Sewing & Embroidery Events, Shows, & Expos (2025 List!)

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One great thing about living in a big Southern city is the zillions of craft shows within a few hours’ drive. I love a good quilt show, sewing expo, or embroidery convention, and if the shows are local, I pick up my mom and 90-year-old grandmother, and the three of us make a day out of it!

My grandmother was a homemaking teacher for 50 years, so I tagged along with her to sewing trade shows starting in the ’90s. While I was more interested in the free samples (what kid isn’t!?) than fabrics and machines, I grew up going to conferences each summer.  

While the inflexibility of life meant cutting down on traveling to shows as a young adult, my kids are older now, life is more stable, and I’ve started going to more expos in the last several years. 

Want to find a fun sewing or embroidery event near you?

Check out this list I created showing all the upcoming sewing and embroidery events, shows, expos, conferences, meetings, and more that I could find this year.

I’ve split them up primarily by embroidery or sewing and also included some popular quilt shows. 

And, y’all, hit me up with your favorite local conventions and trade shows I missed so I can add them to this list to increase awareness for other crafters! I’m also happy to add any non-US shows if you let me know which ones are worth attending. 

Apparel and Embroidery Conventions

This subset of trade shows is for the machine embroiderers out there!

Some of these are for home embroiderers, and others are geared toward embroidery business owners and focus on apparel design, including everything from screen printing to sublimation on clothing. 

I’ve added website links so you can check out the classes offered and view the vendor lists to get an idea of what to expect.

1. Impressions Expo

Dates:

• January 23-25, 2024 in Long Beach, CA
• March 20-22, 2025 in Atlantic City, NJ
• October 2-4, 2025 in Dallas, TX (usually in Fort Worth, but the Convention Center is under construction)

Impressions Expo is a decor and apparel convention that showcases apparel screen printing, embroidering, sublimation, and other methods of design. It encourages business owners or apparel decor enthusiasts to learn new trends, find new suppliers, and chat with like-minded buddies. (I don’t recommend this show if you’re just a hobbyist.)

And, I tell you, everyone loves my beloved DFW area for conferences—I don’t have to leave for much.

I went to the 2023 Fort Worth show, and I definitely recommend going if you have an embroidery business or are looking to open an embroidery shop. 

Most major embroidery machine suppliers were there with their machines (At the FTW show, I met with Barudan, ZSK, SWF, Melco, Happy, Brother, and Tajima that I can remember), and I also visited with STAHLS, which had several presentations. 

The cool thing about Impressions Expo is it’s free to attend only the expo hall if you register early. (Although, geez, it cost me an outrageous $20 to park in Fort Worth for the time I spent at the expo, so it was NOT totally free.)

Also, the Source Book they mail out later is worth every penny of the parking–it includes a huge list of all US-based vendors sorted by blank, machine type, etc.

2. Everything Embroidery Market

Date: April 25-27, 2024 in Biloxi, MS (no 2025 dates announced as of Fall 2024)

Everything Embroidery Market includes vendors and classes, focusing on machine embroidery, applique, sublimation, and even vinyl crafts. 

I’ve never been, but the show’s website says you can find everything from heat press supplies to embroidery blanks. 

It’s also perfect for learning skills like starting an embroidery, sublimation, or HTV business or expanding your current business. 

3. DecoSummit

Date: August 21-23, 2024 in Miami, FL (2025 dates TBD)

DecoSummit is a three-day meeting for apparel decorators (embroidery, sublimation, printing, etc.) to network, attend seminars, and catch up on industry news. Associated with Ricoma, the conference gives you hands-on experience with their machines and access to their staff. 

1. Applique Getaway

Date: June 27-30, 2024 in Irving, TX (2025 date not announced as of Fall 2024; my understanding is they’re transitioning ownership.)

Applique Getaway is a multi-day conference for crafters to learn about all types of embroidery (more than just applique!) and digitizing with embroidery software. 

And, you’ll also find classes about sublimation, vinyl cutting, and other crafts. (Although, there are a lot of differences between sublimation and embroidery and even HTV crafts.) The Applique Getaway Conference includes classes, demonstrations, a vendor expo, and fun with fellow crafters. 

I went to Applique Getaway this year, as it was local and inexpensive to check out vendors and get a pulse for the latest trends. Plus, I got a fun swag bag at registration!

Applique Getaway also does a virtual event every year in October. The 2024 Virtual Getaway runs from October 19, 2024 to January 31, 2025.

5. Decorated Apparel Expo

Dates:

• February 21-22, 2025 in Kansas City
• May 9-10, 2025 in Nashville, TN
• May 30-31, 2025 in Chicago
• Aug 1-2, 2025 in Twin Cities

Created for apparel decorators, the DAX trade shows focus on machine embroidery, screen printing, and other methods of digital garment decorating. 

The locations rotate each year, so keep an eye out for future events if there’s no one near you this year. 

6. Graphics Pro Expo

Dates:

• March 6-8, 2025 in Irving, TX
• June 19-21, 2025 in Indianapolis, IN
• August 21-23, 2025 in Long Beach, CA
• September 12-13, 2025 in Meadowlands, NJ

The Graphics Pro Expo, put on by Graphics Pro magazine, helps businesses keep up with trends and products through exhibits and classes. Classes teach topics related to laser engraving, sublimation, screen printing, and more. 

I don’t know how much it relates to machine embroidery, but I know that Barudan has exhibited at the Expo, so at least you’ll likely find Barudan machines there.

7. DIME Virtual Embroidery Events

If you can’t physically attend any machine embroidery events, you can still check out virtual events! DIME offers virtual events all the time, and many of them are free. 

