PHOTOS: Road to Virginia quilt showcase makes Richmond debut

Jun 28, 2025 - 18:25

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PHOTOS: Road to Virginia quilt showcase makes Richmond debut

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- The renowned Road to California family of quilt shows is expanding east with the debut of Road to Virginia this past week.

The showcase was held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Thursday, June 26, and Friday, June 29, and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, June 28, at the Greater Richmond Convention Center, located at 403 N 3rd Street

With more than 700 quilts on display representing multiple styles and skills, 100 vendors offering fabric, machines and kits and a full lineup of classes, lectures and hands-on workshops, this inaugural event became a major annual destination for quilting enthusiasts and other creators.

According to a release, plans are already in place for Road to Virginia to return in 2026, with discussions with the City of Richmond and dates held for the convention center until 2035.

Matt Reese, the owner of the Road to Virginia quilters conference, says, "you are going to find something here unlike you've ever seen before."

There were landscapes with paint and thread to make the design and artwork, as well as patchwork quilts and antique quilts provided by the International Quilt Museum, according to Reese.

"Really, we wanted to bring an experience that we provide everybody in California to the East Coast. We've noticed that the Richmond area and Northern Virginia [have] a huge population of quilters that are really being underserved by this style of an event."

Reese says his grandmother purchased the original Road to California quilters conference in 1991 before moving to Ontario

The event includes special exhibits showcasing heritage, innovation and personal stories that are embedded into each piece, and will also include live demonstrations, trunk shows and opportunities to meet the makers.

With sewing machines, fabric, thread and jewelry, Reese said this is the largest vendor hall for quilting on the East Coast.

Continue scrolling to see photos from debut of the Road to Virginia quilt showcase.

The Road to California family of quilt shows is expanding east with the debut of Road to Virginia from June 26 to June 28. (Photo: William Berksteiner, 8News)