The 23rd South African National Quilt Festival is set to celebrate the therapeutic, expressive handcraft of quilting and impart lifelong skills to a new generation when it runs from 7 to 11 July at the Collegiate Girls’ High School in Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth).

This biennial celebration of quilting and textile art is coordinated by the South African Quilters’ Guild (SAQG) and will be held under the theme “Sew Awareness,” with experts providing hands-on training during workshops.

The SAQG is currently running its 13th Travelling Exhibition theme, “Sew Conscious,” at the War Museum of the Boer Republics in Bloemfontein, ahead of its major 2026 festival in the Eastern Cape. It features 32 curated works showcasing stunning craftsmanship and powerful storytelling. The exhibition challenges quilters to create textile art that reflects on environmental awareness, conservation, and the responsible use of resources.

Iessie Steenberg, an accredited SAQG teacher and lecturer in clothing and fashion design, highlighted the significance of the travelling exhibition and the drive to engage the younger generation ahead of the upcoming festival.

Although creativity and innovation is encouraged, this has raised questions as to whether there is too much deviation from textile traditions.

“The organisation is very concerned that South African quilting and textile design are becoming increasingly distinct, evolving away from historical traditions. Involving the younger generation and the community will be far-reaching, empowering participants, preserving traditional textile artistry, and fostering creative entrepreneurship,” said Steenberg.

She said that, to ensure a positive impact, people who are passionate about quilting and textile design were asked to participate by producing guilt items related to the theme for the travelling exhibition.

Steenberg’s quilt titled “Bemors…Jy?”, depicts a dramatic split-scene environmental artwork of Renosterspruit, Bloemfontein, showing nature destroyed by human littering. She was touched by this scene during a fishing expedition with her family.

She stressed that the travelling quilt exhibition and the upcoming five-day workshops in the Eastern Cape were fundamental in imparting valuable knowledge in traditional patchwork, stitching techniques, and storytelling.