The Quilters' Guild of the British Isles

What The Quilters' Guild of the British Isles does

The Quilters' Guild of the British Isles is a UK-based educational charity founded in 1979, headquartered at St Anthony's Hall in York, with a small staff team of approximately 7-9 employees. It operates as a membership-based organization whose core product is an annual membership subscription (£59/year for Adult UK direct debit) that grants access to a volunteer-led ecosystem of regional groups, five Special Interest Groups (British Quilt Study Group, Contemporary Textiles, Modern Quilt Group, Miniature Quilt Group, Traditional Quilt Group), bursaries, a fortnightly member email update, and member discounts. The Guild also preserves a nationally important quilt collection (Arts Council Accredited since 2019, MLA Accredited since 2009) that previously operated as a physical museum and is now exhibited via a touring model.

The Guild generates revenue through a diversified mix of streams: membership subscriptions tiered by age, geography, and student status (with free membership for under-18s and pricing up to £150/year for large affiliated groups); donations (including Gift Aid); commercial event revenue from Festival of Quilts Ltd (a wholly-owned subsidiary that operates Europe's largest quilting show at NEC Birmingham, featuring 200+ brands, workshops, talks, and one of the world's largest quilt competitions); transaction fees for workshops, online events on The Loft Zoom platform, and collection hire (e.g., £50 Handbag Collection hire); grants from Arts Council England and National Lottery Heritage Fund; and online shop sales via Shopify.

The technology stack is commodity and operational, comprising Shopify, MailChimp, Xero, Zoom, and Facebook/Instagram, with PCI Level 1 payment processing and GDPR compliance. There is no proprietary technology product; the underlying platform is the community ecosystem itself, supported by a network of volunteer regional committees, trustees, and national officers. The Guild is registered as a company limited by guarantee (no. 03447631) and a charity in England and Wales (no. 1067361) and Scotland (no. SC043174), with no external equity ownership.

Name

The Quilters' Guild of the British Isles

Legal name

The Quilters' Guild of the British Isles

Website

https://quiltersguild.org.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

1979

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Quilters' Guild of the British Isles is a UK educational charity founded in 1979 that operates a membership-based community of quilters, preserving a nationally important quilt collection and running the Festival of Quilts, Europe's largest quilting show, through a volunteer-driven network of regional and special interest groups.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Craft Community & Heritage Education

NAICS

Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations (813), Sewing, Needlework, and Piece Goods Retailers (459130)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Wholesale-Apparel, Piece Goods & Notions (5130)

akta.pro primary industry

Quilting & Patchwork Shops (CRALADAB)

Keywords

• Educational charity services
• Craft membership organisation
• Quilting heritage preservation
• Community arts education
• Textile arts programming

Headquarters

HQ city

York

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Others, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Membership Subscriptions: Annual membership fees with various tiers including adult UK, international, student, young quilters (free), and group affiliations. Payment options include annual direct debit, quarterly direct debit, monthly direct debit, card, or cheque.
2. Donations: Donations accepted online with options to direct funds to general Guild work, bursaries, Young Quilters Project, or Conservation Club for the Museum Collection.
3. Festival of Quilts: Festival of Quilts Ltd (QGBI Enterprises) is a commercial subsidiary company that organises the largest quilting show in Europe, generating revenue through event attendance, exhibitions, workshops, and related commercial activities.
4. Online Shop: The Quilters' Guild Shop sells pattern box cushions, collection-related items, and quilting materials online.
5. The Loft Online Events: The Loft is the Guild's online activity platform offering international speaker talks and workshops. Ticket sales for these online events provide revenue, with members receiving discounted pricing.
6. Workshop and Event Fees: Fees charged for workshops, talks, and events such as the Miniature Quilt Group workshops (£25-37.50) and Loft events (various pricing for members and non-members).
7. Collection Hire: Special Interest Groups such as the Miniature Quilt Group hire out collections (e.g., Handbag Collection for £50) to local quilt groups and exhibitions.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The Quilters' Guild of the British Isles is an educational charity that sells annual membership subscriptions providing access to a national quilting community, regional groups, Special Interest Groups, training, events, and heritage resources. It also operates the Festival of Quilts (Europe's largest quilting show), the online Guild Shop, an online activity platform (The Loft), a quilt judging training course, and curates an Arts Council Accredited Quilt Collection.

