The Festival of Quilts, the largest and most inspiring quilting event in Europe, is edging its way back to Birmingham this August.

The gathering of all and everything relating to quilt art from around the world will take place at Birmingham NEC from Monday, August 11 – Sunday, August 14, 2011.

Tickets are on sale now, priced at adults £12, concessions £11 and children (under-18) at £5 from www.twistedthread.com or 020 8692 2299

The Festival of Quilts has earned a reputation over the last eight years as one of the finest gatherings of all and everything relating to quilt art – and last year more than 34,000 people travelled from over 54 countries around the globe.

For 2011 the shopping opportunities will be immense, with over 300 companies selling a great variety of patchwork and quilting supplies. The show will also offer vast numbers of workshops and lectures, aimed at both the beginner and the expert to explore new territory from talented and respected artists and teachers.

As always, quilts will be on display in their thousands and provide a stunning spectacle that will come in many guises from both competition entrants and professional artists, such as Jette Clover, Katriina Flensburg, Willy Doreleijers and many more.

Here is a taste of just some of the features at the Festival:

Mary Lloyd Jones, a leading painter and former textile artist from Wales is now rediscovering her textile past. The textile pieces in this gallery will demonstrate a working pattern followed during the late 70s, experimenting with dyes and stitching to create a new way of working. A central theme to this work is a response to the natural world, a need to address environmental problems and the value of attachment to place. The exhibition contains new work dated 2011 in addition to works form the 70s and 80s.

Padmaja Krishnan is a textile and fashion artist who has been working closely with kaantha, a traditional recycled hand quilting craft of Bengal in Eastern India. Kaantha is a play on the ordinary running stitch used in its myriad variations. This needle and thread wonder of India is extraordinary not only because of its stunning texture, rhythm of colours and curious motifs, but also because it represents one of the earliest and most extraordinary means of recycling discarded fragments of cloth through embroidery. Padmaja was awarded the Best in Show at the Festival of Quilts in 2007.

Other features include a gallery curated by internationally known writer and traveller, John Gillow, to bring to life his amazing new book on Islamic Stitch.

A souq will also be created within the festival to illustrate the monumental work of two of the Cairo Tentmakers. Only 40 such artists remain and the aim is to replicate the vibrant colour and atmosphere of the Khan Khayamiya – the Market of the Tentmakers – giving visitors the opportunity to immerse themselves in the ‘dyeing art’ of these talented craft people.

The American Museum in Britain remains the only museum outside the United States to showcase the nation’s decorative arts. The American Museum’s collection of textiles is acclaimed as the finest of its type in Europe. In addition to weavings and embroideries, the Museum boasts an extensive collection of over two hundred quilts. A selection of these stunning quilts will be on display at the festival, providing visitors with a taste of the delights to be experienced at the Museum. The display will include classic American designs, such as Log Cabin and a bold Hawaiian quilt, as well as more unusual designs. A modern piece will be included in the form of a quilt made by Museum volunteers and members to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the American Museum in Britain.

For a full list of features or to book tickets or workshops visit www.twistedthread.com