You’re Invited to Quilt Expo in Madison WI
September 10–12, thousands of quilting enthusiasts will gather in Madison, WI to find inspiration, share new techniques, stock up on supplies and celebrate the joy of quilting. Now in its eleventh year, Quilt Expo continues to be the Midwest’s premier quilting destination. I invite you to join me at this year’s event!
It’s a Big Deal!
Here’s a sampling of the highlights of this year’s event. With over 200 educational lectures, sit & sew workshops, and hands-on workshops, there’s something for everyone. Plus you’ll find hundreds of quilts on display.
View the juried and judged quilt contest—over 300 amazing quilts
Vote for your choice of Best of Show
- 2014 Quilt Expo Best of Show—Once Upon a Time by Mary S. Buvia, Greenwood IN
Shop in the 85,000-square-foot vendor mall
Take a class from a nationally known celebrity presenter—here’s a small sampling:
- In Weeks Ringles’ class Details Matter, you’ll learn how quilting details can transform or ruin a quilt.
- Wendy Bulter Berns will teach a class, Capering with Creativity and Our Quilts, perfect for those of us who like to collect fabric.
- Laura Murray will take us on a journey to create the appearance of a complicated piecework quilt without sewing in her class, On the Edge of Thread.
Attend a stage presentations
- The stage presentations are included with your admission ticket.
- Our Kids’ Quilt Challenge, which is held on the stage, is a Saturday morning favorite.
Learn the fine-art of hand quilting
- Sign-up for hands-on workshops.
Choose from over 100 educational lectures
Dedicate time to attend a sit & sew workshop
- You’ll find a variety of offerings when you go to the Quilt Expo website. Sign up soon as these workshops quickly fill.
Sign-up for an evening event
- Thursday night, September 10, join Dr. Clarice Coswell as she presents, Pre-Civil War Quilts: Their Hidden Codes to the Freedom of Slaves Through The Underground Railroad.
- Friday night, watch a lighthearted presentation given by Dalen and Mitzie Keys, Quilting and Kids’ Books and the Magic of Story.
Participate in the Quilt to Give community service project
- Our goal is to make or collect 20 twin-sized quilts. Enchanted Makeovers and DAIS (Domestic Abuse Intervention Services) will be the recipients of the quilts.
- Click here to download instructions to sew an easy quilt. Consider making a quilt in advance and then donating it at Quilt Expo.
Get in Step!
Just like quilting, becoming heart healthy comes together one piece at a time. Join UW Health/ Go Red for Women and pick up a free pedometer to keep track of your steps while promoting healthy living.
Register Online
Three random winners will receive a pair of Quilt Expo Tickets. To be eligible, answer this question: What’s the first thing you’d do at Quilt Expo? (Getting a cup of coffee doesn’t count!) Winners will be announced on August 6.
Bye for now,
Sharon Kirby
The first thing I would do at the quilt show is run around like a kid in a candy store. Of course, it would be wonderful eye candy.
Marsha
Vendors, lunch, quilts, coffee break, then finish with vendors again. Been doing it this way for years. Love the expo!
Janice
Shop!
Linda Damsteegt
SHOP!
Kathleen Swinkowski
The first thing I would do is check favorite vendors and then look at the quilt exhibit.
Then after lunch walk up and down the aisles at all the vendors.
If I won, I would like to take a class.
LauraB in GA
Vendors! I just can’t resist shopping first. Then quilt displays.
Sandy Trachsel
I would slowly walk up and down each isle in awe. Thanks…!
Judy Graczyk
Always the vendors first, LOL. Then park my bags and take in all the lovely quilts!
Marsha Nater
I’ve never been to a quilt show before so I know I will be overwhelmed by the artistry and the new ideas that I will see. I will probably check out the vendors first and then check out the quilt display.
Jade
Shop the Nancy’s Notions booth!
Betty Harden
Vendors, and try to find Nancy. Would love to meet this lovely lady. Got fingers crossed.
Debbie Ferrin`
I would first look at all the beautiful handiwork that fellow quilters do with admiration! Then I would go to the vendors to see what my next project should be. If I won the contest, I would take a class.
Marjorie Williams
Tell my husband to make sure the trunk is empty when he picks me up at the end of the day for all my purchases!
Norma
The first thing I would want to do is see all the beautiful quilts I know will be on display. Next stop would be to see all the fabrics.
Barbara Hughes
The first thing I’d do if I was eligible to go to the Quilt Expo is to Thank God He made it possible for me to be in such a spectacular place.
