Tag Archives: quilt festival

Cherrywood Challenge 2025

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 2025

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.Cherrywood Challenge 2025

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.

Cherrywood Fabric

Cherrywood Fabrics are known for their cotton fabric that appears to be solid, suede-like colors. All the fabric is hand-dyed and made in Minnesota.Cherrywood Challenge 2025

If seeing these entries encourages you, the 2025 challenge, Storytime, is now open.

Check out all the quilts from the exhibition in the gallery below

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Quilting Magic at the International Quilt Festival

Houston, Texas, will host the International Quilt Festival at the George R. Brown Convention Center from October 9-12, 2025. In addition to the booths and displays offering fabric, patterns, threads, and notions, the Festival will feature an awe-inspiring display of quilts.

Over 1,000 quilts will be on view, focused on one of the 33 themed exhibits. The Festival consistently astounds us with its unique concepts and themes each year, and we eagerly await seeing them all. We can’t imagine the work it must take to cull out the submissions to settle on these few.

If you are going to the Festival, be sure to schedule sufficient time to cruise through the myriad of quilts. The preview night actually takes place on October 8th and is free for students enrolled in a class. Otherwise, it costs $16 for the preview night alone. Or buy a day pass and see the quilts during the show hours.quilt-festival

Some of our favorite categories for the show include the Elite Quilters from Taiwan, where Taiwanese quilting teachers are showcased. Their work is meticulous and detailed.Monkey-Boy

Fall in Ontario offers a glimpse of our northern neighbor with an autumn focus. The quilting is inspirational. Fall-in-Ontario

You can count on the Festival to remember all members of the world. The Cossack Mamai Quilt is a Ukrainian patchwork quilt created by 47 Ukrainian quilters, who produced these 65 segments. Cossack-Mamai-Quilt

It is incredible how some quilts stand the test of time. Fine Feathered Quilts displays the traditional Princess Feather design and Feathered Star quilts. These designs first surfaced in the 1800s.Fine-Feathered-Quilts

Frances Holiday Alford: An 80-Year Retrospective is a collection of the noted quilter’s work. Her work is touching and can’t be missed.Black-Cat-Red-Flowers-Green-Leaves

Can’t wait to see more quilt categories? Subscribe and stand by.

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Images courtesy of International Quilt Festival

Preview of International Quilt Festival

quilt-festivalHouston, Texas, will be colorful and bold when the International Quilt Festival checks into the George R. Brown Convention Center from October 9-12, 2025. Besides the booths offering every conceivable color of fabric and interesting gadgets and notions, the Festival will feature a dazzling display of quilts.

Yes, over 1,100 quilts will be on view, focused on one of the 33 themed exhibits. The Festival consistently astounds us with its unique concepts and themes each year, and we eagerly await seeing them all. The Festival offers a proper display for the quilts, with the lighting just so, and the artists’ stories and backgrounds available to read. We always enjoy seeing these quilts.

If you are going to the Festival, be sure to schedule sufficient time to cruise through the myriad of quilts. The preview night actually takes place on October 8th and is free if you are enrolled in a class. Otherwise, it costs $16 for the preview night alone. Or buy a day pass and see the quilts during the show hours.

Some of our favorite categories for the show include the 1X4: A Dimensional Challenge, where artists must use a narrow vertical format to showcase their skills.Creatures-Real-and-Imagined

4 Common Corners Rocks! asked for quilters to use the Colorado Plateau and the four corners of the states to develop a geo-based quilt.New-Heights

You can count on the Festival to remember all members of the world. Advocacy Quilts: A Voice for the Voiceless enables marginalized women to share their stories through exquisite quilts, bags, and tea towels, each made from embroidered squares.Advocacy

It is amazing what artists can produce. Black & White + One presents displays highlighting the contrasting values with a splash of one color. These offerings came from the Handi Quilter National Educators.B-W1

Brasilidade showcases 15 Brazilian quilts, offering a vast array of expressions, colors, and cultures.Brasilidade

How better to celebrate a special moment in a loved one’s life than in a quilt? So Celebrate Life presents a variety of techniques to honor special moments.Weddding-Quilt

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Images courtesy of International Quilt Festival

Two Quilt Festivals Were Successful

The International Quilt Festival successfully wrapped up two exciting shows in the Western United States with great success. It was nice to see quilters getting a chance to see the latest offerings and become inspired by some of the judged quilts. We can’t wait for the Houston, Texas Quilt Festival in November.

The Salt Lake City Quilt Festival was July 21-23 at the Salt Palace Convention Center. Followed by the Long Beach Quilt Festival held this month August 4-6  at the Long Beach Entertainment & Convention Center. Both events had great attendance from both vendors and quilters. It’s been a while for a Long Beach, California show, and Salt Lake, Utah was a new addition. Quilters and crafters came from across the region to check out the offerings, classes, and friendship.

