What is a Quilt Tour and Why You Should Take One

How organized quilting is taking over the globe!

Have you always had an itch to see the world but don’t want to go alone? Did you know there are several tour groups that do just that and are geared specifically for quilters! Hundreds of Quilt tours are scheduled each year to places like Ireland, England, Japan, Egypt, Iceland and even many quilt destinations here in the US! For an unforgettable quilting adventure of a lifetime, I’d highly recommend giving them a try!

What is a Quilt tour | Mark Sherman Book of Kells quilt at Trinity College

A few years ago, Mark Sherman came to speak at our Quilters Guild and brought with him some flyers. He was advertising his first Quilt tour to Ireland. On that trip he would be premiering his amazing Book of Kells quilt at Trinity College in Dublin. Well, on a whim I picked up a flyer and took it home.

The next day I showed the flyer to my husband and, half-jokingly, told him we should go. No way did I expect the next words out of his mouth, “When do you leave?”

Dumbfounded that my husband, Mr. ‘why do we need to spend money on that’ was telling me to actually go to Ireland on a Quilt tour. I quickly hopped on the phone and made my reservation before he decided to rethink his position.

Y’all, that trip changed my life. Seriously. 12 strangers from various parts of the US came together in New York to trek across the Atlantic and explore just a few of the amazing sights and experiences Ireland had to offer. After 9 days, those strangers left life long friends. It was, by far, one of the best trips I’ve ever taken. And, I can’t wait to do it again!

What is a Quilt Tour?

For over 30 years a handful of tour companies have been taking quilters of all ages to various locations to experience quilt shops, retreats, shows and much more. Today, those trips include destinations all around the world including Japan and even Iceland.

Each Quilt tour usually includes entrance fees, travel and hotel accommodations and some meals. Some even include airfare.

Why Take a Quilt Tour?

There are definitely a few pros and cons to going on an organized Quilt tour. The best Pros:

Everything is done for you. Once you sign up, all that’s required is for you to show up and enjoy. All of your accommodations, travel, ticketing, and itinerary has been scheduled for you.
New friends! Going in you already know that everyone on your trip is a fellow quilter. That means you already have something in common. By the end of the trip, you’ll all be great friends having experienced a grand adventure.
Security and peace of mind. There’s safety in numbers. That, coupled with your tour guides and their expertise, you can feel safe and secure to better enjoy your trip.

The only draw back that I can see with organized Quilt tours might be the price. Full 1 – 2 week long Quilt tours can range from $1000 up to $5000 depending on the location. However, most of them do take payments so you can spread it out a bit.

All that said, in my humble opinion, the tours are worth every penny.

What is a Quilt tour | 4 travelers in Ireland

Whether your goal is to see the US or to see the world, there is a Quilt tour adventure out there just waiting for you. From workshops to tours, museums to the wild outdoors, it’s sure to be the quilt adventure of a lifetime!

What is on your Quilt Travel Bucket list? Let me know in the comments!

Hotel Safety Tips for the Traveling Quilter
Check out my Travel Safety Tips When You Fly
Complete Lists of Quilt Shops in the US
More Travel Tips!

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