UPDATED 4:34 p.m. July 20
No quick stitch could save this. One of the latest victims of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, the 46th International Quilt Festival in Houston, slated for October 29 through November 1, has been cancelled. Instead, the annual quilting extravaganza, which draws tens of thousands of quilters from more than 35 countries to the Bayou City each year, will return in October 2021.
The decision to cancel the festival was made in conjunction with attendees, according to a statement from Quilts, Inc. founder and director emeritus Karey Bresenhan, which was released on the event’s website on July 15. “We have read every single one of the hundreds of responses to our inquiry on Facebook and our emailed surveys,” Bresenhan said. “Your responses came through loud and clear: cancel the show and do it now.”
But don’t put those sewing needles away just yet. According to the statement, the festival is already planning virtual events, including its second Virtual Quilt Market and Virtual Schoolhouse Series. “It’s sad, but strangely enough, along with the sadness, there’s just a glimmer of excitement over a new adventure as we plan on taking Festival into the Virtual World.”
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