I’m back from my first QuiltCon 2023 in Atlanta, Georgia!
This event seems to bring out strong feelings in quilters. Whether you attend in person or follow along virtually, it can be an overwhelming event. I’ve certainly felt that way over the past 8 years that I’ve followed the event from home.
Since this was my first time joining in person, my main goal in attending was to meet people. Even more than seeing the quilts, in fact, the quilts were at the bottom of my priority list! I wanted to get out and finally speak with like-minded people who are as passionate about this fiber art as I am 😊 And I’m thrilled to say that I succeeded. It was glorious to meet all the creative people I’ve been connected with virtually for years now.
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Meeting you at QuiltCon 2023
It was also a little surreal meeting so many of you. I know we connect here regularly but seeing you and having the chance to just talk and laugh and hug was the BEST. I love that I now have a visual to associate with your name.
You had such lovely things to say about the weekly newsletter (sign up here) which warmed my heart to no end. I always try to make each newsletter joyful and inspiring for your inbox and hearing that’s how it feels to you too is just so heartwarming. I like to call it the circle of joy 😉
The goodies I picked up
I left space in my carry-on for the very purpose of picking up some goodies while at QuiltCon 2023. What I didn’t expect was to pick up a mug! Here’s a peek at what I purchased
Ruby Star Society
I walked into Ruby Star Society’s QuiltCon booth and instantly zeroed in on this adorable yellow butterfly mug handmade by Alexia Marcelle Abegg.
A mug was not on my radar. A t-shirt, like my Seam Reaper, definitely but a mug? Not so much.
So happy I snagged the only one I saw on the shelf.
Little House Cottons
It was early morning on Day 1 of QuiltCon and I was walking the second-floor vendor hall when I was halfway walking past the Little House Cottons booth and the cuteness lured me in. The name and the handmade quilted sign were just so adorable, and I said so to the owner. It’s not my typical go-to prints, but I was curious, and the first thing I did?
I asked if I could feel the fabric!
Kristen encouraged me to give it a feel and oh my! I’m sure I gasped and groaned all the same time! This fabric is beyond soft. I really wish you could just reach out and touch these pretties. I was so enamored that, on my second visit to the booth, I literally told everyone they had to feel the fabric. It’s that yummy!
Sarah Hearts
The other unexpected purchase was these cute labels. The plants instantly caught my eye, and I couldn’t get them out of my mind. I made a point to revisit Sarah Hearts’ booth and grab this pack. Even my hubz thought they were adorable 😉
And that’s it, that’s everything I bought! I felt I was restrained, but it still took me a minute to Tetris my suitcase so it would all fit!
The quilts that caught my eye at QuiltCon
There were over 500 quilts hanging at QuiltCon this year, which is quite the number to take in.
Here’s a quick round-up of some of the quilts that caught my eye as I walked the floor.
The quilts pictured in the video include (in order of appearance):
- Sky Top 2 by Nancy Lambert
- Entangle by Emilie Trahan
- Gingko by Andrea of 3rd Story Workshop (pattern available here)
- Outbound by Michelle Bartholomew
- Old Pine by Stephanie Forster
- Log Cabin Schoolhouse by Hillary Goodwin
- Avalanche by Caroline @geometricquilt
- Meringue by Yvonne from Quilting Jet Girl
- No 35 Collage – Egg and Spoon Race by Sarah Hibbert
- Influencing by Lauren Klementz-Harte
- Back in Therapy by Laura Hartrich
- Soaring by Rosalind Haywood
- Convergence
- Criminal Quilting by Carmen Walker
- Stars Above by Megan Collins (pattern available here)
Seeing your work
One of the things that warmed my heart was seeing your work!
Amanda, from Broadcloth Studio, and I were so beyond thrilled that Petra submitted her 30-Days of Improv QAL quilt and won second prize! How cool is that?! We couldn’t be more proud!
While sitting and having drinks at the Westin with the team from Soak Wash, I turned around and noticed an Etched Diamond Quilt x Hovea Coat in the wild! I couldn’t resist walking up and introducing myself to Mary. Honestly, I think we were both so excited to meet one another.
Lessons I learned from my first QuiltCon
Interestingly, I expected to come back from QuiltCon 2023 with a serious case of comparisonitis but it had the opposite effect.
