Quilting is more than just a craft; it's an art form that allows individuals to express their creativity and create beautiful works of textile art. If you're a quilting enthusiast or interested in exploring the world of quilting, attending quilting events and shows in the UK can be an incredibly rewarding experience.
In this blog post, we'll take a closer look at some of the top quilting events and shows across the United Kingdom, highlighting the excitement, inspiration, and learning opportunities they offer to quilters of all levels. Many of these are also events that Fabrics Galore attend, so come along, feel the quilting fabrics up close and see exactly what we have to offer.
January
Quilters’ Fair, Fanham Maltings
The Quilters’ Fair is an annual one-day event that takes place at Farnham Maltings Arts and Cultural Centre in Surrey, in the south of England. This one day event attracts quilters from all over the country to showcase their work, attend workshops and lectures, and to shop the latest quilting supplies and fabrics.
Visitors to the fair can see beautiful and unique quilts, experience hands-on demonstrations, and shop for quilting supplies and fabrics from a variety of quilting vendors. For Fabrics Galore, this is the first event of the year and is always a lovely way to start the New Year.
2026 dates: Sunday 11th January 9.30am - 4pm
Fabrics Galore is exhibiting
Ardingly Quilting & Sewing Show
Another Fabrics Galore favourite, hot on the heels of Farnham Maltings, is The Quilt Festival at the Ardingly South of England Showground. Run by Grosvenor Shows, it is an excellent opportunity for quilters to participate in workshops, lectures, and demonstrations. Attendees can also see beautiful quilts on display and naturally, shop for fabrics, patterns, and other quilting supplies.
For this show we always make sure we have plenty fat quarter boxes and lots of great quilting cottons. With a friendly and welcoming atmosphere and excellent facilities, this event is suitable for quilters of all skill levels.
2026 dates: Thursday 29th January – Saturday 31st January
Fabrics Galore is exhibiting
February
Harrogate Quilting & Sewing Show
The Harrogate Quilting & Sewing Show is a new show on the calendar for Fabrics Galore, again run by Grosvenor Shows, this time at the Great Yorkshire Showground. Expect wonderful quilt displays, exhibitors of patchwork and quilting supplies, workshops and demonstrations.
2026 dates - Thursday 5th to Saturday 7th February
Fabrics Galore is exhibiting
Spring Quilting & Sewing Show, Newmarket
The Spring Quilting & Sewing Show (previously the Spring Quilt Festival) now takes place at Newmarket Racecourse, having relocated from Duxford last year. At this event, visitors can see stunning quilting works of art by well-known quilters and participate in workshops or attend demonstrations and lectures.
The venue is spacious and allows for an easy and enjoyable visit to view the quilts on display. Fabrics Galore will be loading up the van with all our best quilting fabrics for this one.
The show can be reached by car via the A11 and A14 and from the M11 and A1 / M1 respectively. SAT NAV postcode: CB8 0TF
2026 dates: Thursday 26th February – Saturday 28th February
Fabrics Galore is exhibiting
April
The British Quilt & Stitch Village
Located at Uttoxeter Racecourse in Staffordshire, the British Quilt & Stitch Village is an annual event bringing together quilting and stitching enthusiasts from across the UK to this easily accessible venue in the Midlands. Showcasing an array of quilts, textile art, and embroidery, this event celebrates various quilting styles and techniques. Workshops, talks, and demonstrations provide valuable learning opportunities, while the vendor stalls offer a chance to stock up on quilting supplies and materials.
2026 dates: Friday 24th – Sunday 26th April
May
Quilts UK, Malvern
Quilts UK is a popular quilting event that takes place at the beautiful Three Counties Showground in Malvern. The three-day event, run by Grosvenor Shows again, showcases an impressive range of quilts from traditional to modern styles, and of various sizes.
As well as being a competitive quilt show with entries at all levels of ability, it is also the perfect opportunity to shop for fabrics, thread, patterns, wodding and quilting supplies.
Facilities include free parking, disabled access and a restaurant. Malvern is located close to the M5 if you’re coming by car, otherwise train to Great Malvern. Fabrics Galore always exhibits at Quilts UK and we just love the stunning location at the foot of the Malvern Hills.
2026 dates: Thursday 14th – Sunday 17th May
Fabrics Galore is exhibiting
June
Spalding Quilting & Sewing Show
Spalding Quilting & Sewing Show in Lincolnshire will showcase quilt displays, with many patchwork and quilting suppliers exhibiting. Attendees can participate in workshops and demonstrations.