Lori korpela
I have never been to a quilt expo before. I am a beginner so I would love to take some classes and shop for quilting supplies.
Irene Jones
First thing is the quilt show to get ideas and then vendors especially Nancy’s Notions. Have my idea of purchasing a large light box. Love the show. Saw you do the show on the quilted tents. Thanks for the opportunity. Irene
Cheryl
It depends on the stage shows. I plan to watch them and then look at quilts, then vendors. Also, sometimes its off to an early morning class!
Pamela Seigl
The first thing I would do is get a schedule and make plans on what I wanted it get in for the day. Also count the money in my wallet to see how much I have to spend!!!!!!
Barbara l. Gauldin
First thing I would do is give my donation of a quilt to DAIS. Then enjoy the quilts. Also would like to take a class or two. And of course look for the Nancy Zieman booth. If I should be so lucky.
JoD
Inspiration: Stay focused and tranquil and look at the quilt displays. Beautiful. Take pictures. Awesome winners. OK — back to ‘Inspiration”, now I’m ready to shop with new ideas. Now my brain is running wild!
Chrystina Power
First thing you do at a Quilt Show is…..stand in line to get in the door! Then you put on your inner child and soak up all the beautiful quilts and the multitude of vendors!
Debi
Shop till I drop. 🙂
Debi
Shop till I drop. 🙂 Where I live quilt shops are at least one hour away!
Rebecca Branch
I like to walk around and look at everything to see what I would like to check out later. What classes, what to buy and then look at all the quilts….
Joy
Learn something new and take a class
Pat
I have attended Quilt Expo for the last 5 years. The first thing I do is look at the quilt display. The quilts are amazing. It is such a wonderful thing to see. Then I shop!
Wilma Shimkus
I first check out Nancy’s booth to see what is new. Venders are always first as products disappear quickly. Quilts are last so I can take my time and really look at all of them.
Marybeth Wells
Heading first to see the quilts at the show. Enjoy the art in each one. Then I head for the booths to see new quilt tools and the fabric, books and ideas. Hands on projects when not too crowded. Thats about all for one day!
Thanks Beth Wells
Marit Hoff
I’d try to catch my breath! Imagine being surrounded by all of the beautiful quilts. I think I’d walk around and try to orient myself, then look for Nancy, then the vendors.
Elaine Kapalin
Check out the program and get my bearings before I enjoy the day with places to shop for my favorite things.
Marcia Dee
Absorb the joy from all of the color, beauty, chatter, then view and hopefully retain as much as possible.It would be an honor to be a part of such a beautiful event.
Carolyn
Head to Nancy’s Notions booth to see our friends & enjoy the specials
Brenda D
First thing I would do would be just to stand and try to take it all in!!! I have never been to anything like this and I think it would be awesome. Just started quilting (at age 71) and am really enjoying it. Would love to see all the sights, talk to the knowledgeable people, and shop at the vendors. I would be in a wonderful dream! If I won, I would bring my best friend, who is 74 and also just started quilting. It would all be awesome!!!
Kathy D
I attend the Expo for the first time last year and was like a kid in a candy shop. This year the first thing I will do is shop at the Nancy’s Notion area. And I’m really not sucking up to get free tickets – I just know that last year I kept going back to that area so I might just as well let myself shop (feast!) there first. It just feels like home there.
Carol Jacobson
I’d look over the program to find the location of Nancy’s booth. I’d visit hers first, then shop other booths before exploring the quilts.
Pamela Smith
I would just plan on enjoying the trip, the area, the beautiful quilts, the shopping and the chance that I might get to see Nancy! Thanks for all you do.
Judie Peterson
I’d head right for the vendor area!!~ All the fabric and other notions (all in one place) are irresistable!
SANDRA LUCK
I would just walk around and enjoy all that I could take in. And, of course, meet Miss Nancy!!
mitzi weber
I don’t know what I would do first. I have never been to a quilt show before. Guess you could call me a “newbie”. Can’t wait to go !
Cindy Teta
The first thing I would do is view the show quilts!
Peggy
I’ve never been to the expo and I think it would be so exciting to see all the quilts and visit the vendors and maybe get some ideas on improving my quilting. I’m a newbee but very excited.
Helen
Check out the vendors and then look at the schedule and see how to best use my time. I’ve never been to this Expo and would be thrilled beyond words to attend.
Joni S.
I would check out the quilts on display to be inspired and enjoy the artworks painted with thread.