It reminded me that we’re all on our own creative journeys and we’re each bringing something unique to the table. I always like to say that life would be so boring if we all loved and did the same thing. It’s our own special flare that keeps things interesting.
It also reminded me that I’m on this creative journey for the long haul. It doesn’t matter if I’m having a prolific creative period or whether I’m in an introspective, gathering period – they’re all moments that lead me further along my path.
I hope this encourages you to see your own quilting journey from a new perspective, one that recenters it on what you want to explore and discover 😊
Happy quilting!
xo
Shannon
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It was so cool meeting you unexpectedly while standing in line to get in! I so enjoyed chatting with you & how we can continue chasing in the future that was the best part of QuiltCon—meeting people you admire & follow online and putting a face to a name.
Meeting you in line was such a lovely way to kick off QuitCon, Lisa! I was just looking at your card yesterday 😃 and love that I could put a face to your name!! 💕
I am so, so glad that you mention that you did not come home with comparisonitis. I find that the joy of connecting with quilters in person and seeing and celebrating everyone’s journey and arc is exciting, too. Hooray for all the lovely meet ups you were able to make, and one day I look forward to meeting you in real life, too!
I can’t wait for the day, Yvonne! Especially when I spotted your quilt I wished even more that you were there to show her off 💛 here’s to celebrating our individual Quilty flare!
This was great Shannon. Thanks so much. What did you think of the quilting? Particularly the hand quilting? At my first Quiltcon that was huge for me as there were so many straight lines.
There were some amazing quilts with handquilted details. There was one in particular that caught my eye where the hand quilted details didn’t do through to the back. This was impressive given how tight the machine quilting was that she was layering on top of. Super cool!
I agree meeting so many people from all over the world and sharing our quilt path is absolutely the best part of QuiltCon. This year was even more fun because it felt okay to hug each other and see faces. I don’t feel I have comparisonitis either. Just happy to celebrate the amazing quilts on display!
I’m sorry I didn’t get to meet you as Flight Path is one of my most recent finishes & it is now living in the UK. It was fun to take photos of it in Scotland!
I’m so sad we missed one another, Tish 😭 we’ll have to coordinate in advance before the next one so we don’t miss out! And hugs are the best! I kept looking for those green stickers and then diving in for a hug 🤗🤗
This year was my first Quiltcon as well! Although I have been sewing “all my life”, i really began to seriously follow quilting during the pandemic. The 2020 Quilt Along was my first stab at following lt patterns and introduced me to you and so many other quilts and pattern makers. I am so grateful to you and all of the other designers of that quilt for grabbing me and beginning my journey as a modern quilter. Wish I had run into you! I surely would have hugged you if I had seen that cot in the crowd!
I love that participating in Quiltmas sparked a renewed interest in quilting, Pat! It’s all about encouraging everyone to quilt for fun 🙌💛 wish our paths would have crossed at QuiltCon.
So nice to see you at QuiltCon! I came home feeling inspired to create! I brought home a few goodies too, including some cute labels from Sarah. I just spent the weekend at a guild retreat and accomplished lots. I learned how to make rope bowls in one of the booths at QuiltCon and made a few on the weekend…I think I have a new addiction…. Hope to see you again sometime. Take care.
I’m so happy to hear you came back from QuiltCon inspired to create, Gail!! That’s such a glorious feeling to be excited to create 😊 Those rope bowls look super fun to make and use!! I can see how they’d be addictive to make 💗💗
Dear Shannon,
Thank you for this great Quiltcon recap. Loved the little “videos” – it’s great to show all the aspects of the experience.
Thanks from one who couldn’t join in the fun (had to babysit grandkids but that was fun), I even had to connect through ATL on Sunday…….but it was too late.
Laurie
I’m so happy the recap was enjoyable, Laurie! I’d say babysitting your grandkids is a fabulous reason for missing QuiltCon. Nothing beats spending time with family!!
So nice to see you at QuiltCon! I came home feeling inspired to create! I brought home a few goodies too, including some cute labels from Sarah. I just spent the weekend at a guild retreat and accomplished lots. I learned how to make rope bowls in one of the booths at QuiltCon and made a few on the weekend…I think I have a new addiction…. Hope to see you again sometime. Take care.
Next time we’ll have to plan a little better so we can have a coffee together, Gail!