This year marked my second time participating in h+h americas. Unlike last year’s smaller mini exhibit space featuring my miniature quilt studio project, this year I had my own booth. Along with some of the miniatures, I packed up full-sized quilts, patterns, embroidery kits, booth displays, and drove from Connecticut to Chicago for the show.
If you’re curious, you can see last year’s miniature house quilt studio exhibit here.
If you’re not familiar with h+h americas, it’s a trade show for the creative arts industry where shop owners, manufacturers, designers, educators, and industry professionals gather to discover new products, connect with companies, and see what’s new in the world of sewing, quilting, yarn, needlework, and more.
For me and my business, Whole Circle Studio, h+h americas is an opportunity to connect with quilt shops and introduce them to my modern quilt patterns, Block of the Month programs, embroidery kits, and newest product releases. It’s also a great way to stay in touch with current stockists and see industry friends.
Packing the Car for the Drive to Chicago
Before the booth setup even began, there was the challenge of packing everything into my car for the drive from Connecticut to Chicago.
Packing a car for a trade show booth is definitely like playing a game of Tetris… which, by the way, was one of my favorite games as a kid.
Getting the booth set up and ready!
After driving for a day and half, I was ready to get into the convention center and begin set up. Here’s the view of what the booth look liked when I arrived (and dropped off the first load from the car). It was essentially a black box with a standard table and chairs that I wasn’t going to use.
Booth setup days are always a mix of excitement, problem-solving, heavy lifting, and rearranging quilts and displays until everything feels right. Little by little, the booth began coming together.
After a few hours of setup (and unloading everything from the car), the booth was almost finished. The only things left for Day 2 were the final details, including installing graphics and a last-minute trip to Target to find lights that might help brighten up the booth. What I hadn’t planned on was a large convention center graphic looming overheard that created unexpected shadows in my booth. Here is what the booth looked like at the end of Day 1:
The Finished Whole Circle Studio Booth at h+h americas 2026
By the time the show officially opened, the booth was transformed into a colorful display filled with modern quilts and embroidery projects. This year, shops could explore my:
• Modern Quilt Patterns (foundation paper piecing and more!)
• Block of the Month quilts and programs
• Embroidery Kits
• Brand New Stick & Stitch embroidery patterns inspired by some of my most popular quilt designs
Here is a quick tour of the booth:
A secret mini quilt display
I couldn’t resist bringing some of my mini quilts (and miniature furniture). I included six displays, representing the six Block of the Month/quilt pattern bundles around the back for visitors to enjoy.
My friends at Janome gifted me a miniature Janome sewing machine. While the scale might be slightly off, it’s absolutely perfect for my mini display:
Sample It! at h+h americas 2026
The night before the show officially opened, I participated in Sample It! Exhibitors set up tabletop displays filled with patterns & kits and attendees can shop the event while getting a first look at what will be featured throughout the show. It’s a fun, fast-paced (only 90 minutes!) evening and a great way for shops to discover new products and decide which booths they want to revisit once the full show begins.
For Sample It!, I shared my brand new Stick & Stitch embroidery designs inspired by some of my most popular quilt patterns, along with quilt pattern bundles and embroidery kits. It was so fun seeing people stop by the table, look through the new designs, and get excited about what I have to offer.
That’s a wrap on h+h americas 2026!
Trade shows are exhausting in the best possible way, but they’re also such a valuable reminder of how meaningful it is to connect with shop owners, fellow creatives, and the quilting community in person.
I’m so grateful to everyone who stopped by the booth, shared kind words about the quilts, placed wholesale orders, or simply introduced themselves.
