African fabric quilt artwork representing a quilter’s creative legacy, featuring colorful patchwork and symbolic footprints that reflect purposeful quilting and a 2026 quilting roadmap.

What Is Your Quilting Footprint? A Roadmap for 2026

African culture and history| Quilting| Quilt Africa Fabrics| African Fabrics

January 07, 2026•4 min read

What Is Your Quilting Footprint?:

A Roadmap for 2026

People often talk about their carbon footprint, but as we step into this new year, I have a different question for you: Have you given any thought to your quilting footprint?

Think about the mark you are leaving through your craft. Think of the hours spent learning, the meticulous designing, the cutting, the piecing, and the layouts. Think of the investment you have made in the fabrics you love and the tools you’ve embraced.

My commitment to this community is rooted in one specific goal: I don’t want your quilting journey to be defined by stacks of unused fabrics. I want your investment in this craft to culminate in a definitive Body of Work.

Adinkra symbols on Ghanaian cloth representing African wisdom, cultural history, and symbolic meanings in textile design.

From "Puttering" to Purpose

In 2026, we are shifting our focus. We are moving away from simply "puttering" in our sewing rooms and toward creating quilts that truly express our creative voices. This isn’t about being "busy." It is about being impactful. The 2026 Roadmap: Your 5-Piece Portfolio To help you build this body of work, we have designed a strategic path for the year. You have the opportunity to create at least five major textile art pieces:

Four Quarterly Workshops: Independent projects designed to challenge your skills.

The "Echoes of Heritage" BOM: A significant work that anchors your collection.

Imagine ending 2026 with a minimum of five quilts made with vibrant African fabrics—each one a unique interpretation of a brief, each one full of visual impact, and each one a testament to your skill and excellence.

Close-up of Ghanaian Adinkra cloth featuring symbolic patterns that convey African heritage, proverbs, and cultural identity.

An Anchor in Uncertain Times

2025 ended in global chaos, but we are choosing to build. This year, my mission is twofold: helping you create your 5-piece Body of Work, and founding the Nigerian Quilters Guild.

On January 24th, we hold our first meeting to kick off the Guild. This will be the vehicle for our upcoming exhibitions and the home for AfroModernism in Africa. Whether you are a playful hobbyist or an intense artist, you are no longer just quilting in isolation—you are part of a founding movement.

Traditional Ghanaian Adinkra symbols printed on cloth, illustrating African philosophy, history, and visual storytelling.

The Journey Begins Now

Putting your focus on your projects—on creating something tangible and beautiful—will ground you. It keeps your life moving forward toward a tangible impact. It allows you to do something you love while building a legacy that lasts.

Whether you consider yourself a high-intensity artist or a playful hobbyist, this roadmap is for you. This is your year to speak through art in your authentic voice.

What is the one story or goal you want your "Quilting Footprint" to tell by the end of this year?

African Adinkra symbols on cloth showcasing Ghanaian textile art, cultural symbolism, and traditional storytelling through fabric.

If you’re looking for a guided way to turn that intention into a body of work, Echoes of Heritage: Where African Stories Meet Modern Quilting was created with exactly that purpose in mind.

Join a 12month appliqué adventure , secure your spot in the 2026 Block of the Month:

The 2026 BOM, "Echoes of Heritage," blends clean figural silhouettes with backgrounds of strong, modern curves using machine appliqué. A key feature is the exclusive Cultural Storytelling sessions, where we explore the deep history and meaning behind the fabrics and figures you stitch.

More details here: https://bom.quiltafricafabrics.com/2026-bom-home

Echoes of Heritage BOM 2026 African-inspired quilt combining heritage motifs, modern appliqué, and storytelling through fabric.

Explore more from Quilt Africa Fabrics

A blog header graphic with the text “Insight Meets Inspiration—Join Miriam Galadima Benson and Dynamic Voices in the Quilting Community,” featuring vibrant African textiles and quilting elements that highlight creativity, culture, and community.

Join us on YouTube for the full Uncut Live experience: https://youtube.com/@quiltafricafabrics

Discover Adire Story Cloths

Each fabric tells a tale. Handcrafted by Yoruba artisans, our authentic Adire Batik fabrics bring heritage, beauty, and inspiration to your quilting and sewing projects. Perfectly curated to carry tradition into your creative journey.

https://quilt-africa-fabrics.myshopify.com/collections/the-story-cloths-adire-african-batik

Explore more high quality African fabrics here: https://quilt-africa-fabrics.myshopify.com/collections

Learn From Leo Ransom Here: https://workshop.quiltafricafabrics.com/home-leo-ransom

Learn Here: https://workshop.quiltafricafabrics.com/care-of-african-fabrics-every-quilter

What an incredible gathering it was!

The Quilt Africa Summit 2025 brought together quilters from all over the world for 3 unforgettable days of inspiration, creativity, and connection. From hands-on workshops and live demonstrations to vibrant showcases of African fabrics, the summit truly celebrated the artistry and stories woven into every stitch. 🌍🧵

💻 You can still experience the magic! All sessions and replays are available for you to watch inside the Summit Portal.

👉 Start your summit review here:

https://summit.quiltafricafabrics.com/2025-international-summit

Quilt Africa International Summit Experience

Be sure to follow us on our socials to keep updated on our latest deals and events:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/quiltafricafabrics/

Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/quiltafricafabrics/?_rdc=1&_rdr##

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/miriam_quiltafricafabrics

Miriam Galadima Benson

As an African who was not familiar with the process of modern day quilting, Miriam was fascinated with photos of the beautiful quilts displayed in Pinterest. This led her to take the plunge and create her first quilt in 2016, using online resources as there are no quilt shops in her country. As an architect, the creative process of quilting was familiar and she loved the fact that she could incorporate her culture. The process of creating that first quilt using the fabrics of her heritage led to the start of her business, Quilt Africa Fabrics. The scarcity of resources on quilting with African Fabrics was the deciding factor in birthing the African Fabrics Movement and launching the annual Quilt Africa Fabrics Online Show and the virtual Quilt Africa Fabrics Guild/BOM. She considers herself honored and blessed to be accepted by the quilting community. She views her business as a vehicle for introducing and supplying the beautiful, bold and exciting fabrics of Africa to quilters and textile artists the world over. Miriam lives in Abuja, the capital city of Nigeria in Western Africa with her husband and 3 children who are very much a part of the African Fabrics Movement.

Back to Blog