Quilt Expo in Madison

Photo by Len Villano.

With hundreds of quilts on display, Quilt Expo is the ultimate adventure for quilt enthusiasts of all skill levels. The 14th annual event takes place Thursday through Saturday, Sept. 6-8, in the Exhibition Hall at the Alliant Energy Center in Madison.

The three-day event, presented by Wisconsin Public Television with Nancy Zieman Productions, invites all quilt lovers to learn, laugh and draw inspiration from each other. Dozens of educational lectures and sit & sew workshops, led by expert quilters, present the latest in creations and techniques.

Quilt Expo’s main attraction is the 10-category quilt contest exhibit, showcasing the incredible talents of quilters from across the country. Featured quilts range from traditional sizes and shapes to work by young quilters and innovative pictorial quilts. Attendees will find inspiration around every corner, with diverse ideas, designs, color combinations and fabric choices on display. In addition, attendees will be treated to a landscape quilt exhibit – inspired by both Nancy Zieman and Natalie Sewell’s incredible lives and legacies – and this year’s brand-new Bake Off Quilt Challenge exhibit, which spotlights quilts inspired by cakes, pies, cookies and other mouthwatering baked goods.

Hundreds of vendors at the extensive vendor mall offer the latest machines, kits, fabrics, threads, notions and more. Additional highlights include a raffle for fantastic quilt-related prizes, as well as a community service project – Quilt to Give – in which attendees donate their materials and skills to create bed-size quilts for those in need.

Visit quiltexpo.com for full details and to learn more about lectures, workshops, and evening events. Pre-registration is recommended and is available through Sept. 3.