More than 700 quilts, a merchant mall stretching across 140 vendor booths, and an internationally known textile artist are converging on downtown Columbus this week as the American Quilter's Society brings its national QuiltWeek tour to Ohio's capital for the first time. The four-day event runs Wednesday through Saturday at the Greater Columbus Convention Center, bringing quilters, vendors, and shoppers to the convention center.
As myfox28columbus.com reports, the show will display almost 300 contest quilts alongside special exhibit quilts, part of a broader collection topping 700 pieces on the convention floor. Among the featured displays are quilts celebrating America's 250th anniversary, a theme also reflected in a traveling exhibit from the Quilts of Valor Foundation, which is showcasing 12 Semiquincentennial panel quilts created by artists nationwide to honor military veterans, according to the Quilts of Valor Foundation.
A Founding Rooted in Paducah
The American Quilter's Society was founded in 1984 in Paducah, Kentucky, by Meredith and Bill Schroeder to elevate quiltmaking into a recognized fine art form, launching its inaugural national competition show the following year, per Hoodline's earlier coverage of the organization's Grand Rapids QuiltWeek stop. That first 1985 show offered a $10,000 top prize at a time when most quilt competitions handed out only ribbons, and the organization has since awarded more than $7.9 million in total lifetime competition prize money across its national events, the same report notes. Paducah later earned UNESCO Creative City designation as Quilt City USA, cementing the small Kentucky town's outsized role in American fiber arts.
Top prize-winning quilts from AQS flagship competitions earn cash, while the National Quilt Museum in Paducah maintains a permanent collection, according to a resolution recorded by GovInfo. The resolution expressed that the museum should be designated the National Quilt Museum of the United States.
Fassett Headlines a Packed Workshop Schedule
The Columbus debut features Kaffe Fassett as a workshop participant, billed as an international designer, instructor, and author. Fassett made history in 1988 when he became the first living textile artist to receive a solo retrospective exhibition at London's Victoria and Albert Museum, according to BBC Maestro. His workshop is one of more than 70 expert-led sessions offered throughout the event, alongside daily lectures including lunch-and-learns and special programming such as a VIP tour, an all-star review, and a game night. Registration for AQS QuiltWeek workshops in Columbus, Ohio, closed by 4 p.m. on Monday, September 21, 2026.
Beyond the classroom, the merchant mall spans 140 vendor booths offering fabric, kits, supplies, and machines including longarms, giving shoppers access to a slice of what industry surveys from Craft Industry Alliance estimate is a $3.7 billion to $5 billion consumer quilting market in North America. Visitors can also bring their own heirlooms for walk-in appraisals from certified quilt appraisers on Thursday and Friday at the convention center.
A Big Venue for a Growing National Tour
The Greater Columbus Convention Center is the venue for QuiltWeek.
AQS has scheduled QuiltWeek stops in multiple cities, including Columbus, Ohio, in 2026.
Organizers direct attendees to americanquilter.com for full event details, or to the show's Facebook page at facebook.com/aqsonline. Those with questions can also call 1-800-626-5420 for information on tickets, workshops, and appraisal appointments.
