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.

The National Quilting Association is excited to welcome you to its 43rd Annual Show! As one of the largest non-juried national quilt shows, we are proud to be the longest running quilt exhibition in the country. Each year, we celebrate the creativity, talents and workmanship of all quilters. Whether you exhibit your quilt, take classes, attend the show, or all three, we’re thrilled to have you with us. If this is your first time to participate in the show, Welcome! If you’re returning to the show, Welcome Back!

We are honored to include more than 400 quilts from national and international quilters, Special Exhibits, classes and vendors in the 2012 Show. We are located in the C-pod of the Greater Columbus Convention Center. Convenient parking can be found nearby.

Joining this year’s special themed Mariner’s Compass exhibits are the 4th Annual Sew Batik Challenge Quilts. We will showcase a number of SpecialExhibits, including The Magical World of Mary Buvia, Fibervision – On Our Way, and the Klamath Basin Vistas. Our Special Exhibits will also include a sampling of NQA Challenge Chapter Quilts.

Once again, Rebecca Barker has created the artwork for our show poster, featuring a Mariner’s Compass and a sailing vessel in honor of our show’s theme. We are very excited to announce that our featured speaker for the Thursday Night Gathering is Paula Nadelstern. Paula will present Symmetry and Surprise; the Kaleidoscope as Design Inspiration. She defines Kaleidoscope Designs as “exploding with excitement; a kaleidoscope design organizes an abundance of color and shape into a complex, coherent and unique whole.” Paula’s slide lecture traces her evolving quilt series in which the multifaceted, luminous and random nature of a kaleidoscope is explored on a quilt’s flat surface.

Please join us for the Annual Meeting of the NationalQuilting Association at 12:00 P.M. To make the meeting accessible to everyone,it will be held on the showroom floor. You are NQA, and we want to hear from you.

As an organization, NQA promotes and celebrates the education, creativity and heritage of quilters and quilting. We invite you to join us by exhibiting your work, registering for classes and attending the show, and sharing in our heritage, our legacy, and our future. Join old friends and new as we all celebrate quilts and quilting. We hope to see you there!

Featuring…
150+ Judged Quilts

“The Supper Quilt” Special Exhibit

Hand Quilting Demonstrations

Little Quilt Silent Auctions every day, and the Grand Feature Live Auction at 1:15 p.m. on Saturday.

6 Classes and 2 Lectures

2 Dinners

Vendors

Boutique

Original Creative Festival announces the following world renowned teachers who will present classes and workshops at the 2012 festival to be held June 28-30 at the Sharonville Convention Center in Cincinnati, OH.

We are excited to show off you in our Heartstrings talent contest in June of 2012. Tie on your aprons and join us as we create "Cincinnati's got talent" Mommy and me style, where everyone is a winner creating memories that last a life time. This is not only a contest but a fashion show, a fashion show that includes mommy and me. Did you say you do not have a child to enter the contest with? Contest is open for Grandma's and child or even the child next door. Both adult and child will model together in our fashion show on Thursday, June 28 from 3 pm to 4 pm during the Original Creative Festival. For more information go to http://www.pcmexpo.com/2012-ApronContest.html.

SPONSORED BY: Janome and Sew-Ezy
 

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.

Pacific International Quilt Festival returns to Santa Clara, CA with a spectacular collection of over 800 quilts and works of wearable and textile art. This well-recognized and largest quilt show on the west coast, known to quilters as P.I.Q.F., is held at the Santa Clara Convention Center in the greater San Francisco Bay Area. Not only does this incredible event feature astounding works of quilt art, it also offers a wide array of workshops and lectures presented by world-renowned instructors. A 300 booth Merchants Mall can be found with the best in fabrics, notions, machines, wearable art and everything for the quilter, artist and home sewer.

Visitors to the show will view a magnificent competition of the finest quilts created by talented artists from across the globe. Fashionable entries from the Wearable Art Competition will also be on display.

In addition, this Festival also features over 60 workshops and lectures presented by our international teaching staff.

*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!