VDTA/SDTA is the Association dedicated to supporting independent vacuum cleaner, sewing machine and quilting retailers around the world. Members are independent retailers, manufacturers and wholesalers. There are more than 14,000 independent vacuum cleaner and sewing machine retailers throughout North America. The Association was founded in 1981 as the Vacuum Dealers Trade Association by J.R. "Dick" Beall and Charles M. Dunham.

The Sewing and Stitchery Expo is the largest consumer sewing show in America. The 2012 dates are: March 1-4, 2012, at the Puyallup Fair & Events Center in Puyallup, Washington.

Joanne Ross, Expo Director, says, “SewExpo has something for every sewing enthusiast -- with more than 100 seminars daily, hands-on workshops, a variety of style shows, and 400+ booths exhibiting the latest fabrics, tools, and supplies. It's like planning a party for 30,000 of your best friends. We have guests from every State, Canada, Australia and Europe. Attendees all over the world plan their annual calendar around the Sewing & Stitchery Expo.”

There is a huge vendor floor, a non-stop roster of demos on the Free Stage, and professional models on the Expo Runway, presenting six different FREE style shows every day. In addition, there are daily hands-on classes where participants can learn a new technique and leave with a finished project.

Many people are drawn to Lancaster County for its Amish community, but soon discover and enjoy all the other things to see and do when they visit Pennsylvania Dutch Country, including the AQS Quilt Show & Contest!

March 14-17, 2012
Lancaster County Convention Center
3 E Vine St
Lancaster, PA 17602

Featuring superb quilt exhibits, world-class shopping opportunities, and a great mix of classes, special events, and tours, Festival is full of all-around fun!
But it’s about more than just quilting. At Festival, you’ll find plenty to see, do, and buy if you’re a fan of crafts, antiques, scrapbooking, rubber stamping, mixed-media, fiber, and paper arts, or just about anything creative!
All 2012 classes and events will be at the Duke Energy Convention Center.Tours depart from the front of the center.
So make plans now to join us in Cincinnati!

The first quilt show was held in the Greenbelt (Maryland) Public Library in September, 1970. Quilts were first hung to their full length at an NQA show when the location moved to the gymnasium at the Georgetown Visitation Preparatory School in Washington, D.C. From these humble beginnings come the NQA Shows of today, which have moved to different locations around the country for years. From east coast to west - Tacoma, WA and Riverside, CA - the show has traveled to quilters far and wide. A new page in NQA's history began with the relocation of the corporate office to Columbus, OH in 2004 and the settling of the show into that city for at least the next several years.

The NQA published its first newsletter, Patchwork Patter in 1973. From a hand collated and stapled mimeographed few pages, the Quilting Quarterly has progressed to a glossy full-color publication.

The NQA has always considered its first responsibility to be service to its members. Thus, many programs have been established over the years to aid the membership. The NQA has certification programs for quilt teachers and judges. A Master's Guild has been established to recognize outstanding quilting achievement. A Grant and Scholarship program was implemented to give monetary assistance to individuals or groups studying or researching the field of quiltmaking. The Education Program has many offerings for continuing education in the quilt world.

From the original seven founders of NQA, we now have a membership of about 5500 in the U.S. and abroad, with over 200 active chapters in 33 states. The annual shows average 400 entries with a steadily growing attendance exceeding 9000. From small beginnings, the NQA continues to grow and change to reflect the interests of its membership.

Shows for the public

International Quilt Festival/Houston (fall), founded in 1974
International Quilt Festival/Cincinnati (spring), founded in 2011
International Quilt Festival/Long Beach (summer), founded in 2008

Trade shows for quilting & soft crafts

International Quilt Market/Houston, founded in 1979
International Quilt Market/Spring, founded in 1981
(this show is held in different cities across the country)

Other programs
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™. Quilt Camp™ periodically offers an intensive weekend "short course" with well-known, popular quilting teachers.

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!

Big-city excitement and natural splendor. Cultural sophistication and small-town warmth. Grand Rapids offers the best of all worlds. Nearby hotels and abundant parking; it’s all here, including the newest major quilt show in America!

Next summer, August 22-25, 2012, the AQS Quilt Show & Contest will be held at the DeVos Place Convention Center in downtown Grand Rapids! This magnificent facility is pillar free giving us a wide open space to display hundreds of quilts and our merchant mall. The public is welcome to attend this show of fiber art at the DeVos Place Convention Center.

Eastern Washington State Fair held at the Walla Walla County Fairgrounds.Walla Walla Sew and Vac will be presenting a booth.

ESCAPE. CREATE. CELEBRATE.

Be part of the ultimate quilting adventure in Madison, one of the nation’s most popular cities and a great place to enjoy the beginnings of autumn in the Midwest. Located among beautiful lakes and parks, the city offers unparalleled shopping, dining and recreational opportunities, and the perfect getaway for quilting enthusiasts — Quilt Expo 2012, Sept. 6, 7, and 8.

Whether a seasoned quilter, a novice or just curious to learn more about quilting, all quilting buffs will thoroughly enjoy this opportunity to learn, laugh and draw inspiration from quilting masters who will share their ideas and expertise.

Presented by Wisconsin Public Television (WPT), producer of three highly acclaimed national quilt programs and Nancy Zieman Productions™, this new-age quilting forum is designed to capture and revitalize the creative quilting spirit.

Special classes instructed by these teachers:
Bernadette Griffith, Cindy Lohbeck, Kathy McMakin, Merrily Parker, Irena Bluhh, Pam Damour, Londa Rohlfing.

Make your plans now to attend the 2012 AQS Quilt Show at the Iowa Events Center in Des Moines, Iowa, October 3 – 6, 2012. We are excited to be using the newly renovated Veteran’s Memorial Auditorium with all new classrooms and ballrooms. The quilts and vendors will still be located in HyVee Hall.

This show is open to the public – and you’ll get to see more than 1,000 quilts, a huge Merchant Mall with new and antique quilts, the newest quiltmaking supplies, and jewelry and other gifts that are quilt related. Admission at the door is $11.

*Note - This is an industry trade show. Not open to the public.

Shows for the public

International Quilt Festival/Houston (fall), founded in 1974
International Quilt Festival/Cincinnati (spring), founded in 2011
International Quilt Festival/Long Beach (summer), founded in 2008

Trade shows for quilting & soft crafts

International Quilt Market/Houston, founded in 1979
International Quilt Market/Spring, founded in 1981
(this show is held in different cities across the country)

Other programs
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™. Quilt Camp™ periodically offers an intensive weekend "short course" with well-known, popular quilting teachers.

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!