1 - QuiltCon 2022

You might be expecting a QuiltCon recap blog post, but I need time to work out how to arrange quilt pictures! I returned home to Central Florida from Phoenix, at midnight last night (Monday), so today has been about "processing" the event; and unpacking, sorting, and laundry. 

Being one of the first 1,000 people to register for QuiltCon, online last summer, meant that when I arrived at the event and checked-in, I received a swag bag from QuiltCon sponsors. Not only were all the goodies in a cool "Desert Cacti" bag, but several items will be downright useful.

Quilter's Dream batting is my favorite, and QD generously gave each of us a crib size batt of select loft; a pink print fat quarter will suit my Glitter quilt; threads will be nice for piecing; and Flatter iron spray is always useful. 

My purchases from QuiltCon vendors weren't too over-the-top. I went with a shopping list, and was able to buy everything except Aurifil threads.

What I did get are (from left to right): a few fat quarters; yardage of a lovely palm print double gauze (you'll soon see me wearing it); a box and more of size 8 Wonderfil perle cotton; two different brands of natural-colored linen - Essex and Moda - and an orange striped linen; and, (at the bottom) Heat and Bond for the "Seaglass" quilt I plan to make; hand and machine quilting needles; and needle threaders. 

My friend Deb, asked me to take pictures of the Wonderfil booth. IMO, it was one of the best booths and always had a line when I walked past.  

By Saturday, the Wonderfil Eleganza (size 8 perle cotton) display case had many "out of stock" colors. (Seems like the busiest vendor day was Friday.) Handwork was evident in QuiltCon quilts, with lots of them showing off big stitch, Kantha, and Kawandi-type stitching.

I also purchased QuiltCon magazine, as I have at every QuiltCon I've attended. This was my fifth show. 

Inside, I knew I'd find a picture and write-up of my 2019 temperature quilt. It's a huge honor to have a quilt in this publication. 

At the awards ceremony... 

I'll just say that the awards ceremony delivered surprising results. Several of us observed that the definition of "modern" is apparently changing. You can go here to decide for yourself whether winning quilts met the MQG's definition of modern:

"Modern quilts are primarily functional and inspired by modern design. Modern quilters work in different styles and define modern quilting in different ways, but several characteristics often appear which may help identify a modern quilt. These include but are not limited to: the use of bold colors and prints, high contrast and graphic areas of solid color, improvisational piecing, minimalism, expansive negative space, and alternate grid work. 'Modern traditionalist' or the update of classic quilt designs is also often seen in modern quilting."

Quilts with borders; feather quilting; and buttons as embellishment, were among several unexpected characteristics. I talked with an MQG staffer and suggested that the MQG offer a webinar with a panel of "experts" who could converse about what's currently considered modern. No doubt it's a moving target, but such information would be helpful - to recognize what's on trend, and have those characteristics explained. 

I found myself more interested in non-winning quilts, and will share those in my next post.

As always, the best part of QuiltCon is gathering with friends. It was a happy surprise to find that six, of nine of us from Central Florida MQG, stayed at the same hotel! Gathering for breakfast was as much fun as the show!  

More to come! Linda