One of our favorite events of the summer, year after year, is the Festival of Quilts in Birmingham, UK. It’s our chance to reconnect with industry partners, shop owners, and designers. But it’s also so much more than that; experiencing the Festival of Quilts is a multi-layered adventure. From exploring the vibrant vending hall, where every corner bursts with colors and patterns, to attending enlightening lectures and hands-on workshops that ignite our creativity, the festival offers an immersive experience like no other. We cherish these moments, not just for the professional connections we make, but for the joy of reuniting with old friends and meeting new ones who share our passion for quilting. Each visit to the festival enriches our love for this art form and renews our inspiration, making it an unmissable highlight of our summer.
Aurifil Stand Highlights
There is always something truly magical about our Aurifil stand at the Festival of Quilts. It becomes a buzzing hub, a meet-up point for designers, Artisans, and customers, where the atmosphere is electric. This year, we hosted an extraordinary lineup of Aurifil Designers and proudly launched Sheena Norquay’s new Hydrangea collection. We showcased some of our favorite threads, held an exciting show giveaway, and facilitated Aurifil Designer, Sarah Ashford’s first fabric stamp swap, which completely filled the aisle around our stand. The contagious enthusiasm was palpable, and we loved meeting and chatting about threads with each and every one of you. It’s moments like these that make the Festival of Quilts so special for us.
There was one familiar face at the Aurifil Stand that you may have seen if you visited this year, and that would be the wonderful Sheena Norquay, one of our beloved designers. Sheena worked tirelessly, rarely stepping away from the stand, as her passion for quilting and Aurifil Threads shone through in every conversation she had with visitors. Sheena is one of our all-time thread heroes, incredibly talented and constantly seeking new ways to showcase Aurifil threads with her exceptional skill.
This year, Sheena was proudly presenting her new thread collection, Hydrangea. She brought over ten exquisite pieces of work, each beautifully crafted with threads from her new collection, creating a stunning exhibit at the back of our stand. The intricate details and vibrant colors of her work captivated everyone who passed by. Her dedication and creativity were truly inspiring, making her presence at the stand a highlight of the festival. Sheena’s infectious enthusiasm and unparalleled artistry left a lasting impression on all who had the pleasure of meeting her.
Meet and Greets
It’s the people who make these shows truly special, and we are incredibly fortunate to work with some of the best. What makes it even more of a dream is getting to hang out with them during our meet and greets at the Aurifil Stand! This year, we were thrilled to have Nicholas Ball stop by to discuss his stunning Viral Temperature quilt, which proudly hung in the chill-out area of our stand. This quilt drew immense attention each day, and it was wonderful to have Nicholas in person, explaining the meaning behind each element of this multifaceted masterpiece.
The quilt also graces the cover of Nicholas’s Aurifil Thread collection and his brand-new book, “Use & Ornament.” A must-have for any avid quilter, it is not only beautifully written but also a gorgeously presented addition to any quilter’s collection.
We feel incredibly fortunate to have squeezed in a bit of time with Jo Avery at the Aurifil Stand. Despite her back-to-back classes throughout most of the show, she graciously made a stop by our booth. Jo has a magical way of drawing a crowd; she takes a seat, gets comfy, and does what she does best—sews. Last year, Jo launched her Aurifil Thread collection, Dream Flowers, to accompany her beautiful Dream Flower designs. Since then, her patterns has blossomed and evolved to include Dream Birds and now even Dream Fish! (Be sure to check out Jo’s Instagram for more sneak peeks!) Jo’s creativity and passion continue to inspire us, and we are always thrilled to have her share her incredible talent with everyone at the show.
And let’s not forget our incredible team of Aurifil Artisans. Our time together was truly magical. Meeting in person and feeling the creative energy bounce between everyone is pure joy, and forging those connections is priceless. Our Artisan Zeiba Monod brought along her stunning Honeycomb Quilt, which she is hand-quilting entirely with Aurifloss. Kimberley Arnold showcased the best quilted bag, and Suzanne Campion was hard at work at the Liberty stand, teaching EPP using Aurifil 80wt. It was a vibrant and inspiring gathering that highlighted the immense talent within our community.
