This year, Quilt Con returned to Raleigh, North Carolina. Two years ago, when it was in Raleigh previously was my first Quilt Con experience. I hadn’t been able to attend in the past, but now that my kids are older, it’s much easier to take off for a long weekend. A huge thank you to friends who helped with school pickups and practice rides!
What Exactly is Quilt Con?
For those that haven’t heard about Quilt Con, it is a vibrant four day event featuring a quilt show, vendor hall, inspiring lectures, and a wide variety of classes. 14 years ago, when the Modern Quilt Guild (MQG) was hitting their stride with new chapters and really hitting their first big boom, Quilt Con was started.
While it attracts many professionals from the quilting community, it is fully open to the public. Even if you’re not a quilter, the stunning quilts on display showcase incredible artistry that anyone can appreciate. The show is juried, meaning hundreds of quilts are submitted but only a select few are accepted. Walking through the aisles is truly inspiring!
This year featured many politically charged and rage inspired quilts. These quilts reflect how the artists are responding to the state of the world. Some of these were extremely powerful. These quilts will serve as historical snapshots for today. I didn’t take many quilt photos, but if you search Quilt Con on Instagram, you will see many of the quilts individually. Of course, it’s not the same and they are so much more amazing in person, but you’ll get the vibe of the quilts!
What to do While You’re There
I have never taken an official class or attended a lecture at Quilt Con. The classes all fill up remarkably fast. I was on the fence on if I would be able to make it, so I missed out on registration. If the Quilt Con classes are something you may be interested in, being a member of the MQG and signing up the minute they open is your best bet. I did take a mini long-arm class with Handi Quilter on the floor. This was such a cool idea, I’ll share more about that in another post!
I volunteer during the weekend and enjoy helping out with this giant event. This year, I took on two shifts: working the official merchandise booth and white gloving. Volunteering is a fantastic way to connect with others, and if you white glove, you get the unique opportunity to touch the quilts, admire the backs, and experience them up close!
And of course the best thing about Quilt Con is the people! While meeting so many instagram friends in real life is special, some of the best things come out of waiting in lines or going to any of the surrounding restaurants alone. There’s always a table that will have room for you, and it’s such a fun way to meet other quilters. Who knows, maybe a random person waiting in line will become your new quilting hype girl!
Leave a Reply