Shirley Grassle
I love to stand at the entrance and just look and soak in all the color and creativity. After looking at each quilt in a row ,I enjoy looking down the row to see so much energy and hope in the quilts there.
Sue
First thing is change my shoes and go get the pedometer,,then off to look at the quilts!!
Eliz
I would check all the quilts on display. I am always so amazed with the different interpretations of the quilters.
Barbara Trost
I would find a good spot for my husband, where he has something to do or look at and I can keep checking in with him
beth
I would probably take as make educational lectures as I can, also look at the vendors booths.
kathy
I would head to the shops to see what is new.
Sherril Harris
I have been attending Quilt Expo every year for the past 5 years. I usually have a lecture to attend right away in the morning. The lectures are so informative & always give me new ideas. Then it’s off to the show. I start at one end of the showroom floor & I don’t go home until I’ve seen it all. This is really one of the best quilt shows around! I wouldn’t miss it!
Janet Gordon
I’d head for Nancy’s display to see all the new things.
martha youstra
The first thing I would be waiting for the doors to open, with bag in hand. I would be so excited, especially if I were to meet Nancy Zieman.
Shirley Covert
I would immediatly go to the vendor area to see everything that is new. I love anything that is new and inovative.
Jo Ellen Jongkind
Look at the quilts.
Sheryl Andrews
I would look at all the quilts! Not that I would need inspiration to shop, but it would give me ideas of what kind of shopping I might want to do!
Leslyn
1st stop is Nancy’s Notions for great deals on pre-cuts. This event is something I look forward to all year!
Suzanne
First thing I’d do is look for new notions and new kits.
Joy Newcomer
Before I read any of the above entries, my first thought was to go find Nancy Z. Now that I have read a few, I guess I am not the only one that would seek her out first of all. I want to tell her thank you for all the wonderful years of watching her show and learning so much about sewing and quilting. I would love to meet her in person and stop by her booth to see her products in person…to touch and feel. Then, I would go enjoy the rest of the show.
Jane Bailey
I would be there when the doors open up and head straight to Nancy’s Notions both. Look and buy new things. Wish Nancy well if I saw her. Then I would head to the beautiful quilts on display. Possibly take a class.
Amelia McNairy
Sign-up for educational lectures and stage presentations and celebrity classes.
Linda Brngal
First thing I would do when the doors open is head for the shopping area to check out what’s new, then I would head for my first class.
Nancy Bullian
The first thing I always do at the quilt show is buy my baby
sister a new PBS Tee Shirt. I’m shopping with both my sisters
this year and can hardly wait. Of course I am always on the
lookout for Nancy Z. I am so grateful to her for all the ways
she had helped women over the years. Bless you Nancy!
Caroline S
I shop, shop, shop!
Carrie
Go Shopping!
Bernadine
I would plot my course and then go get inspired, first to the exhibit then to the vendors.
Hilary Frye
First thing I would do is stop to admire the rubber ducky car in the parking lot on the way in. It always makes me smile. Lol! Then I would admire the special exhibit quilts on display in the entry hallway. So much eye candy!
Joanne Bibik
If I got to attend the Quilt Show, I would love to see some of the traditional quilts. No matter how long I quilt, I love to see the patterns we have all grown to know and love, but using more modern fabrics. It always fills me with creative juices, and prepares me for my next big project.
Vicky gjerde
The first thing I love to do is grab my honey (hubby) who always attends with me, look to get my picture taken with Nancy and chat with her. I admire her and the wonderful show she sponsors, the Quilt Show. You are the best Nancy!!! Thanks for everything. PS. of course i love the quilts and the vendors!!!! Well woth the 5 hour drive.
Jacquelyn Holmes
Sign up for the hand quilting classes! I love doing things by hand!!
Barbara Lotthammer
Check out the fabulous quilts then go the vendors to get the latest new gadget. When I ca’t walk anymore take in the lectures
Joann
First thing I would do at the expo is to visit the vendor booths and then look at the wonderful quilts – getting ideas for a future project.
Anne
Start shopping!
Lorij
First off I’d get a bulletin of all the exhibits. Then take time to plan my classes, viewing and shopping so I can make the best use of this wonderful opportunity. I’ve never been to the expo but have wanted to go for years.
Susan Putman
My first thing is to go see the quilts. There is so much to do at the Expo, I have to prioritize my viewings and then venture on to the vendors booths once I have been inspired.
Pat
The first thing I do at Quilt Expo is look for Nancy Zieman. Then its off to the juried quilt display.