Is it Quilt Festival time yet? 🎉
My bag is packed, my shoes are ready, and yes, my heart is overflowing with excitement.
Every fall, thousands of quilters flock to the Houston International Quilt Festival. If you’ve ever wondered what all the buzz is about, I’ve got you covered.
I’ve been attending this show for years, and let me tell you, it is such a joy for me every year!
Whether you’re planning your first trip or just curious about the magic, here’s your inside scoop on what to expect at a quilt show, survival tips, and all the new features coming this year.
What Is the Houston Quilt Festival?
The International Quilt Festival is like Disneyland for quilters. It’s part museum, part shopping spree, and part hands-on classroom. Imagine:
- World-class quilt exhibits that will leave you speechless.
- Incredible classes taught by top quilting instructors.
- Shopping galore with vendors you won’t find anywhere else.
This year, the festival is introducing the Stitch Lounge! It’s a cozy hangout for knitters, weavers, embroiderers, and all fiber lovers. It’s the perfect place to connect, especially if you’re coming solo.
Why You Should Go (Even if You’re Not a Quilter)
Trust me, even non-quilters walk away inspired. Between the jaw-dropping quilts, the energy of the crowd, and the creativity everywhere you look, it’s an unforgettable experience. Plus, there’s fashion, fiber art, sculpture, and the best people-watching you’ll ever find.
Maximizing Your Quilting Joy
This year is extra special because I’ll be stepping on stage as a festival lecturer! I’m honored to be speaking on one of my very favorite topics: Maximizing Your Quilting Joy.
If you’ve ever felt stuck in a rut, overwhelmed by unfinished projects, or just need a spark of inspiration, this lecture is for you. My goal is to help you rediscover why you fell in love with quilting in the first place, and give you practical tips to bring more joy into every stitch.
✨ But that’s not all! On Thursday afternoon from 2–4 p.m., I’ll also be in the Open Studios area demoing a fun project. Think fabric, thread, plenty of laughs, and yes… probably a little caffeine to keep me going!
Please come by, say hello, grab a hug, and let’s talk quilts. I may even have some fun goodies to share with you. Nothing makes me happier than meeting my online community in person!
Tips for Attending the Quilt Festival in Houston
Here are my top three tips for making the most of your trip:
- Plan your parking. Downtown Houston can be tricky. The closest lots fill up quickly, so arrive early or map out alternatives.
- Take a look at the rules before you go. There aren’t a ton of rules, but knowing what is and isn’t allowed will make your time less stressful and more enjoyable!
- Wear comfy shoes and layers. Think “all-day Disney trip.” This is not the time for brand-new sneakers.
- Say hi! If you see me at the festival, come say hi. I would love to meet you in person, talk quilting, and share some hugs!
- Grab a map! They always provide a map and a big list of participating vendors so you can easily go to the ones you really don’t want to miss.
Christen’s Quilt Festival Survival Kit
Want to know what I always carry in my bag? Here’s my tried-and-true quilt show packing list:
- 🍇 Snacks (candy or grapes for quick energy)
- 💄 Chapstick (convention centers = super dry!)
- 💳 Lightweight wallet with just the essentials
- 💧 Water bottle (hydration is key)
- ✍️ Pen and notebook or a printable show planner
- 🎒 Backpack or shoulder bag (rolling suitcases aren’t allowed on the show floor)
Tickets & Planning Ahead
Avoid long lines by buying your ticket online before you go. Just print it out, scan it at the door, and you’re in. You can also check out class schedules, vendor lists, and festival hours on the official website.
Quilt Festival Tips from the Quilting Community
One of my favorite parts of sharing about quilt shows is hearing your best tips!
When I posted my video about the Houston Quilt Festival, so many of you chimed in with smart, tried-and-true advice. Here are a few of my favorites:
- bookreader8655 said: “(1) The lines for the food vendors are long, but they move really fast. The tables are large, so feel free to join other quilters at a table and make new friends.(2) BEFORE I go: I look at my quilting project boxes and make a list of what I NEED. I even take pictures on my phone to take with me. THEN I think of what I would like to do in the FUTURE and make a list of what those future projects would need. THEN I download a vendor list and mark my MUST SEE booths. WHEN I GET THERE, I do a sweep of the vendor floor using the booth map and mark GO BACK TO’s and WHY. THEN I sit down, think, and make my purchase decisions. If I don’t, I’ll do a lot of impulse shopping, blow my budget, and forget to buy the things I needed. AND just as Christen said, take a notepad and pen. The Open Studios are amazing. I learned so much. I wish I could go every day and just sit in on sessions all day every day. Many of the sessions are led by instructors who teach classes at the festival. It’s not hands-on, but they cover a lot of the same material — for free!”
- donnadresch7996 said: “I’m taking the Houston Metro Park and Ride for the first time. No stress over Houston driving and outrageous parking fees. It’s free for seniors with the card.”
- TheCussinQuilter said: “Don’t even try to drive and park. Just take an Uber and get dropped off and picked up in front. There are a lot of them available during the festival. Take your time and stay more than 1 day if you can.”
I love how generous quilters are with sharing their wisdom. If you’ve got a tip that has saved you at a quilt show, drop it in the comments below. I’d love to add it to this list for future festival-goers!
While you are waiting for this year’s fun, go take a look at my slideshow video of the last year’s festival.
The 50th anniversary of the International Quilt Festival was bigger and more inspiring than ever, with over 1,200 breathtaking quilts, more than 600 vendor booths, and workshops that brought together over 35,000 quilters from across the globe. I took you on an exclusive quilt tour through the festival and showed as much detail of the quilts as I could manage! The video inspires me to spend some time sewing every time I think about it!
See You at Quilt Festival!
The Houston Quilt Festival is more than an event! It’s an experience filled with creativity, community, and a whole lot of fabric shopping. Whether it’s your first time or your fifteenth, I promise you’ll walk away with new ideas, new friends, and maybe a few extra bags of fabric (no judgment here!).
I’ll be sharing sneak peeks and highlights from my lecture right here on the blog and on YouTube… so stay tuned. And if you’ve ever been to the International Quilt Festival in Houston, tell me in the comments! I’d love to hear your favorite part.
Until then… pack those comfy shoes, bring your quilting spirit, and get ready for a weekend of pure joy. I know I am!
