The Quilt Guild of Greater Houston – Houston’s oldest and largest guild -- will hold its 48th annual Houston Joy of Quilts Show on January 17 and 18 2025 at the Stafford Center, 10505 Cash Road in Stafford. Over 200 quilts will be on display, and fifty quilts will be auctioned online with proceeds to be used to provide quilts to more than twenty-five organizations in Houston that serve families and children in need.

More than 10,000 quilts have been donated since the Guild was established in 1976. In 2024, more than 500 Quilts were donated to organizations including Houston Hospice, MD Anderson, CASA Esperanza, Sleep in Heavenly Peace, Christian Community Service Center, Texas Children’s Hospital, Ronald McDonald House.

The Quilt Guild of Greater Houston is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to the art of quilting.

"We are proud to continue showcasing the work of our talented network of quilters,” said Janice Schindeler, Joy of Quilts Chair for Quilt Guild of Greater Houston. “Initially, quilts served as protection from a cold environment, but today they have blossomed into a form of self-expression. Each year, the Houston Joy of Quilts offers the public an opportunity to view and purchase our quilts, with 100% of the proceeds dedicated to encouraging the growth and development of quilting through art, education, and community support. We are committed to supporting families, children, and those in need by consistently providing quilts to organizations in Houston such as Texas Children's Hospital, Ronald McDonald House, and KASA. Each quilt we create, and deliver is delivered with the message ‘He who sleeps under a quilt is comforted by love.’ “

Quilters from across Texas enter the judged competition, and their work will be on display at the Stafford Center. Renowned judges Diane Leclair and Shawn Sickle will provide judging and written feedback for the entry quilts. Marcia Kaylakie, certified quilt appraiser, will augment the judging. First place ribbons will be given for Best of Show/Machine Quilting, Best of Show/Hand Quilting and Judges Selection,along with several other specialty aways. These are in addition to the Overall Best of Show.

Marcia Kaylakie, certified appraiser from Turkey Creek Quilts, will be on hand during the two-day event to provide appraisals and feedback for quilts from attendees. The public may bring quilts for review by Marcia.

The Guild is well known across Houston for their philanthropy and several of their members are award winning quilters including:

· Guild volunteers staff the "Learn to Quilt" booth at the Houston International Quilt Festival each year, introducing over 500 attendees to the art of quilting.

· Volunteers provide over 10,000 hours per year to raise awareness, create and teach the art of quilting throughout the Houston area.

· 262 members strong including blue ribbon award winners at the 2024 Houston Livestock & Rodeo: Janice Schindeler, winner of Hand Quilted, for “Animal Insanity;” red ribbon award winner Audrey Lynn for “Chicken Hollywood Squares”, and white ribbon award winner Ellen Happe Phillips for “Hey Cowboy.”

· Member Jackie Hilman had a special exhibit of 18 quilts at the International Quilt Festival in 2023 – Many Ways to Carve a Goose.

Entry to the quilt show may be purchased at the door for $10.00. To learn more about Houston Joy of Quilts, please visit houstonjoyofquilts.com/.