Welcome to the Ailsa Craig Quilt Festival
Celebrating Quilting and Fibre Arts from Around the World
For over 15 years, the tiny village of Ailsa Craig, Ontario has hosted an internationally renowned quilt and fibre arts festival unlike any other. What started as a small local event has blossomed into a week-long celebration of quilting traditions from across the globe.
History
A Festival Rich in History and Culture
Each year, the festival highlights the quilting heritage of a different country or region through stunning exhibitions, demonstrations, workshops and cultural exchanges. Local volunteers work tirelessly to provide an authentic experience by billeting visiting artists and recreating traditional villages on festival grounds.
Past festivals have showcased the incredible fibre arts of Russia, Africa, Ireland, Denmark, The Netherlands, Israel, Great Britain, France, Latvia, Canada, and Iceland. In 2019, the theme was “Quilts of New Zealand” with over 100 quilts on display and Kiwi tutors leading workshops.
The Covid-19 pandemic forced the difficult decision to end the large-scale Ailsa Craig Quilt Festival after 2019. However, the spirit lives on through the Ailsa Craig Arts Centre which continues celebrating quilting and fibre arts year-round.
Browse our archives to explore over a decade of extraordinary quilts, stories and traditions from around the world. We hope this website serves as a lasting record of the incredible community effort that made the Ailsa Craig Quilt Festival an unforgettable experience.