Okay, I have to admit… when the Modern Quilt Guild announced QuiltCon dates over a year ago, I made a completely refundable hotel reservation but didn’t think I was going to really go. Wow—so much quilty goodness has happened in the last year that I couldn’t imagine NOT going!
For those who don’t know what QuiltCon is, check out the website. Familiar with the concept of ComicCon? Essentially QuiltCon is the quilting nerd’s version of this. Modern quilters and fans of modern quilting from all over the world will be there. Essentially it’s workshops, lectures, classes, vendors, show and parties all wrapped into 4+ days.
I’m incredibly excited and slightly anxious. By the time I get home next Monday, I’m prepared to be a little overwhelmed, starstruck and exhausted. But, did I mention how incredibly excited I am?!?!?
Here’s a run down of what I’ll be up to/the highlights:
• last year I applied to be a QuiltCon Super Volunteer and was accepted. I got some pretty cool tasks, including helping to set up the show/conference on Wednesday (before everything starts on Thursday) and being a workshop assistant on Friday. Hmmm… can’t wait to see who I get paired up with!
• I was notified in December that three of my quilts were accepted into the show! This is my first juried show and I couldn’t be more excited and proud to be included. In addition, I designed and made part of my local modern quilt guild’s charity quilt that will be on display at the show.
• I’m taking two workshops. One by the quilters of Gee’s Bend. If you don’t know about them, you should! Read about them here. I’m also taking a hand applique workshop with one of my most favorite quilt and fabric designers, Carolyn Friendlander
• I’m signed up for a bunch of lectures, including one about the use of negative space in quilts by the co-founder and Executive Director of the Modern Quilt Guild, Alissa Haight Carlton. I was over the moon when Alissa emailed me last week to ask if she could include a photo one of my quilts in her presentation as an example.
• Oh… and I almost forgot! The special issue of Modern Patchwork/Quiltcon Magazine debuts at Quiltcon. The issue will be on newsstands in early March and includes my very first published quilt pattern, Picnic Petals. I couldn’t wait to receive it in the mail after the show, so I pre-ordered a copy and will be picking it up in Austin!
The plan is to “report live” from QuiltCon through Whole Circle Studio’s Facebook page, Instagram and Twitter. Once I’m back I’ll be doing a blog (or multiple) posts to recap. To get the live updates, click on the these links to get to my pages and then follow/like:
As for today, I’m trying to chill at home before I fly out tonight. I want to be prepared to take it all in and savor every minute.