Celebration of Color

The quilt festival organizers also recently announced the top winners of their “A Celebration of Color” show, with unique selections. This annual judged competition is open to all quilters, with a focus on the vibrant use of colors. The three categories were Traditional, Modern and Art with each winner taking home $500 with the Best of Show being awarded $1,000.

The Best of Show was given to Caryl Bryer Fallert-Gentry for Celebration #2. Fallert-Gentry used an original design and hand-dyed fabrics.celebrations-2

The Art category was claimed by Lou Ellen Hassold for Clamshell Surprise. Her variation of the Judy Niemeyer design is bright and colorful. She discusses her work here.

clamshell-Surprise

Susan McKinney won the Modern pick for Chroma Infinitum. It was paper-pieced with over 50 colors.Chroma-Infinitum

Twenty Baskets Full of Flowers by Rossillis Rosario won the Traditional selection. It took two years to make.Twenty-Baskets-Full-of-Flowers

Houston Quilt Festival

The next Festival will be held in Houston, Texas on November 3-6, 2022.  Here are some details. We can’t wait to see the vendors, classes, and quilts on display.

Which quilt did you favor?

Images courtesy of International Quilt Festival

Classes Announced for Houston Quilt Festival

Great instructors and classes just announced

The Houston Quilt Festival is a great event. Besides buying tons of fabric, patterns, and tools, the Festival offers over 350 classes from renowned instructors.  This is your chance to get close-up and personal instruction from some of the best of the best.Houston Quilt Festival

The wizards at quilts.com announced the lineup of instructors and their classes at the Houston Quilt Festival. You cannot register for these classes quite yet but you can start figuring out which instructors and classes you want to be. Some classes are full-day events and some are two-hour meetings.  

Registration will open up in July 2021. So mark your calendars now. While making your plans a reminder that they have a preview night for their quilt display on October 27, 2021. So if you will be there early why not plan on seeing the quilts without as much of a crowd?

Faculty at the Houston Quilt Festival

How about if we do some name dropping?  Among the instructors is Teresa Coates (you probably know her from Shannon Fabrics and the Cuddle fabric), Laura Heine, Paula Nadelstern, and Ricky Tims.  Can’t overlook Arizona’s Cindy Lohbeck and her fabric dyeing classes that we have discussed before.Hand Dyed Fabric

The Festival starts on October 28th and concludes on Halloweens, October 31, 2021.  It is held at the George R. Brown Convention Center in downtown Houston, Texas. Some of these classes start early on October 25 and 25.  After all how else do you squeeze in more than 350 classes?

quilts.com

Houston Quilt Festival Housing Info

Since the event is in downtown Houston, Texas there are plenty of hotels within walking distance to the George R. Brown Convention center. Two have walkways that adjoin the convention center and more are within a few blocks away. Best to make hotel plans now as some already are booked full. Don’t forget two airports service Houston so you should have plenty of options to fly into the Houston area.

Will we see you there at the Houston Quilt Festival?

 

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Benartex Virtual Fabric Show

Benartex held a “Virtual Fabric Show” to present their upcoming lineup of fabrics from a variety of designers. What a smashing set of collections from some innovative designers. Colors were abundant and so were some clever designs and motifs. Although they had plenty to look at during this daylong event we choose to highlight just a few of our favorites.

Until the Houston Quilt Market arrives this fall, we will be relegated to more of these virtual events. But at least the designers and fabric manufacturers can deliver some fresh new looks during this “new normal”. Let’s check out our favorites from Benartex.

Amanda Murphy and Benartex

Amanda Murphy added two collections to the fall mix. Her Frolic collection featured “vibrant floral and geometric prints in the designer’s signature style. The array of scales, motifs, and colors gives you endless design possibilities.”

Clamshells have been in vogue since 2019 and her Stepping Stones help provide her interpretation of this classic look. The frolic lineup should show up in your local fabric store by late Fall 2021FRC_SteppingStones_plum3

Amanda also presented her latest, Cotton Shot Pearl. Take some of the best colorings that she has offered in the past and add on a shimmer of pearl on top for a new look. Sparkle and glam galore will rule this collection with a very rich but subtle look. This set of fabrics should be in the quilting stores by July 2021. We can’t wait to see it in person!Cotton-Shot-by-Amanada-Murphy

Cheryl Haynes and Benartex

Hailing from Prairie Grove Peddler, Cheryl Haynes also offered two new collections for the fall. A Wooly Garden “is filled with the sweetest little bunnies dressed up in bows, bird houses, flowered wreaths, and polka dots – all with the snuggly look of wool.” Those bunnies and other designs will be at the stores by September 2021.Wooly-Garden-by-Cheryl-Haynes