2026 dates - Friday 5th and Saturday 6th June
July/August
Lamport Hall Quilting & Sewing Show
Lamport Hall Quilting & Sewing Show in Lamport Northamptonshire will host a number of exhibitors selling patchwork & quilting supplies for all your needs and feature quilt displays from well-known quilters and textile artists.
2026 dates - Friday 17th to Sunday 19th July
The Festival of Quilts
The Festival of Quilts
The Festival of Quilts, launched in 2003 in partnership with The Quilters’ Guild, is now the largest quilting event in Europe, drawing thousands of enthusiasts and professionals each year. This multi-day event held at the NEC in Birmingham showcases stunning quilts from around the world, as well as numerous workshops, demonstrations, and masterclasses. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced quilter, attending the Festival of Quilts provides a wealth of inspiration and knowledge and a huge range of quilt fabrics to shop for.
2026 dates: Thursday 30th July - Sunday 2nd August
September
Newcastle Quilting & Sewing Show
The Newcastle Quilting & Sewing Show features quilt displays from well-known quilters and textile artists, exhibitors of patchwork and quilting supplies and workshops for ticket holders.
2026 dates: Thursday 11th September - Sunday 12th September
October & November
Autumn Quilting & Sewing Show
The Autumn Quilting & Sewing Show at the Three Counties Showground in Malvern is another popular quilting event that takes place at the Three Counties Showground, just like Quilts UK in May. It showcases a range of beautiful quilts, quilting supplies, patterns, and other resources.
Visitors can participate in workshops, demos and attend lectures to expand their knowledge and skillset. The event also provides opportunities for meeting like-minded people, networking and exchanging ideas, making it a quintessential autumn quilting event and a Fabrics Galore favourite for meeting our quilting customers, who we may not have seen since Spring.
Due to the timing of this show this is a great one for stocking up on Christmas fabrics ready for all your seasonal crafting ideas.
2026 dates: Friday 16th – Sunday 18th October
Fabrics Galore is exhibiting
Autumn Quilting & Sewing Show, Newmarket
The Autumn Quilting & Sewing Show at Newmarket is the Autumn version of the Spring event at Newmarket in February.
2026 dates: Thursday 5th - Saturday 7th November
The Knit & Stitch Show, Harrogate
Paul and the team at Knitting & Stitching Harrogate in 2018
Although primarily focused on knitting and stitching as the name suggests, The Knit and Stitch Show also offers a significant section dedicated to quilting. Held in cities like London, Harrogate, and Belfast, this event has grown over 30 years to include leading quilting suppliers, artists, and teachers.
Visitors can explore a wide range of quilting fabrics, attend workshops to enhance their skills, and discover the latest trends in fabric, patterns, and techniques. Fabrics Galore often attends the Harrogate event as boss, Paul has a particular fondness for Yorkshire!
2026 dates: 8th – 11th October, London, 12th – 15th November, Northern Ireland, Thursday 19th - Sunday 22nd November, Harrogate
Fabrics Galore is exhibiting at Harrogate
Regional Quilt Shows
Throughout the year, various regional quilt shows take place across the UK, showcasing local talent and providing a platform for quilters to share their work. These events, such as the Scottish Quilt Championships or the Welsh Quilt Centre exhibitions, offer a unique opportunity to appreciate the diversity of quilting styles within specific regions and gain insights into local traditions and techniques.
2026 dates: The Scottish Quilting Show, Glasgow, Thursday 5th – Saturday 7th March in Glasgow
UK Quilting Events all Year Long
The UK has such a great variety of quilting events, each offering a unique experience. Whether you attend for a day or the whole two or three-day duration, these events can expand your knowledge and skillset, inspire your creativity, and offer the chance to connect you with fellow quilting enthusiasts. Whether you prefer traditional quilting, modern designs, or are simply looking for inspiration, the UK quilting scene has something to captivate every quilting enthusiast.
Keep an eye on the dates and locations of these events, as they change slightly each year. Mark them on your calendar and prepare for an exciting trip into the vibrant world of quilting. We hope to see you at the events where Fabrics Galore will showcase our best quilting fabrics – as always, we will keep our socials updated to let our customers know where we will be exhibiting.