Aurifil Designer Clive Bruder also stopped by the stand, and we filmed an impromptu video discussing his thread collection! You can catch up with this and more in our FOQ highlights on our Instagram page. An added bonus was when Clive spotted the Community Stitch Project hanging in our stand, a collaboration with Stitch School. Every embroidered detail was crafted by a community member across various shows. Clive found the “We Sew Too” addition he had contributed last year! It was a beautiful demonstration of the power of community combined with the craft of sewing.
Fabric Stamp Swap!
In the weeks leading up to the Festival of Quilts, our Aurifil Designer Sarah Ashford came up with an incredibly creative idea: swapping Fabric Stamps! While we’ve seen pin badges, stickers, and even bracelets being swapped at previous shows, fabric stamps were a delightful first. The turnout exceeded all expectations—Sarah has definitely started a new craze! The aisles were packed with curious visitors from nearby stands, eager to see what we had initiated. We can’t wait to see where Sarah takes this fantastic idea next!
Quilts featuring Aurifil
In the weeks leading up to The Festival of Quilts, we reached out to our dedicated community, inviting those whose quilts, crafted with Aurifil thread, adorned the event’s halls. The overwhelming response showcased a plethora of quilts intricately made with our threads. We’re excited to embark on a virtual journey through The Festival of Quilt, enabling those at home to savor the intricate details and craftsmanship showcased at the event.
Winning Quilts
Excellence in Machine Quilting Overlay 1st Prize & Contemporary 3rd Prize
Blooming Mandala by Helen Creasey, @and_sew_i; A self-imposed challenge. Drafting my own graphic symbol of self-improvement with signature use of bold colours & progression. The pieced compound & reverse curves, plus precise repetition, pushed me to develop my skills. FMQ referencing blooms and the shaped periphery adds interest and complexity. Aurifil Thread used: 28wt, 40wt and 50wt in 16 different colors!
Modern Quilts, 1st Prize
Satsuma by Kate Sandford, @katemustsew: I was gifted a bin bag full of yellow scraps. Inspired by other peoples fabric including the fabulous satsuma orange donated at my MQG, I improvised a quilt top. Quilted on my tiny domestic Bernina 330. Aurifil Thread used: 50wt and 28wt for walking foot and fmq quilting and piecing.
Young Quilter / Embroiderer 14-18, 1st Prize
The Beginning by Genesis Hall, @gennyfromthequiltblock: Let this message empower and encourage you (yes, you!) because the beauty of creating is to just simply begin. Genesis: the endless possibilities of beginning. Aurifil Thread used: Quilting- 50 wt, FMQ applique- 50 wt, binding- floss
Sustainable Quilts
Beech canopy by Jo Avery, @joaverystitch: The low contrast improv pieced background has hand stitched leaves added after quilting and depicts the view seen when looking up through the canopy of a beech tree on a summers day. A hand quilted vein was added to each leaf to finish. What makes the quilt sustainable: The background is made entirely from pre-loved textiles (clothes, bed linen, etc.) with leaves made from my scrap bag and recycled polyester wadding. Aurifil Thread used: 50wt, 80wt, 12wt wool, 8wt
On My Way by Kate Summers, @two4joy.luck: After many ideas in my head whilst commuting on the London transport system I have stitched them out in repurposed textiles and embroidery thread to present it all in soft form as a quilt. Aurifil Thread used: 50wt for machine piecing
Contemporary Quilts
Ruby Curvelets by Fiona Johnstone, @spunstraw: This ended up a sort of sampler quilt as I explored what I could do with hand pieced shapes based on a 1″ quarter circle. It is laid out in order of when the blocks were constructed from top left to bottom right and shows the progression of skill and complexity. Ask a steward to see the back! Aurifil Thread used: Entirely pieced with various colours of 50wt
A patchwork flying circus by Tracy Aplin, @Sewing_tracy: The main Circus blocks are my design, created by piecing lots of scraps to produce a fabric . Then re cut to make new fabrics! So no waste. The geese kept flying in and more and more were added, all hand sewn too. A few drunken path circles added to the mix to make a full on fun quilt. Aurifil Thread used: Piecing. 50wt and some 12wt for the quilting
Long Beach by Christopher English, @afullenglish: I love finding and mixing textiles together in my quilts. I often wonder how this flag ended up in Huddersfield.
