Whether it's rock or pop, country or blues, jazz or classical, rap or heavy metal, songs have always inspired both people and artists working in all sorts of mediums. They can also come wrapped in memories, instantly transporting the listener to a specific place and time in their life. Artists submitted a quilt titled after a song, and then interpreted that tune or their feelings about it in fabric

20 Perspectives is an international group of fiber artists from Australia, U.S., Canada, and Europe. Their challenges reflect their cultures and worldviews, and the theme here is “nature.” Works run the gamut from the grand scale from humans and animals to insects and plants.

Alex Is Crafting is an award-winning cosplayer based in New York City. They have been making costume and yarn work and are a co-director of Anime NYC's Masquerade and Vice President of the NYC Crochet Guild. They also design their own patterns, host panels and workshops about yarn cosplaying, and compete in the cosplay convention circuit in their yarn costumes. Alex can be found online as AlexIsCrafting, and on Etsy at MooreWarmth.

Recognizing the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States, this exhibit features a diverse range of quilts, telling personal and collective stories, while emphasizing the emotional and social connections of quilting. These quilts celebrate the creativity and craftsmanship of quilters, highlighting the cultural and historical experience of African-Americans and people of color.

Participants were challenged to select an existing quilt that fits the Quilt Study guidelines and create a smaller replica, interpreting the elements of the original quilt in a new and fresh way. This exhibit highlights many of the participants’ inspiration and showcases their corresponding replica quilts from various AQSG Quilt Studies through the years.

Arcadia includes the 14 cover quilts for the Quiltworx Technique of the Month, using fabrics from companies across the industry. This exhibit is unique in that it features 14 of the same quilts in two sizes (80” and 99”), imagined by their makers in unexpected ways. It is truly an industry collaboration, showcasing your favorite fabric designs, fabric companies, national instructors, and quilt shops.

Alex Is Crafting is an award-winning cosplayer based in New York City. They have been making costume and yarn work and are a co-director of Anime NYC’s Masquerade and Vice President of the NYC Crochet Guild. They also design their own patterns, host panels and workshops about yarn cosplaying, and compete in the cosplay convention circuit in their yarn costumes.

Celebrating playfulness, femininity, and emotional resilience through a recurring motif: The blue petticoat. Quilted portraits of women and girls wrapped in layers of blue tulle—often accompanied by balloons, bows, flowers, or a costumed corgi—appear whimsical, yet speak to joy as quiet defiance. Works were created with photography, digital painting, textile collage, and freestyle quilting.

Brazil is a country that has received much from the world through its immigration. This exhibit brings together Brazilian quilters, who love flowers, to showcase some of these blooms. We mix native flowers with those that came from abroad, along with small seedlings of hope... all blooming and perfuming the country of Brazil.

A series of large, three-dimensional art quilt installations consisting of fiber art pieces in a variety of sizes, scale, and dimensions. Works include a triptych quilt of native Ethiopian landscape. It is storytelling through textiles using fabric, illustration, and mixed media. This exhibition is designed to raise awareness of ecological preservation, global consciousness, and cultural diversity.

Art is an excellent way to express emotions. For this exhibit, artists depict how they, a family member, or a friend celebrated a loved one’s wedding, birth, birthday, or memorial. Colors, patterns, traditional blocks, or abstract drawings can be combined or used alone to convey a wide range of emotions, moods, and feelings.

Art is an excellent way to express emotions. For this exhibit, artists depict how they, a family member, or a friend celebrated a loved one’s wedding, birth, birthday, or memorial. Colors, patterns, traditional blocks, or abstract drawings can be combined or used alone to convey a range of emotions from happy to sad. Share your emotional art with others!

The 2026 theme, Storytime, evokes nostalgic memories of snuggling up at night to read a favorite book. The challenge aims to capture the timeless joy and imagination of classic stories. From beloved childhood tales to personal narratives told through fabric and thread, The Storytime Challenge comprises 225 small art quilts, celebrating connection, imagination, and nostalgia.

This exhibition presents a curated selection of works by members of the Korea Contemporary Quilt Group. Showcasing diverse artistic approaches, the quilts explore color, form, and composition through a contemporary lens. Each artist brings a distinct voice, offering a compelling perspective on the evolving landscape of contemporary quilt art in Korea.

Cowdery began sewing at the age of nine, and under her mother’s guidance developed an appreciation and knowledge of textiles. After many years in commercial interior design, she began to transition from making garments to fiber art. Her work often consists of art quilts and drawing with thread, with the preferred handwork methods including embroidery, beading, and appliqué. She also gravitates toward bright colors.

Melinda Stanton fell in love with English paper piecing, and the work of English novelist Lucy Boston in particular. Happy to “spread the Lucy love,” she has taught dozens of classes over the years, in stores and at guilds. Stanton is very proud of her students’ work and grateful to them for sharing it. This exhibit showcases some of the many ways that EPP blocks can be used.

