It’s one of the most popular hobbies in the country, one with a warm, storied past and an even more blazing future on the cutting edge of contemporary art. And beginning this year, Midwesterners in Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana will get to see what quilting is all about at the debut of the spring edition of International Quilt Festival in Cincinnati!

“We are very excited to bring the show to the Queen City,” says Festival Founder and Director Karey Bresenhan, who also oversees other editions of Festival in Long Beach and Houston — the latter of which annually draws more than 60,000 attendees! “The area has always been rich with quilters and fabric artists, and a lot of them have never been to a show of this size before!”

International Quilt Festival/Cincinnati will take place April 8-10 at the Duke Energy Convention Center in Cincinnati, Ohio . Classes will begin April 7, and Preview Night will be held the same day from 5-9 p.m.

Quilting is big business! As reported in the most recent Quilting in America™ survey, there are more than 21 million quilters in the U.S. who spend nearly $3.6 billion annually on their passion. According to USA Today, that’s more than is laid out by hunting/gun enthusiasts, fishermen, and golfers combined.

But you don’t have to be a quilter—or even know how to thread a needle—to enjoy so much of what’s available at the show.

There will be almost 400 shopping booths offering antique and contemporary quilts and fabrics, patterns, notions, and books for the quilting and sewing enthusiast. Festival visitors will also find everything from antiques, crafts, and home décor items to clothing, jewelry, bags, and other accessories.

On display will be over 500 incredible quilts and other works of fabric art in 18 different special exhibits. These textile artworks run the gamut from antique time-honored patterns to cutting-edge contemporary fabric artistry.

Among this year’s exhibit highlights are “America Collects Quilts®: The Works of Susan Shie,” which feature the sometimes controversial artist’s unique works; “Baltimore Album Review II: Baltimore ‘s Daughters—Friends Stitch Past to Future,” an inspiring exhibit of quilts created in the Baltimore Album Style; and “Celebrate Spring! 2011,” a Judged Show in which the theme is the season of renewal.

This year, Festival’s Quiltmaking Academy will be host to more than 60 classes, luncheons, and special events with a faculty including some of the quilting world’s most well-known and respected teachers.

“There are always new ideas and techniques to be learned in the classroom, but you can also learn a lot just walking through the exhibits area and admiring the incredible artistry represented in the quilts on display,” Bresenhan adds. “Quilting has come a long way, and continues to evolve. If you haven’t seen the face of quilting lately, I’d encourage you to visit the show and see just what this remarkable artform is today!”

For more information about International Quilt Festival, please call 713-781-6864 or visit www.quilts.com. Show hours are 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Fri. & Sat. April 8 & 9, and 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Sun., April 10. Preview Night is 5-9 p.m. on Thurs., April 7, and admission allows one free additional day. Tickets are $10 regular daily, $8 students/seniors 65+, and $25 for a Full Show Pass. For more information or to purchase advance tickets online and print them at home, visit www.quilts.com

# # #

MEDIA ONLY

For more information, contact Bob Ruggiero, Director of Publications & Public Information, at pubs@quilts.com or 713-781-6864, ext. 116. You can also visit our Media Page for information and downloadable hi-res photos of quilts and activities at http://www.quilts.com/mediapage/sqf11/index.htm

###