I just got back from attending QuiltCon for the first time and oh my goodness, it was amazing! I wasn't sure what to expect, but I'm so glad that I went.
If you haven't been before, QuiltCon is put on by the Modern Quilt Guild each year in February. This year, the event was held at the Phoenix Convention Center in Arizona. I have family in the Phoenix area and it's not too bad of a drive from where I am in New Mexico, so it was a pretty easy trip for me.
The event was held in a huge venue with half of the room set up with vendor booths and the other half was full of quilts on display. Other various rooms in the building were used for classes, workshops, and meetups.
My top highlights and favorite things from the weekend:
Meeting Quilty Friends!
This was my very favorite part of QuiltCon! It was wonderful to meet so many of my Instagram friends in person! Meal times were great because that's when we really had time to just talk and get to know each other better. Many of us brought stickers or other little things to swap, which was super neat!
I was so caught up in the moment most of the time that I didn't remember to take very many photos. Hopefully what I have to share will give you a taste of how great a time this was.
I absolutely loved getting to hang out with Becca of Becca Plymale Creative. She is a genuine friend and always so fun to be around. The vest I'm wearing features a hot air balloon block which is her design!
Left to right, there's Christine of Modern Charm Stitchery, Verna of The Vintage Spool, Colleen of Good With Sugar, Sydney of Stuff Sydney Sews, and me. I really enjoyed our lunches and am so blessed to learning from and creating alongside these talented women!
Not a new friend, but still a very special person: Above is me with my sister-in-law. She made this incredible back panel for her denim jacket by weaving together strips of batiks! She finished it the night before QuiltCon and would you believe it's no-sew?!
Not only did I get to see my Instagram friends in real life, but I also got to see several quilts hanging in booths that were made by friends, with their patterns for sale! I was gushing over all their beautiful work! I tested or tech edited these patterns too, which made it that much more special to me.
My sweet friend, Dana of Colt and Lamb, and I (above) are standing in front of the Callie Quilt, which was designed by our friend Kaycee of Sew and Sew Quilting Co. Kaycee couldn't be at QuiltCon this year, but we were sure to take a pic with her quilt and send it to her!
Dana also had a quilt on display at the French Fry Quilt Co. booth! Below is her Stitched in Starlight pattern that had just been released that week!
My good friend, Sydney, is below showing off her stunning scrappy Marguerite Quilt! The Cut Once Quilts booth had templates to go along with her pattern!
I also had the pleasure of meeting lots of new friends and people within the industry. The quilting community is incredibly warm I just kept thinking, "These are my people!". Everyone was very kind and willing to chat and made me feel welcome.
Taking Veruschka Zarate's FPP Class
As soon as I saw that Veruschka of Pride & Joy Quilting was teaching at QuiltCon, I knew I wanted to take her class. I've admired her work for so long and would love to be able to make her Joan of Arc pattern someday. I have made a couple simple FPP patterns before, but I didn't feel proficient at all, so I jumped at the chance to learn from the best.
Veruschka's class did not disappoint. She is the sweetest person and an excellent teacher. I went into the class having very little knowledge of how to sew FPP and I left with the confidence that, with practice, I can tackle that Joan of Arc.
The icing on the cake was that Veruschka's quilt, Dignity, won Best in Show this year! I spent a good deal of time just admiring her work, all the pieces and colors, and the meaning behind it all.
Participating in the MQG Mini Quilt Swap
Several months ago, I signed up to participate in the Mini Quilt Swap. I've done quilt swaps before, but this would be the first one with which I would get to meet my partner in real life.
Based on my partner's preferences and my own style, I made a mini quilt using four 9" flower block patterns from Burlap and Blossom. I added a bit of beading detail to each block. I just love how bright and happy it turned out!
My partner, Karla, and I got to know each other over email in the months leading up to QuiltCon. It was such a fun experience to meet her at the swap event and be able to give and receive our quilts face to face. The quilt she made me is spectacular! I feel so honored to be on the receiving end of such a thoughtful and carefully made work of art. Karla made me a "slasher quilt" and quilted it with such precision and detail. It is a treasure, as is Karla, and I'm so thankful to have been partnered with her.
Shopping 🛍️
Okay, we all know that a big part of the QuiltCon fun is shopping all the vendors. There were SO many booths! I had a great time just browsing and seeing all the beautiful quilt samples, fabric, notions, and trinkets.
I actually didn't buy any fabric at all! I went more for the things that I thought were fun, but wouldn't normally splurge to purchase. I got some really cute webbing from Stitch Supply Co., a fancy tailor's clapper from Modern American Vintage, enamel pins from Maker Valley, and a few other cute stickers and little things that caught my eye. My favorite find is this adorable pair of quilt block earrings! They are handmade by Sydni Carlson and I got them at the French Fry Quilt Co. booth.
It's very easy to get carried away and spend a ton of money, so I had to consciously remind myself to keep my credit card in check. 😂
The Quilts!
Obviously, this post wouldn't be complete without a mention of the quilts! I do have a confession, though- I didn't really take photos of the quilts. 😆 I took a couple of ones I thought my kids would like, but I don't think the photos would do them justice. Maybe it's terrible that I didn't take more photos, but I mainly just enjoyed taking in all the beauty in the moment. There were honestly so many quilts and the talent was overwhelming.
I walked through the exhibit a few times and noticed new details each time and walked way very inspired to create!
QuiltCon was just an incredible experience from start to finish. I loved every minute and am so grateful for all the connections that I made there. I would say it was definitely worth it and would highly recommend making the trip one year if you can!