Festival of Quilts 2025: My Favourite Finds, Winners & Quilty Wonders

Alison from Mokshatrim
Aug 3
4 min read

Last Thursday, I made my, nearly annual, pilgrimage to the Festival of Quilts at the NEC Birmingham.

You might be thinking, “Alison, you sell ribbons and trims — not quilts!”.

And you’d be right.

But it's the biggest Quilt show in Europe so there's plenty to see OTHER than quilts.

The Festival is a treasure trove for texture lovers, costume creators and anyone who gets joy from stitching something beautiful.

.... a way of keeping in touch with all things sewing and sharing the vibe.

.... a great place for inspiration.

So, if you’re wondering whether to attend the Festival of Quilts at NEC Birmingham next year, here’s a look at the quilts that made the 2025 show unforgettable.

Quilts That Stopped Me in My Tracks

I’ve got plenty of quilt-spam to share.

Every photo has a little story; whether it’s an unexpected colour combo, a clever bit of piecing, or just something that made me HAVE to capture the image.

I've left the WINNERS till the end.... hopefully you get that far.

First of all quilts aren't always flat!

Some are decidedly 3D.

And when you look closer the attention to detail is out of this world.....

Colorful sculpture of plant-like forms with pink and green stems, yellow tips in a patterned bowl on a clear table. Vibrant, artistic quilt. — Seed pod by Keta Jones - Quilt Creations - Judge’s Choice

A large, decorated backpack with various trinkets, buckles, and patches, including a rolled quilt, wooden hand, and brass horn against a white background. This is a quilt. — Baggage by Kate Crossley - Quilt Creations - Judge’s Choice

Detailed, decorated backpack with various small glass bottles, fabric patches, and brass elements, on a quilted surface. Neutral tones. This is a quilt. — Close up - Baggage by Kate Crossley - Quilt Creations - Judge’s Choice

For others it's ALL about the detail

The overall design may not be earth shattering.

It's all about when you look closer.

For example this quilt....

Denim collage quilt with a circular pattern made from various shades of blue jeans, featuring pockets and seams. Palette is blue and indigo. — Riveting restrictions from waste to wonder by Marja Matiisen - Sustainable Quilts - Judges Choice

A patchwork of frayed denim pockets and buttons in various shades of blue; visible text on a button reads "R&D." — Close up. Riveting restrictions from waste to wonder by Marja Matiisen - Sustainable Quilts - Judges Choice

... is made up of tiny sections of jeans with rivets and buttons.

And this quilt...

Colorful quilt with a grid of squares in various shades. Textured insects are scattered, creating a whimsical, vibrant mood. — Irene's Picnic by Anja Gebler - Art Quilts @anja_gebler

.... has these amazing beaded bugs, which give a whole new dimension, texture and whimsy.

Beaded fly design on a colorful quilted fabric with yellow, blue, and purple patches. Black embroidery stitches cover the quilt. — Close up detail of beaded bug . Irene's Picnic by Anja Gebler - Art Quilts @anja_gebler

For some it's about techniques or finishes that I'd never seen before

In this quilt I immediately noticed the contrasts and LOVED the way thread had been used like a pencil to sketch and shade the central picture.

Textured artwork quilt features abstract figures entwined, surrounded by a patchwork quilt of red and floral patterns on a pink fabric background. — Happy Together by Weiteng Niu - Contemporary

Red thread art with intricate, abstract web patterns against a white background, conveying a sense of complexity and depth. — Close up of thread work. Happy Together by Weiteng Niu - Contemporary

It was only on closer inspection that I noticed the photos.

Group of children in pink patterned fabric with floral and brick textures. Background features vibrant red and pink floral designs. Part of a quilt. — Close up of photos - Happy Together by Weiteng Niu - Contemporary

This quilt stood out as it was SOOOO MATT in finish. A complete contrast to any of the other quilts.

And the design is so striking more like stained glass.

I'm still not totally sure how it was achieved - I'm not a quilter!

Colorful abstract illustration of two intertwined fish amidst flowing, swirling patterns in blue, green, yellow, and pink hues. — Shall we dance? By Isobel Munoz - Pictorial Quilt

But a closer view showed something like matt velvet black borders and all the coloured areas were filled in with stitches in a similar thread colour.