This solo exhibition by Naida Koraly presents 39 originally designed fabric collage art quilts depicting world history as seen through the eyes of women from different countries and cultures. These art quilts offer a unique merging of the quilting arts with the fine arts as viewers journey through vibrantly colored fictional scenes based on historical facts.

This exhibit will showcase Princess Feather and Feathered Star quilts. Quilters have long associated feathers with the 19th and 20th Centuries. The earliest documented use of the Princess Feather design was found on a quilt dated 1818, by Mary Summerville, and donated to the Spencer Museum. Feathered Star quilts began appearing in the 19th Century, as well, intricately pieced and time-consuming to construct. Modern sewing methods and machines make quick work of these two cherished designs. You may enter antique, modern, recently made, inherited, or purchased quilts in these two styles.

This exhibit honors the artistry of the Quilt Guild of Greater Houston, showcasing quilts created by its members in celebration of its historic founding in 1976 as the first quilt guild in Texas. This exhibit celebrates quilting not only as an art form, but as an expression of creativity, legacy, and enduring connection. It is a tribute to the makers, the memories, and the shared threads that bind this guild together.

Artists from around the world incorporate influences from their own cultures into the design and technique of their quilts. This prestigious, long-running international showcase includes recent quilts by some of these international artists.

Artists from around the world incorporate influences from their own cultures into the design and technique of their quilts. This prestigious, long-running international showcase includes recent quilts by some of these international artists.

Hooked on Presidents brings American history to life—one loop at a time. This remarkable exhibition features 44 hand-hooked rug portraits of U.S. Presidents, created by acclaimed sister artists Nola Heidbreder and Linda Pietz. It offers a fresh, engaging approach to presidential portraiture through the traditional folk art of rug hooking.

Two great Houston Institutions have come together for International Quilt Festival to present the Blue Ribbon Winning quilts from the 2026 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo (HLSR). We’re sure you’ll enjoy the quilts of Texas, with winners in both the Adult and Juvenile categories. To participate in the HLSR quilt competition in 2027, check their website at www.RodeoHouston.com.

Just as quilters create beautiful art with fabric, florists and gardeners cultivate works of beauty from the soil. This exhibit showcases floral-inspired quilts from across the spectrum in lush color and splendor.

Just as quilters create beautiful art with fabric, florists and gardeners cultivate works of beauty from the soil. This exhibit showcases floral-inspired quilts from across the spectrum in lush color and splendor.

Contemporary quiltmakers often look to the art form’s rich tradition and history for inspiration in their own work. This exhibit features recently made quilts incorporating traditional blocks, styles, and/or techniques.

Contemporary quiltmakers often look to the art form’s rich tradition and history for inspiration in their own work. This exhibit features recently made quilts incorporating traditional blocks, styles, and/or techniques.

The IHOC is the creation of Chicago-based duo Preeti Samraj and Jade Carrico, fiber artists whose collaborative work explores storytelling, play, and humor through crochet. Together, they transform the art of crochet into a world of playful abundance through their ongoing series of installations. For this exhibition, they reimagine the classic dinner party in yarn, a vibrant feast for the senses and imagination with a candlelit table scene brought entirely to life by crochet.

A selection of quilts which won awards at the world’s most prestigious Judged Show for quilts as part of IQF/Houston.

From valleys and volcanoes to mountains and monuments, landscapes often inspire artists, including many in the quilt world. This exhibit showcases many stunning geographical wonders.

From valleys and volcanoes to mountains and monuments, landscapes often inspire artists, including many in the quilt world. This exhibit showcases many stunning geographical wonders.

This exhibit features crochet works by Tracy Smith

This exhibition presents works that explore the relationship between light, color, and transparent layers through organza patchwork. Each work is fully detailed on both front and back, creating different visual experiences depending on the viewer’s perspective and surrounding environment. Through this, the works propose a visual balance between material and immaterial qualities.

Eleven quilt projects by American artist Marianne McCann, spanning 42 years of her artistry (1984-2026). The exhibit illuminates one woman's life journey expressed in needle and thread, with an emphasis on re-using found materials.

Modern quilts often take traditional blocks and reinterpret them by using solid-colored fabrics or give them a new twist by using negative space, minimal repeats, improvisational piecing, and gridding for quilting. A modern quilt can be pieced or appliquéd. Share your interpretation of a modern quilt based on a traditional pattern with us!

Modern quilts often take traditional blocks and reinterpret them by using solid-colored fabrics or give them a new twist by using negative space, minimal repeats, improvisational piecing, and gridding for quilting. A modern quilt can be pieced or appliquéd.