Kizuna by Jeanette Gustafson, @nettymade2024: I was inspired by the fabric range , “Meditations on Japan”, designed by Lucy Picksley from Sew Pretty Sew Mindful & by the story and ethos behind the designs. My quilt design is my interpretation of the enduring friendship bonds built during 2024 and was so named “Kizuno meaning” “enduring bonds” Aurifil Thread used: 50wt 2835, 2846, 4662 & 2437
The Space Between Us by Kate Sandford, @katemustsew: I wanted to explore creating visual depth using colour effect. Creating different planes. I wanted to give the illusion of the squares floating in front of the tiny fabric elements. There are four of us in our family, the quilt it reminds me of how we all need our personal space, and boundaries. Aurifil Thread used: 50wt 28wt for piecing, and quilting.
Modern Quilts
Koi Pond by Cait Moreton-Lisle, @CaitLisleDesigns: Koi Pond uses stark white circles contrasting with shades of blue to evoke the image of the ripples created by fish feeding from the surface of a pond. The accented corners of the binding suggest the reflection of sunshine on a cloudless day. Aurifil Thread used: Pieced with 50wt, quilted with 40 and 12wt
Break Away by Lou Orth, @louorthdesigns: Break Away is a celebration of the Half Square Triangle. The HST block is often used, but I wanted to make it the central focus. The bold contrast of the solids and play with negative space highlights the beauty of the HST and invites the viewer to appreciate the shapes and the spaces they create. Aurifil Thread used: 2600 50wt for piecing and quilting.
Room 1 (chair, vase, table) by Kate Sandford, @katemustsew: I love; a hard line, three dimensional objects in space, the “shadowline” quilting creates, (its like drawing with light and shade). This is my first large quilt exploring the play of 2d/3d and multiple points of view, its a cross between a page from the World of Interiors and a cubist collage. Aurifil Thread used: Aurifil 2600 80wt.
Unconditional Love by Collette Ramage, @colletteramage: This quilt represents the unconditional love between people and how we are interwinded. The red tones in the main design were used to represent the blood that flows through us and connects us forming the unbreakable bonds of unconditional love. Aurifil Threads used: 50wt chalk and multiple reds
Raindrops of Hope by Collette Ramage, @colletteramage: This quilt was made for myself and my husband and each raindrop represents a hope for our marriage. Linen was used on the reverse of the quilt for softness and is intended to be reversed. Aurifil Threads used: 50wt including varigated.
Blossoming by Paula Steel, @paulasteel.quilts: Inspired by the many petal layers of a flower I wanted to create a quilt where your eye is drawn through the layers. The quilt is constructed as a traditional medallion however, each ‘round’ of blocks also influences the round next to it, giving a sense of depth, colour progression and overlapping.
Colour Happy by Paula Steel, @paulasteel.quilts: Happy is inspired by the colour palette of my favourite pair of trainers. I designed an original breakdown of a large drunkards path block to create the sweeping curves. I am a colour ‘magpie’ and the face design represents the joy I feel when seeing a colour palette that speaks to me.
Traditional Quilts
Oh My Gosh by Liz Merckel, @yorkshirequilter: Bonnie Hunter says “If it’s ugly, cut it up, if it’s still ugly cut it smaller!” There are some beautiful fabrics in his quilt as well as some horrors! There are 14531 pieces in this quilt with many just 1/2″ square. Aurifil Thread used: 2600 50wt (miles and miles of it!)