Product overview

The Quilters' Guild of the British Isles operates as a membership-based educational charity offering a unified platform for quilting enthusiasts across the UK. The core offering is Guild Membership, which provides access to regional groups, special interest groups, bursaries, and member communications. The portfolio includes Festival of Quilts (Europe's largest quilting show), The Loft (online Zoom-based activity platform), and five Special Interest Groups (British Quilt Study Group, Contemporary Textiles, Modern Quilt Group, Miniature Quilt Group, and Traditional Quilt Group). Supporting offerings include Quilt Judging training, bursaries programme, the Quilt Collection/Museum, online Shop, Young Quilters programme, Teachers and Speakers Directory, and Travelling Trunks.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Festival of Quilts: The biggest quilting show in Europe, launched in 2003 in partnership with The Quilters' Guild
• The Loft
• Young Quilters
• Talking Quilts

Products and services

• Guild Membership Annual membership subscription with tiered pricing (Adult UK £59-£72, International £75, Student £30, Young Quilter 5-18 free, Young Person 19-24 £20, Affiliated Groups £97-£150, School affiliation £20) providing access to the Guild's community, regional groups, Special Interest Groups, bursaries, and member discounts.
• Festival of Quilts Annual quilting event held at NEC Birmingham, now the biggest quilting show in Europe, featuring workshops, talks, demos, textile galleries, one of the world's largest quilt competitions, and 200+ commercial brands. Operated by wholly-owned subsidiary Festival of Quilts Ltd (QGBI Enterprises).
• The Loft Online activity platform offering international speaker talks and workshops via Zoom, accessible to members and non-members with member-discounted pricing.
• Quilters' Guild Shop Online shop selling Guild merchandise, collection-related items, Pattern Box cushions, and exclusive patterns inspired by the Quilt Collection.
• Quilt Judging Training Two-year distance learning course training quilters to become certified quilt judges, with internationally recognised accreditation managed by the Quilt Judging Committee.
• British Quilt Study Group (BQSG) Special Interest Group focused on research into all aspects of quilt making, historical and contemporary, with annual seminars and publication of the Quilt Studies journal. Add-on subscription £15 per year.
• Contemporary Textiles (was Contemporary Quilt) Special Interest Group for quilters and textile artists working at the cutting edge of contemporary textile art, featuring quarterly newsletters, online talks, challenges, and suitcase collections for hire. Add-on subscription £15 per year.
• Modern Quilt Group Special Interest Group for modern quilting enthusiasts, formed in 2014, offering workshops and member activities. Add-on subscription £10 per year.
• Miniature Quilt Group Special Interest Group for miniature quilts (typically no bigger than 30cm square), offering newsletters, virtual meetings, workshops, challenges, and the Handbag Collection for hire. Add-on subscription £10 per year.
• Traditional Quilt Group Special Interest Group focused on traditional quilting methods, from hand-quilted wholecloth to precision machine-cut fabric, founded in 2005. Add-on subscription £10 per year.
• Young Quilters Free membership programme for young quilters aged 5-24, teaching sewing and quilting to young people, with dedicated events and activities.
• Travelling Trunks Educational resource trunks available for hire, containing quilt-related materials and information for teaching and demonstrations.
• Teachers and Speakers Directory Directory of 30+ Guild-approved teachers and speakers available for talks and workshops across various quilting specialisms and locations.

