Quilt Shows by State
Quilt Shows in Illinois
Illinois doesn't host one of the major national quilt shows in our directory yet. See nearby states or browse the national calendar.
We don't currently track a major national or regional quilt show in Illinois. Quilters in Illinois commonly attend shows in neighboring states.
See the full 2026 national calendar →Quilting in Illinois
Illinois has its own quilting community, traditions, and shops. Illinois was the first state to ratify the 13th Amendment, abolishing slavery. For local quilters, the state's active guilds run annual or biennial shows that are smaller than the national circuit but often easier to attend.
Major shows Illinois quilters travel for
The largest quilt shows in the US worth a road trip from Illinois:
QuiltCon
Raleigh, NC · Feb 19
The premier modern quilting convention — bold solids, negative space, and the cutting edge of contemporary patchwork.
AQS QuiltWeek Paducah
Paducah, KY · Apr 22
The longest-running major quilt show in America — Paducah is the spiritual home of the AQS and a bucket-list trip for serious quilters.
Houston International Quilt Festival
Houston, TX · Nov 19
The largest quilt show in the world — 1,000+ vendor booths, thousands of quilts, 50,000+ attendees.
FAQ about Illinois quilt shows
What major quilt shows are in Illinois?+
Illinois doesn't currently host any of the major national or regional quilt shows in our directory. The state has its own quilt guilds and local shows — check your local quilt shop or guild for nearby events. Quilters in Illinois commonly travel to neighboring states for major shows.
Where is the closest major quilt show to Illinois?+
For quilters in Illinois, the closest major shows are typically QuiltCon (Raleigh, NC each February), AQS QuiltWeek Paducah (Kentucky in April), Houston International Quilt Festival (November), and the regional AQS shows. See the full national directory for distance and dates.
Are there quilt guilds in Illinois?+
Yes — Illinois has multiple quilting guilds. Browse our guild directory for a list of active Illinois guilds, including Modern Quilt Guild affiliates and local traditional guilds.
What about quilt shops in Illinois?+
See our Illinois quilt shops directory for a list of independent quilt shops in the state. Illinois also participates in regional shop hops — see our 2026 shop hop calendar for events affecting your region.