2017 Quilt Festival – Chicago, IL

Have you ever gone to a quilt show?  Have you ever entered a quilt anywhere for judging?  I have not, and I doubt I ever will feel qualified to do so.  I know that you do not need to be an expert to enter quilts for judging . . . but I will always be too critical of my own work to submit it for others to critique.

April 6 – 8, 2017 the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, IL will host the 2017 Quilt Festival (click for more information).  The festival offers classes all three days, along with exhibitors and booths featuring all aspects of quilting, sewing, machine appliqué and much more.  I would love to be able to take a few classes on long-arm quilting, and they offer many selections from beginning to more specialized.

They also offer areas called Open Studios.  “Ever wanted to see artists work in real time right before your eyes? Open Studios on aisles J&K is a structure with four individual studios in the categories “Embellish/Paint,” “Stitch/Sew,” “Quilt,” and “Knit/ Crochet/Etc.”  During show hours, four artists will be working simultaneously (two hours at a time) in each of the rooms, demonstrating their craft. Come by Open Studios on the show floor and be inspired by what these top-notch artists are doing!”

I thought the Open Studios sound like fun, and I am sure as they are demonstrating in each category they will also be interacting with their audience and answering questions if they are able to.  Thursday and Friday, these sessions run every two hours starting at 10:00 a.m. and end at 6:00 p.m.  Saturday they also start at 10:00 a.m. but the last demonstration ends at 4:00 p.m.  Their website gives more information regarding what is offered over the course of the entire festival.

Have I sparked your interest in attending a quilt festival?  Tickets are available online for $10 ($8 for seniors/students/military and under age 10 are free) or a 3-day pass for $25.  If you sign up for a class you do not need a daily ticket.  I think I may rope a few friends into attending with me, and will certainly report back on all the details!