About Us

Quilts, Inc. is the parent company of one public show and two trade shows for the quilting and soft crafts industry shown below. Its Founder and CEO is Karoline (Karey) Bresenhan, a member of the Quilter’s Hall of Fame.

 

SHOWS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

Quilt Festival

 
International Quilt Festival/Houston (1975-Present)

The International Quilt Festival is the largest annual quilt show in the U.S. and takes place each fall in Houston, Texas. Festival regularly attracts more than 40,000 people from over 25 countries all around the world. There’s shopping at more than 700 booths for quilts, fabric, supplies, and crafts, along with 350 classes and lectures for all experience levels. Festival features more than 1,200 quilts and unique works of textile art on display. We also have editions in the spring and summer in different cities.

SHOWS FOR THE INDUSTRY (ADMISSION BY CREDENTIALS ONLY)

 Quilt Market

International Quilt Market/Houston (1979-Present)

The International Quilt Market is the only wholesale trade show for the worldwide quilting, textile, and soft crafts industry. It features more than 800 vendor booths in fall offering quilting supplies, fabrics, decorative crafts, books, patterns, tools, sewing machines, and design software. Market features an extensive education program with Business Seminars. Plus features like Schoolhouse Series and Sample Spree. We also have a Spring edition (since 1981), which will return in 2025.

GREAT EXPECTATIONS CREATIVITY CENTER

In addition to its shows, Quilts, Inc. operates the Great Expectations Creativity Center and the Artist in Residence Program and Studio, both opened in summer 2005, on a large campus in Central Texas. The Center is also home to QuiltCamp®.

 

THE INTERNATIONAL QUILT FESTIVAL COLLECTION

Quilts, Inc. has a fine collection of antique and contemporary quilts, which has been featured in many articles, as well as in a book, Celebrate Great Quilts!