Quantifiable outcome

• Festival of Quilts is the biggest quilting show in Europe
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration6 records

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Festival of Quilts LtdcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFestival of Quilts Ltd (QGBI Enterprises) is a subsidiary company limited by guarantee (no. 03538705) that operates Festival of Quilts, Europe's largest quilting show launched in 2003 in partnership with The Quilters' Guild. The Guild works with a professional events company to hold the annual event at NEC Birmingham.
• BerninaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor of The Quilters' Guild. Bernina and The Quilters' Guild partnered on the Covid Commemorative Quilt project.
• Immediate LiveminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor of The Quilters' Guild (publisher of quilting magazines and related media).
• EQSminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor of The Quilters' Guild.
• VlieselineminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor of The Quilters' Guild (interfacing and wadding products).
• Crafter's CompanionminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor of The Quilters' Guild (craft tools and supplies).
• BrotherminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor of The Quilters' Guild (sewing machines).
• Lewis & IreneminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor of The Quilters' Guild (fabric designer).
• AurifilminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor of The Quilters' Guild (thread manufacturer).
• JanomeminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor of The Quilters' Guild (sewing machines).
• MakowerminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor of The Quilters' Guild (fabric manufacturer).
• Search PressminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor of The Quilters' Guild (art and craft books publisher).
• Dean CloughminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerResource Centre opened at Dean Clough in Halifax in 2001 to house The Guild's growing heritage quilt collection and library.
• St Anthony's HallcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHistoric building in York that serves as the registered office and exhibition venue for The Quilters' Guild since the Quilt Museum and Gallery opened in 2008.
• Terrence Higgins TrustminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCharitable partnership on the Terry Higgins Memorial Quilt project, a collaborative project where the quilting community created a memorial quilt.
• University of York St JohnminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration to use the Collection for connecting with people who have not necessarily encountered quilts before.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves13 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Heritage Crafts Association: UK charity advocating for traditional craft heritage, including textile arts, with educational programming and endangered-craft research. Comparable as a craft-heritage preservation charity with a national membership-style following.
• The Royal School of Needlework: UK educational charity offering accredited needlework and stitch courses, with museum collections and heritage programming. Comparable as a craft-heritage educational charity with formal certification programmes.
• National Federation of Women's Institutes (NFWI / The WI): UK membership-based charity with regional federations, craft and heritage programming, and educational/cultural mission. Comparable as a community-led, membership-driven educational charity with regional volunteer infrastructure.
• The Embroiderers' Guild: UK-based craft membership charity focused on embroidery with a similar structure of membership subscriptions, regional groups, special interest groups, judged exhibitions, and educational bursaries. Highly comparable to The Quilters' Guild in mission, governance, and operating model.
• The Quilt Museum: York-based museum permanently displaying the Quilters' Guild Collection following the 2015 museum closure. Operates the same quilt collection that the Guild owns, and is a closely aligned heritage institution.

Broad incumbents

• Hobbycraft: UK's largest specialist craft retailer stocking fabric, sewing, and quilting supplies. Comparable as a major player in the same quilting/sewing craft category, but operates as a for-profit retailer with broader craft coverage.
• The Campaign for Wool: Industry-supported UK charity promoting wool and textile heritage through events, education, and campaigns. Comparable as a textile-heritage charitable organisation with corporate partner engagement and educational outreach.

Others

• The Worshipful Company of Weavers: Historic City of London livery company supporting the textile arts through education, prizes, and bursaries. Comparable as a textile-arts supporter with educational charity characteristics and bursary programmes.

Emerging players

• The Knitting & Stitching Show: Annual UK craft expo featuring workshops, exhibitions, and retail for textile arts including quilting. Comparable as a major textile craft event platform, though without the membership/community model.

Regional players

• American Quilters Society: US-based quilting membership society that publishes QuiltMania, hosts major quilt shows, and offers judging certification. Highly comparable in mission and product mix, but operates primarily in North America.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/quilters-guild

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles14 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The Quilters' Guild of the British Isles