🧵 A Bag Maker’s Guide to the Festival of Quilts 2025

The Festival of Quilts might be known for patchwork and quilting, but don’t be fooled — it’s also an absolute dream for bag makers like me. With fabric stalls galore, top-tier tools, machine demos, expert tips, and a growing number of bag-making supplies, it’s one of the highlights of my sewing calendar.

Whether you're heading there for the first time or you're a seasoned show-goer like me, I’ve pulled together my top picks, tips, and what not to miss – including a ticket giveaway at the end!

🎟️ What Makes This Show Great for Bag Makers?

Although it leans heavily toward quilting (it’s in the name, after all), the Festival of Quilts has plenty for bag makers. From beautiful cottons and robust denims to specialist threads, tools, and workshops — it’s one of the best opportunities all year to see, touch, and test the things you usually scroll past online.

And the atmosphere? It’s buzzing. Full of makers, inspiration, and ideas just waiting to jump into your next project.

🛍️ Stalls & Exhibitors Bag Makers Will Love

Here are some of my personal favourite stalls to look out for:

🧵 Doughty’s Patchwork & Quilting

A go-to for a huge variety of cotton fabrics in every print and colour you can imagine. Ideal for linings, outers, and contrast panels.

🧷 Barnyarns

A treasure trove of haberdashery and tools, from specialist threads to zips, scissors, needles and everything in between. Their selection is brilliant for bag making.

🌿 Higgs and Higgs

If you love natural fibres and want your bags to have that timeless look, don’t miss Higgs and Higgs. They stock beautiful linens, cottons, and ticking-style prints.

💜 Purple Stitches

A favourite for bag-making supplies. You’ll find everything from webbing and hardware to foam, interfacing, and maybe even a new pattern or two.

🌈 Rainbow Fabrics Kilburn

Known for their amazing deadstock and ex-designer fabrics, Rainbow Fabrics always have something unexpected. I love checking out their corks, cottons, and canvas for more unusual makes.

📏 The Quilted Bear

For the best range of rulers, gadgets and sewing tools, this is your stop. Whether you need to mark curves or square up panels, you’ll find what you need here.

🤓 All the Big Machine Brands in One Place

If you’re thinking about upgrading your sewing machine — or just need some help with the one you’ve already got — the Festival of Quilts is the perfect opportunity.

You'll find Brother, Janome, Juki, Bernina, and Pfaff all under one roof, each with their own stand full of expert advisors and demo models. You can try machines out, ask questions, and get advice that’s tailored to bag making (especially if you work with heavy fabrics like vinyl or canvas).

🎤 Stop for the Demos — You’ll Learn Something!

Even though most of the on-stand demos are geared towards quilting, I always stop to watch. Why? Because so many of the techniques overlap with bag making, and honestly, some of the best tips I’ve ever picked up came from a quilting demo I almost walked past!

Whether it’s interfacing tricks, how to sew neat curves, or clever ways to press tricky seams — there’s always a nugget of wisdom you can bring into your next bag project. So if you hear a demo going on, stop for a bit and take some notes — you never know what you might learn.

🌸 NEW: The Menopause Makes Lounge

Something new and important for 2025 — the Menopause Makes Lounge. As a woman of a certain age, I’m definitely stopping by. This space is dedicated to practical sewing ideas to support symptoms like brain fog, insomnia, anxiety, and night sweats. I love that they’re opening up the conversation and offering ways to bring comfort and creativity together.

Make sure to book early — this is likely to be a popular stop!

✂️ Try a Workshop or Talk (Even if You're Not a Quilter)

The Festival of Quilts runs workshops and talks all weekend long, and while they’re mainly quilting-focused, they can be a great chance to try something new.

Thinking of adding quilted panels to your bags? Want to learn appliqué, patchwork or hand sewing techniques? These sessions offer hands-on experience and a lovely way to meet other makers. Even if you're a die-hard bag maker, a bit of quilting knowledge can elevate your designs.

Final Thoughts

If you’re a bag maker looking for inspiration, tools, and the chance to learn something new – the Festival of Quilts really is worth a visit. Whether you come home with bags of fabric (literally), a head full of ideas, or a new machine to play with — you’ll definitely leave inspired.

Until next time, happy sewing – and may your bobbin always be full. 🧵✨

Deb x