The 2025 Romsey Quilt Exhibition will open its doors at Romsey Abbey and the United Reformed Church on July 4, running through July 19. Organisers confirmed that this year’s display will blend centuries-old quilting techniques with bold contemporary designs, showcasing work by both emerging and established textile artists.
Jo Avery, a Scottish textile artist and author of *Simply Pieced Quilts*, will deliver a talk titled *The Colour Theory of Quilts* at Crosfield Hall on the eve of the exhibition. The session runs from 7pm to 9pm and is open to ticket holders, priced at £12 each. Organisers emphasised the event’s accessibility, noting tactile fabric samples, clear signage, and volunteer stewards will guide visitors through the displays.
| Event | Date | Location | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jo Avery talk | July 3 | Crosfield Hall | 7pm–9pm |
| Fabric Fiesta sale | July 12 | Crosfield Hall | 10am–4pm |
| Exhibition viewing | July 4–19 | Romsey Abbey & URC | 10am–4pm |
The exhibition will also host a dedicated section in the United Reformed Church featuring 25 *Linus Quilts*—handmade quilts donated to sick, disabled, or disadvantaged children across Hampshire. This year’s event has expanded its workshops, adding five new sessions on hand-dyeing techniques and free-motion quilting, led by local artisans.
Key Points
- ✅ First-ever Linus Quilts section with 25 handmade donations
- ⚡ Five new workshops on dyeing and free-motion quilting
- 💡 Tactile fabric samples and guided tours for accessibility
Ticket sales for the Jo Avery talk opened last week via TicketSource, with organisers reporting over 100 advance bookings so far. A Fabric Fiesta on July 12 will sell fabrics, threads, and patterns, with 30 vendors confirmed, including suppliers from London and Manchester. Proceeds from both events support Romsey’s textile education programs for young makers.
💡 Pro Tip
Arrive early on July 4 to avoid crowds—Romsey Abbey’s car park fills by 10:30am on opening day, and shuttle buses from Romsey Train Station run every 20 minutes.
This year’s exhibition builds on a decade of annual events, which have drawn over 40,000 visitors since 2015. Past displays have featured quilts from the Victoria and Albert Museum’s archives and loans from private collectors in Surrey. The 2025 edition introduces a digital archive, allowing visitors to scan QR codes on each quilt to view maker bios and technique breakdowns.
📋 By The Numbers
- 40,000+ — Total visitors to past exhibitions since 2015
- 25 — Number of Linus Quilts to be displayed this year
- 30 — Vendors confirmed for the July 12 Fabric Fiesta
Organisers confirmed that all quilts will be available for purchase, with prices ranging from £120 for small wall hangings to £2,800 for large, intricately pieced works. The event’s closing day on July 19 will feature a raffle for a handmade queen-size quilt, with tickets priced at £5 each.
- 📊 40,000 visitors have attended past Romsey Quilt Exhibitions since 2015
- 🔍 This year’s workshop additions focus on sustainable dyeing methods
- ⚠️ Parking at Romsey Abbey is limited—public transport advised