8. Apparel Decoration Summit (ADS)

Sad news—the shows paused during the pandemic and are now permanently stopped as of Fall 2024.

However, the National Network of Embroidery Professionals (NNEP) updated their website to reflect that they exhibited at the 2024 Graphics Pro Expos at least. 

Sewing Shows and Conventions 

Most of these sewing expos and conventions also feature machine embroidery and quilting.

These differ from the above list in that they’re less focused on embroidery and more on sewing and quilting

Many include judged quilt shows and might be better suited to hobbyist crafters rather than some of the more business-focused embroidery and apparel meetings. 

1. Original Sewing & Quilt Expo

Dates:

• Altlanta, GA: March 6-8, 2025
• Lakeland, FL: March 13-15, 2025
• Cleveland, OH: April 4-5, 2025
• Raleigh, NC: May 1-3, 2025
• Irving, TX: July 31-Aug 2, 2025
• Fredericksburg, VA: September 25-27, 2025
• Nashville, TN: October 2-4, 2025
• Cincinnati, OH:  October 16-18, 20245
• Detroit, MI: November 13-15, 2025

I’ve loved going to our local Original Sewing & Quilt Expo and have done so for many years now!

In addition to a judged quilt contest, the event includes on-site classes and a vendor show floor. They also have door prizes (you must be present to win, which never happens because I have to be home to pick my kids up from school). 

And, at least at the Irving show I’ve been to, all the local sewing dealers have machines and supplies for sewing, machine embroidery, and quilting. 

I haven’t seen much about sublimation or digital cutting machines, though, and I sadly noticed the AccuQuilt offerings were sparse at the last show. 

Unless you attend classes, it shouldn’t take more than a day to look at the quilt displays and booths. 

2. American Sewing Guild Annual Conference

Date: June 27-July 1, 2024 in San Francisco, CA (No 2025 date announced, but there was a virtual conference in Fall 2024.)

The American Sewing Guild’s annual conference has classes and shopping and will appeal to quilters, sewists, and machine embroidered. Their website says access to the vendor hall is free, so if you are local, you don’t have much to lose by stopping by!

3. Sewing & Stitchery Expo

Date: February 27 – March 2, 2025 in Puyallup, Washington

Per their website, the Sewing & Stitching Expo is the “largest annual gathering of the sewing community in the entire country.”

I’m super intrigued because I honestly didn’t think anything could get bigger than the International Quilt Festival I’ve been to in Houston!

Anyway, this seems to be a typical expo filled with a hall of vendors and lots of exciting classes covering sewing, embroidery, and quilting. 

4. Quilt, Craft and Sewing Festival

Dates: 

• January 30- February 1, 2025 Phoenix, AZ
• February 6-8, 2025 Albuquerque, NM
• March 20-22, 2025 Sacramento, CA
• April 10-12, 2025 Portland, OR
• May 8-10, 2025 Boise, ID
• May 15-17, 2025 Salt Lake City, UT
• May 29-31, 2025 Castle Rock, CO
• August 28-30, 2025 Scottsdale, AZ
• October 9-11, 2025 Pleasanton, CA
• November 6-8, 2025 Tucson, AZ
• November 13-15, 2025 Puyallup, WA

Even though they do not prefer my beloved Oxford comma, the multiple Quilt, Craft & Sewing Festivals in the US are affordable and showcase fabric crafts like sewing, quilting, and other needle arts. 

When I look at the website, they mention an exhibit hall filled with tons of crafty vendors, plus free demos with Make ‘N Takes. 

Opening up online programs for different locations, it also looks like there are multiple free seminars at each city’s show. 

5. International Quilt Festival

Date: October 9-12, 2025 in Houston, TX

This is the largest quilt festival I’ve ever been to, although I haven’t returned since moving away from Houston a decade ago. 

It has a judged quilt show, tons of vendors, and so many classes and other fun things. This thing is HUGE, so wear comfortable shoes!

6. QuiltCon

Date: February 20-23, 2025 in Phoenix, AZ

Presented by the Modern Quilt Guild, QuiltCon is well-known as one of the more popular and best quilting shows. I always try to check out the winners’ quilts online, even though I’ve never attended, because these quilts are crazy creative and fun. (Life goals, ya know!)

7. AQS Quilt Week Shows

Dates:

• February 19-22, 2025 in Daytona Beach, FL
• March 12-15, 2025 in Branson, MO
• April 23-26, 2025 in Paducah, KY
• August 20-23, 2025 in Grand Rapids, MI
• September 10–13, 2025 in Lancaster, PA

These well-loved shows, put on by the American Quilt Society, include diverse vendors, a quilt show, and various classes. In addition to sewing and quilting, their class lists specifically include a few for machine embroiderers. 

8. Quiltfests

Dates:

• February 27-March 2, 2025 in Hampton, VA
• September 11-24, 2025 in Oaks, PA

Another well-known quilting show organization puts on these events, so if you’re a quilter extraordinaire or sewing enthusiast, you should check out these shows. They also do virtual schoolhouse events throughout the year if you’re not up for traveling. 

Other Quilt Shows

I don’t want to reinvent the wheel, so check out this US quilt show directory, which includes many, many local quilt shows and events. 

And, international quilters can search for quilt shows in their countries on this helpful website. 

Another resource for shows is to check with your local quilt guild (here’s a master list of quilt guilds).Many local quilt guilds will organize shows. 

For example, one of the big metroplex guilds, the Quilter’s Guild of Dallas, puts on the Dallas Quilt Show each year, which is pretty big and worth attending if you’re local. 

 

And that’s a wrap for my knowledge of sewing conventions and embroidery expos. Let me know of any other events you love in the comments, or feel free to lovingly remind me to update dates as time passes!