Photograph of International Quilt Festival Quilts, Inc. and International Quilt Festival Houston, Texas

“Why Quilts Matter: History, Art & Politics” on KET2 – Episode 8, “Quilt Nation: 20,000,000 and Counting”

Episode 8, “Quilt Nation: 20,000,000 and Counting,” premiers on KET2 on Monday, October 24, at 7PM EST.

Photograph of International Quilt Festival. Quilts, Inc. and International Quilt Festival Houston, Texas3,600,000,000 dollars per year! Who knew the quilting industry, which includes more than 20 million Americans, had such an economic impact. Quilting is alive and well, yet most people remain unaware of its size, diversity, and economic clout.

From the annual International Quilt Festival and Market in Houston, to the Annual Quilt Show and Contest, held in Paducah, Kentucky, these annual shows and events attract thousands. However, quilting is not just a U.S. sensation, it’s a worldwide phenomenon!

My first time in Houston was in 1983 when I was invited to have a small booth and to speak about the first state documentation project that began in Kentucky. I’ll never get over the crowds trying to push their way through the aisles from the first minute to the last.

The major players like Quilts Inc. and the American Quilters Society aren’t the only successful quilting promoters out there. From the Mancuso Brothers’ shows to shows produced by quilting guilds, large crowds attend events every year from the east coast to the west.

Do you have a favorite quilting show or event you never miss? Tell us your favorite quilt show story. Please join us for a discussion on Facebook!

– Shelly Zegart

 

โ†’ Find out more about Episode 8, “Quilt Nation: 20,000,000 and Counting!”

โ†’ Watch Episode 8 Preview

โ†’ Image Resource Guide for Episode 8

 

Image Credits:

Top, left: Photographs of International Quilt Festival.ย  Quilts, Inc. and International Quilt Festival Houston, Texas