We have always been fans of houndstooth and Haynes’ version of Blushed Houndstooth shows us why. It can serve multiple purposes in your quilts and love the variety of pastels and earth tones she selected. It too will be available in September 2021 so keep your eyes open.Houndstooth-by-Cheryl-Haynes

Andi Metz and Benartex

The Fun in the Sun collection from Andi Metz will remove the gloom and gray skies in any location and perk you right up. “These upbeat and colorful fabrics featuring bold and bright sunglasses, fun flip flops, and tropical flowers will transport you straight to flamingo beach!” Since they will be available in December 2021 it will be perfect timing to get something done for springtime. They will certainly inspire the avid quilter to reach out and craft a gorgeous colorful quilt.Fun-in-the-Sun-3-by-Andi-Metz

Karla Gerard and Benartex

Wow. Normally we would stop at three wonderful designers but had to include Karla’s latest collection. “Folkscapes” offers a vivid collection combining her love of folk art and primitives in one stylish look. You will be inspired when you see this lineup at your stores in October 2021.Folkscapes-by-Karla-Gerard

So there you have it four designers and six great collections from Benartex. Which is your favorite?

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Illustrations courtesy of Benartex

 

 

 

 

Virtual Quilt Market

Like many other events, the Spring Quilt Market has transitioned to the Virtual Quilt Market this year. From the producers at Quilts.com who are world-famous for their Houston shows, the Quilt Market Houston, and the Quilt Festival Houston, the Virtual Quilt Market is a must attend event for those in the fabric trade.ed63a33b-7c26-4501-bdfd-00c2d5ac5443

Virtual Quilt Market Details

Here is what you can see after registering for the Virtual Quilt Market. Some selections are extra fees beyond the registration but well worth it.blade-saver-thread-cutter

  • 90 Exhibitor booths
  • Over 80 Schoolhouse demonstrations of products and techniques
  • 18 Take and Teach Classes
  • 8 business Seminars
  • 6 Legal Seminars
  • Sneak Peek section of new products
  • Plus “Today’s Quilting Trends 2021” will be offeredMiller

Of course, the Virtual Quilt Market is limited to the “trade only” but this is a prime way to learn about new offerings and products.

After all who wouldn’t want to see the latest Kimberbell, Michael Miller, and Moda fabrics? We can’t wait to see all the new offerings.gray

Virtual Quilt Market Registration

The Virtual Quilt Market is available from March 23-25, 2021. 

You can register here. Don’t wait, do it NOW!

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Images courtesy of Virtual Quilt Market.

Colors to “Dye” For

The Houston Market/Festival is a huge quilter’s paradise held annually in the fall. The Quilt Market is a show for “trade only” qualified buyers, with over 1000 vendors showing quilt shops what the newest merchandise, lines, and fabrics will look like. Then it magically transforms into the Quilt Festival where retailers set up booths covering the George R. Brown Convention Center for four days of sales. It is the largest annual quilt show in the United States. But an oft-overlooked part of the event is the chance to attend some of the 550+ classes offered each year during the shows.

Cindy Lohbeck – Hand Dyeing Fabric

That’s where we ran into Scottsdale, Arizona resident Cindy Lohbeck who was teaching one of the six classes she taught during the show. She gave a day-long, hands-on class “Rad Ombre” where students could hand dye her custom cotton fabric in a variety of hues and styles. In the hallway outside the classroom hung rows of colorful fabric.Hand Dyed Fabric

Lohbeck explained that her process uses a compact and tidy process that avoids constant dipping and bending. At last year’s show, she was using PVC pipe to serve as her drip rig but now has converted to a thinner “tent pole-like” structure. She has been involved in dyeing fabric for over 13 years.Hand Dyed Fabric

Hand Dyeing Classes

Normally (pre-Covid-19), Lohbeck would travel the country offering classes at select shops. She typically offered sixty classes a year. Now she is offering an on-line class exclusively through her website, www.handsonhanddyes.com. That is also the name of her company’s Facebook page – Handsonhanddyes. She also sells kits that include not only the tools for dyeing the fabrics but also clear instructions. Plus her website offers replacement dye sets for repeat customers. She is also now cautiously resuming in-person classes.Hand Dyed Fabric

Lohbeck noted that she “teaches what she knows” and that if people see the demonstration they will buy her kits. She typically offers an on-line class once a month now and felt that this way she “could seize the opportunity that this crisis offered”. The class gives each student a chance to “glance” over her shoulder and see exactly what she is doing. Plus she is available after the class for personal advice and follow-ups.Hand Dyed Fabric

Presently both Houston shows are still scheduled for this year (October 24-31, 2021) and classes will be announced later this year. Check out http://www.quilts.com for more details about the Houston shows.Hand Dyed Fabric