Straits of Mackinac by Liz Merckel, @yorkshirequilter: I sort my scraps by colour – the neutral and blue boxes saw some action in making this quilt! I love how the clever placement of triangles and squares make interlocking circles. I included some of my hand screen printed fabric – can you spot the houses? Aurifil Thread used: 50wt colour 2600
Quilt Creations
Wings of Pride by Matt Wilding @mattwilding: The wings are both a celebration of pride but can also be used to protect and comfort. On the front are the colours of the progressive Pride flag. The back is all gold fabric with the thread in pride colours. The front and back were quilted separately and then hand stitched together. Aurifil Thread used: Proud & About by Henrik Muller 50wt collection among others!
Memories3 by Keren Baker, @craftstampink: This piece is reflective of different memory themes. I wanted to add poppies remembering those from our armed forces who gave their lives. The blue background is representing those living with dementia. The third is in memory of a dear friend who died whilst I was creating this quilt. Aurifil Thread used: 50wt 1148
Salvedge by Stacey Turner, @craftylilmouse: This chair combines my love for quilting, salvaging old furniture and reading with my aversion to waste. I have brought this abandoned chair back to life by featuring the often-discarded fabric selvedges with the quilted upholstery, creating a vibrant piece and a comfy place to enjoy my books. Aurifil Threads used: 50wt in 38 shades
Two Person Quilts
Coming Home by Sara Fernandez, @rosehillquilts: Aurifil Thread used: 50wt for piecing
Group Quilts
(Zen)Tangled Bobbins by Golden Bobbins: The quilt’s inspiration is drawn from the Zentangle method of image creation. These images are abstract and spontaneous, capturing the essence of modern quilting. Each group member contributed by designing and creating three blocks. The effect was completed with couched piping.
#TEAMBEARPAW24 organised by Chris English, @afullenglish: #TEAMBEARPAW24 was inspired by a desire to see if a group quilt could be created via Instagram and encourage people to enter the festival.
Art Quilts
Poor Unfortunate Souls by Kerry Keeble, @thatssewkerry: This quilt is the result of a doodle session, while watching The Little Mermaid. It started as practice for a Graffiti Quilting class that turned into a lesson about pattern and design. Inspired by the colours in the film and sea life in general, I used a variety of 40wt and 50wt Aurifil threads. Aurifil Threads used: Variety of colours in 40wt and 50wt
Miniature Quilts
Balloon Dog by Nicola Knott, @vogonverse: My ‘Balloon Dog’ was inspired by Jeff Koons’ iconic sculptures. I hope that I have captured his joyful spirit through foundation paper piecing and that you will be transported back to a childhood of wonderment and delight. More importantly, I hope that you will smile! Aurifil Thread used: 2026
Tetracheilostoma Breuili by Fiona Johnstone, @spunstraw: This quilt is made up of hand pieced 1/2″ and 1/4″ quarter circles in a snake trail motif. Every curve is hand pieced then the blocks were assembled by machine. I’ve named it after the 2nd smallest snake in the world in case I discover one day that I can do even smaller quarter circles! Aurifil Threads used: Pieces with 50wt 2630, quilted with 40wt 1130.
For the Joy of Sharing Quilts
Mobius Radial by Carolyn Kendrick, @carolynjgk: After last year’s inspiring Festival I decided to make this. The foundation piecing was straightforward, insetting the centre and arcs was tricky but went smoothly with lots of pins. I wanted to enter it in the Modern (judged) category, but it’s too small. I love it and want to show it off here. Aurifil Threads used: 50 wt 2600 for piecing, 2625 for quilting
We hope you’ve savored your digital journey through these stunning quilts. If any have caught your eye, be sure to click through for more details about the creators and share your top pick in the comments below. Happy quilting!
** Shared with the knowledge that there are far more quilts than shown that used Aurifil threads. If we missed you this time around, be sure to keep tagging us to let us know what you’ve used so we have the opportunity to celebrate your work.
I wish you’d posted the names of the designers of the two quilts made by Liz Merckel. “Omigosh” was designed by the late Sue Garman, and “Straits of Mackinac” by Bonnie Hunter. She did a beautiful job making them, but did not design them.
The fabric stamp swap? Are they literally stamps for use on fabric? The pics didn’t look like it. Silly me but more info please?!