A little account of my first visit to the annual West Country Quilt & Textile Show – I definitely give it a big thumbs up. The Show runs for three days every August and is held at the University of the West of England Conference Centre in Bristol. The Conference Centre has a large free car park and is easily reached from the motorway network. There is also a free shuttle bus service from nearby Bristol Parkway railway station.
The Show included: exhibitions of quilts and needlework in competition categories; galleries of quilts and textile art by local groups, national organisations and individuals; a program of workshops; as well as a good selection of traders. There were also two cafe areas serving hot drinks and light snacks along with plenty of seating space for those who had brought refreshments from home. All this on one level of the venue which has excellent overhead lighting showing all the displayed quilts and textiles to their very best.
The dates for the next show are Thursday 20th, Friday 21st and Saturday 22nd August 2020 🙂
Back to the 2019 Show: here are a very few of the inspiring and awe-inspiring quilts that were on display…


I was particularly struck by the quilting on this lovely design called Garden Pears by Christine Install.
There were several Bargello quilts displayed through the exhibition, the rainbow quilt by Karen Llewellyn-Parsons caught the judges’ eyes.
The West Country Quilt and Textile Show provides a great day out – especially, if like me, you have the company of a like-minded friend and a patient daughter! I particularly enjoyed walking around the spacious three-sided gallery spaces used by so many different quilt and textile groups. A great opportunity to chat with the makers and meet up with one or two Instagram buddies too 🙂
Allison