. The outcome leaves you breathless and anxious to turn the corner and see even more designs.