Festival of Quilts 2018

The Festival of Quilts is Europe’s leading patchwork and quilting event, attracting 24,000 quilters from all over the world. The show is a celebration of quilting in all its forms, with over 300 exhibitors offering essential supplies; professionally curated galleries of quilts from leading international makers; 350 workshops, talks and demos; plus a magnificent display of over 700 competition quilts.

As the ultimate patchwork and quilting experience, we set up shop at the Brother stand this year at Birmingham's NEC between August 9th-12th, and while it was a busy weekend, we had a few moments to wander around – here are some of the interesting exhibits we found.

Entitled 'Hickory Dickory Dock', this wonderful quilted Cuckoo Clock really stood out! A remarkable piece, it was made by the Burgess Hill Girls, aged 12 to 16, and  was Highly Commended in the Secondary School category. We especially like the Cukcoo peaking out from behind it's doors.

This piece entitled 'Dance' is by Marisa Marquez. The pointe shoes have  been intricately free-motion quilted to create a wonderful effect. The close-up image shows the minute  detail that Marisa was able to achieve - this quilt must have taken a lot of concentration, and we loved it!

'The Silk Peacock' has been made by Nikki Parmenter. Standing approx 5 feet tall against the white walls, this really was an eye-catching piece. Using fabric to form feathers and lots of jewels to really catch the light, the close-up image shows the piece's lightly featured leather and detailed Indian embroidery at the Peacock's feet.

This Grandfather Clock, also entitled 'Hickory Dickory Dock', is made by Izzy Wheeler and was an entry in the Young Quilter 10 - 13 category. It was Highly Commended by the judges, thanks to the use of metallic thread in the clock face, giving it a lovely, reflective finish.

The image of three clocks, a piece entitled 'Timepiece', is by Kate Crossley. Detailed and inventive, it won second prize in the Quilt Creations category.

This vibrant seascape, entitled 'It's Amore', is made by Karen Milne. The amazing colours of this quilt really make the fish jump out from the wall. The colour detail on the water makes a very realistic effect - who needs an aquarium when you could hang this on your wall!

Unbelievably, this quilt is the size of a human hand, yet it displays the same techniques used in creating a full-sized quilt. The detail is simply superb - how on earth the tiny pices of fabric are joined is beyond us! It's entitled 'Circuit Training' and made by Philippa Naylor. Needless to say, this won first prize in the Miniature Quilt Category. Well done Philippa!

Last but not least we fell upon 'The Tentmakers of Cairo'. Their stand was positioned just in the corridor between the two halls. The vibrancy of the colours made the corridor look like a scene from an Egyptian Souk. All their pieces were for sale separately, but together on the wall, they look like a piece of art!


The Festival of Quilts runs every August at the NEC in Birmingham. Next year's dates are currently to be confirmed, but check our website for regular updates.