Celebrating the enduring story of our nation through the powerful language of fiber. This invites viewers to experience America as seen, felt, and remembered by quiltmakers from across the country. The quilts in this exhibition reflect personal and collective interpretations of America—its triumphs and challenges, its joys and sacrifices. Unified not by style or era but by meaning, these quilts honor the diverse ways Americans express identity, memory, and belonging.

The Guild is dedicated to preserving and promoting the craft and art of crochet for current and future generations. They accomplish this by raising awareness and appreciation of the art of crochet and through teaching, and giving back to the community by donating crocheted items to charitable organizations. The Octo-Maid and the sea creatures were made by amigurumi artist Lara Castle. The Maid’s wig was done by cosplay knit/crochet artist Alex Is Crafting. The seaweed shawls were made by fiber artist Rachel Moore, and the coral reef by Eden Castle, Andrea Giattini, Alex Moore, Willena Nanton, Myrian Primera, Paul Stark, and Shari White.

The Guild is dedicated to preserving and promoting the craft and art of crochet for current and future generations. The Octo-Maid and the sea creatures were made by amigurumi artist Lara Castle and the wig was done by cosplay knit/crochet artist Alex Is Crafting. The seaweed shawls and the coral reef were created by multiple fiber artists.

Do you think quilts made with only one color are boring? No! In fact, they can be visually exciting. These artists prove that here. Each quilt in this exhibit begins with a single color and truly showcases the color challenge by incorporating various shades, tints, tones and value from light to dark. Each artist created a stunning and beautiful monochromatic piece with depth and visual interest.

This exhibit reflects unique interpretations of designated patterns sewn into quilts and sometimes believed to be a code communicating a path to freedom during the time of slavery in America. Certain colors and symbols have been thought to reveal information aiding navigation from one checkpoint to the next for freedom seekers. These quilts are examples of beliefs by quilters and some family members that are passed down in stories and hold significant threads within the multilayered fabric of American history. Research into this topic will undoubtedly continue.

The American Museum & Gardens will present three quilts from its newly acquired collection of twelve extraordinary works by the renowned group of African-American women from Gee’s Bend, Alabama. The exhibition showcases the work of Essie Bendolph Pettway, Loretta Pettway Bennett, and Sally Mae Pettway Mixon.

Do you think quilts made with only one color are boring? No! In fact, they can be visually exciting. These artists proved this in the beautiful exhibit. Each quilt in this exhibit begins with a single color and truly showcases the color challenge by incorporating various shades, tints, tones, and value from light to dark. Each artist created a stunning and beautiful monochromatic piece with depth and visual interest.

For 25 years, members of the Quilts Inc. Education Show Team have been a vibrant and creative presence at our events, bringing color, personality, and artistry to the classroom halls and show floor through their handmade garments. This special exhibit celebrates the remarkable tradition of team members designing and wearing unique, handcrafted clothing. From bold patchwork jackets and embellished vests to intricately pieced skirts and wearable art, these garments reflect the creativity, skill, and camaraderie that define the Education Team. Many of the garments feature fabrics and patterns generously donated by amazing companies within the quilting industry.

For over a decade, the Barbara Bush Literacy Foundation has made a difference in the lives of children and adults by giving them the tools they need to become proficient readers. Quilts in this exhibit illustrate a favorite book, tells a story of its own, or encourages someone to read. The exhibit also serves as a tribute to the late former First Lady of the United States herself.

To celebrate the 100th anniversary of the iconic U.S. highway Route 66, this exhibit features 66 unique pieces by members of the of Bits ’n’ Pieces Quilt Guild of Ballwin, Missouri. Each depicts a different location/attraction along Route 66. Some exist in memory, some have welcomed travelers for many years, and some are new additions. The map shows the locations and all states are represented.

This exhibit was created in a spirit of openness, curiosity, and hope. In a time when political and cultural differences are being challenged, this exhibit offers a place to pause and reflect—a stepping stone toward moving forward together. Twelve shared words form the foundation of these works, each interpreted by one Canadian and one American artist.

This exhibition explores the beauty, diversity and significance of pollinators and their impact on our future. Join us in raising awareness of pollinators and their importance through art. Selected pieces highlight the crucial role pollinators play in sustaining Earth's ecosystems.

The mission of this Sugar Land, Texas-based group is to keep the needle arts alive through smocking, embroidery, and heirloom sewing. They support their community by providing Wee Care gowns to area hospitals and parents of babies who have passed away. The group also strives to provide programs that are educational, interesting, and fun.

The mission of this Sugar Land, Texas-based group is to keep the needle arts alive through smocking, embroidery, and heirloom sewing. They support their community by providing Wee Care gowns to area hospitals and parents of babies who have passed away. The group strives to provide programs that are educational, interesting, and just plain fun!