South Africa’s quilting community will descend on Gqeberha this July as the city hosts one of the country’s biggest textile events.
The 23rd South African National Quilt Festival, themed Sew Awareness, will take place at Collegiate Girls’ High School from 7 to 11 July 2026, welcoming quilters, textile artists and visitors from across South Africa and around the world.
Hosted by the Dias Quilters Guild, one of South Africa’s oldest quilting guilds, the five-day festival celebrates creativity while encouraging more sustainable ways of thinking about fashion, fabric and waste.
More than just quilting
The 2026 theme, Sew Awareness, encourages people to think more consciously about the environment by giving new life to fabrics that may otherwise end up in landfill.
The festival has also drawn inspiration from a rescued sea turtle now living at Bayworld, using its story to highlight the impact of ocean pollution and the importance of making environmentally responsible choices.
Organisers say quilting has long been a craft centred around transforming small pieces of fabric into something beautiful, making it a natural platform for conversations around sustainability and reducing waste.
What visitors can expect
The National Quilt Festival is held every two years and has become one of the country’s premier quilting events.
This year’s programme includes:
- 104 workshops, demonstrations and one-hour classes
- A variety of lectures covering quilting, textiles and environmental awareness
- A world-class quilt exhibition featuring award-winning quilters and teachers from around the globe
- Four international textile art exhibitions, including displays from Kenya and India
- A bustling Vendor Alley and Vendor Mall offering sewing machines, fabrics, quilting supplies, kits, yarn and more
Organisers expect approximately 1,000 registered delegates and around 2,500 day visitors throughout the festival.
International quilting groups from New Zealand, Australia, the United Kingdom, Kenya, Tasmania and India have already confirmed their attendance.
Why this matters for Nelson Mandela Bay
Hosting a major international event of this scale is expected to provide a welcome tourism boost for Nelson Mandela Bay, attracting visitors who will support local accommodation providers, restaurants, attractions and businesses while showcasing Gqeberha as a destination capable of hosting world-class creative events.
Whether you’re an experienced quilter, a textile enthusiast or simply looking for something different to do during July, the Sew Awareness National Quilt Festival promises a colourful celebration of creativity, craftsmanship and environmental responsibility.
For more information, visit sewawareness2026.co.za or follow the festival on Facebook and Instagram.
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