We’re incredibly excited for the inaugural Fiber+Fabric Craft Festival! Every year, during the buildup to h+h americas, we receive messages from crafters anxious to attend an event like h+h americas. These communications illustrated a real need for a consumer-focused craft festival. As the leading organization hosting the largest, most well-attended conference for all those who make a living in crafts, h+h americas feels uniquely positioned to curate a craft festival for consumers.

 

When is the Fiber+Fabric Craft Festival?

The Fiber+Fabric Craft Festival runs May 1-3, 2026, with classes starting on April 30. This positions the festival directly ahead of h+h americas 2026, which runs May 6-8, 2026, with classes starting on May 5.

 

Where is the Fiber+Fabric Craft Festival?

The Fiber+Fabric Craft Festival takes place at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, Illinois—the same location for h+h americas. Using the same location should make it easier for attendees and exhibitors to book a single hotel for both events and plan after-hours networking events at nearby arenas like Parkway Bank Park and the Allstate Arena.

Why did you schedule the Fiber+Fabric Craft Festival so close to h+h americas?

The back-to-back events invite everyone in our crafting industries and communities to gather in one space, united in a passion for handcrafts. Our goal is to make this event enjoyable, accessible, and the singular event for everyone in crafting to attend. 

Rather than splintering focus and funds across multiple disparate craft events, we hope that scheduling for a full week in May enables companies, brands, and creators to gather together and speak directly with their consumer audience at the Fiber+Fabric Craft Festival, and then with one another at h+h americas. 

Imagine the possibilities: brands can gauge interest in upcoming trends and products at the Fiber+Fabric Craft Festival, then strategize and corral their efforts with other companies at h+h americas. The events feed into and support one another, strengthening our ability to best serve the craft community!

Why should I attend the Fiber+Fabric Craft Festival?

As a company, exhibiting at the Fiber+Fabric Craft Festival provides access to the wider craft community. Brands can showcase their products and services and, as mentioned, gauge consumer interest. Companies from across the globe will exhibit at the festival; joining them raises visibility for your brand on the local, national, and international level.   

As an attendee, the Fiber+Fabric Craft Festival will showcase a wide variety of craft companies, from the eponymous fiber and fabric to paper crafts, painting, needlepoint, cosplay, beading and buttons, general crafts, and other handmade goods. 

Attendees gain access to: 

• New product showcases
• Expert-led workshops, classes, and demonstrations
• A marketplace with booths filled with craft supplies and products
• Celebrity content creators
• Interactive crafting zones for knitting, crocheting, quilting, sewing, scrapbooking, beading, garment making, and more!

 

How do I register to exhibit at the Fiber+Fabric Craft Festival?

We are now accepting exhibitor applications for the Fiber+Fabric Craft Festival. Register and reserve your booth now!

 

If I’m an exhibitor at both shows, what are my options for moving my materials between Fiber+Fabric Craft Festival and h+h americas?

Exhibitors at both shows have two options for transitioning materials between the two craft shows:

RES Move to h+h Booth (Free Service)

Prefer a hands-off approach? Simply label your items on Sunday, and RES will move them to your new h+h americas booth for free.

• This service begins on Monday morning.
• Items will be delivered directly to your assigned booth at h+h americas.
• No extra charge—it’s included for dual-show exhibitors.

Move it Yourself

Want to stay in control? You’re welcome to personally push your materials from the Fiber+Fabric Craft Festival to your h+h americas booth.

 

How do I register to attend the Fiber+Fabric Craft Festival?

 Attendee registration will open on February 2026 at fiberfabricfest.com/register. Tickets will also be made available for on-site purchases during the festival.  

 

What does it cost to attend the Fiber+Fabric Craft Festival?

There are several options for attending the Fiber+Fabric Craft Festival. In addition to traditional admission options, we’re also working on collaborations that will allow attendees to access free tickets if they support a local Chicago business as well as early bird pricing and seasonal discounts. 

Stay tuned for detailed pricing information for general admission, workshops, classes, and more coming in September 2025. 

 

How can I stay updated about the Fiber+Fabric Craft Festival?

We’re updating our audience every month with news about the festival. Make sure you’re signed up for our newsletter to be the first to hear about new developments. You can also text JOIN to +1.630.454.6656 to get exclusive deals and updates directly to your phone!