Colorful abstract embroidery with swirling patterns in pink, green, yellow, and black threads. — Close up of stitching. Shall we dance? By Isobel Munoz - Pictorial Quilt

Some designs are a force of nature

I LOVED the use of colour, the slightly modern cartoon style and the female strength behind this design.

Colorful quilt depicting a person (Joan of Arc) in armor, holding a sword, with a halo-like circle behind. Purple background, expressive gaze. — Joan of Arc fierce and bold by Elizabeth Broadhurst and Caroline James - Two Person Quilts

A sense of whimsy and love of animals

Dancing cats and funny dogs, what's not to love, eh!

Made me smile.

The slightly dirty colours and simplicity just add to it.

Quilt with black-outlined animals: dogs and cats. Red borders on cream fabric. Text names on animals like "Wally." Whimsical pattern. — Happy Together by Weiteng Niu - Contemporary - Judges Choice

From painting to Quilt

This design conveys so much emotion and movement.

A woman wrapped in flowing, wind-swept fabric with a somber expression. Earthy tones dominate. Text "Boreas" on the quilted frame. — Wind from the North by Andrea Leah McVey - Pictorial Quilt

Abstract quilt art depicting a woman's face and flowing garments in muted browns, grays, and yellows, conveying a serene and contemplative mood. — Close up. Wind from the North by Andrea Leah McVey - Pictorial Quilt

I guessed it might be based on a real painting.

And I was right; Boreas by John William Waterhouse (1903) is a Pre-Raphaelite oil painting in neo classical style (apparently).

Boreas being the Greek God of the north wind.

A woman in a flowing gray shawl and blue dress stands in a windy field, looking contemplative. Trees and wildflowers fill the background. — The original oil painting inspiration - Boreas by John William Waterhouse (1903)

The juxtaposition of old and new

The taking a selfie focus of this quilt caught my attention but a also loved the faded and blurred background of the past.

Colorful quilt with vintage cartoon figures, a hand holding a smartphone, and fabric embellishments. The background is lively and playful. — Hush-a-bye by Eliza O'Connor - Art quilts

I'm a sucker for anything ethnic!

Isn't this kimono shaped quilt just GLORIOUS.

I loved the rich colours the central moon, the pieces of japanese material.

It also transforms as you go down the kimono into the blue.

It's called MAIKO. Maiko are apprentice geisha.

So in my mind THAT IS the evolution as they gain the required skills.

Patchwork quilt shaped like a kimono. Red and blue sections with swirling patterns and fan motifs. No text. Abstract, vibrant design. — MAIKO by AitchBee and Ellen Helen Howes - Two Person Quilts

Abstract quilt art with red, blue, and beige patterns. Swirls, geometric shapes, and contrasting colors create an intricate and dynamic design. — Closeup - MAIKO by AitchBee and Ellen Helen Howes - Two Person Quilts

So to the WINNERS

OK. So I have to confess. I wasn't blown away by the winners.

BUT there were two that bucked that trend.

WINNER - Quilt Creations

I mean they are incredible and their story is incredible!

Check out the maker wearing them and the story behind them in this Insta reel https://www.instagram.com/reel/DMwmXJsK0Zi/

Colourful feathered wings with a rainbow pattern on a white background, displaying vibrant hues from purple to red, creating a dynamic visual. — Wear Your Wings with Pride - Matt Wilding @mattwilding

WINNER - Pictorial Quilts

I was BLOWN AWAY by this quilt!

It was so incredibly lifelike and such a surprise compared to any of the other winners.

Just AMAZING. Should have been Best in Show.

Gorilla face art quilt on vibrant yellow, leaf-patterned background. Multicolored stitching gives texture, enhancing the expressive design. — She Matters by Sue de Vanny @suedev_artist01016

I'm not sure how but she made it look furry with the stitching.

Close-up of a textured quilt with intricate stitching, featuring abstract designs in purple, black, and red hues, creating a dynamic visual pattern. — Close up. She Matters by Sue de Vanny @suedev_artist01016

I hope you liked that quick trip through my highlights of this year's Festival of Quilts. It was certainly mighty busy!

The quilts might have been the stars of the show, but I came away buzzing with ideas for new trims, textures, and colour palettes.

If you’re planning a project and want to make it stand out, don’t forget — the right trim can turn good into unforgettable.

Head to mokshatrim.co.uk and have a browse. You might just find the perfect ribbon to finish off your next masterpiece!

As ever, Stay colourful!

Alison