QuiltCon in Review: 1

There's just something about QuiltCon.

What can I say but, "It was another fabulous event!" For someone who's never attended a QuiltCon, it's difficult to explain how and why it's so much different -  better - than other quilt shows.

QuiltCon displays more modern, artistic quilts. . 

It's also a much more social event than other shows, and inevitable that you'll run into people you already know.

L-R: Cheryl Ash, me, Cindy Grisdella @cindygrisdellaquilts

It's inevitable you'll meet quilters with whom you have something in common; and that you'll make new friends.

Esther Frenzel @ipatchandquilt of the Netherlands

And you'll find yourself hugging more quilters than you do family members! 

L-R: Anne @anne.gould.35; Candi @candipursuits; me

There's just something about QuiltCon.

Quilts displayed are much more than simply quilts. Designs are always original and unique; visually stimulating; thought-provoking; and often prompt questions like "How did they do that?"

I'd love to share all of the more than 500 photos I took at QuiltCon, so in my next few posts I'll do my best.

Award-winning quilts can be seen here, on the QuiltCon website. Mostly, I'll focus on those that didn't win awards... like mine.

Below are my two QuiltCon-accepted quilts, numbers 16 and 17 in eight QuiltCons. 

Benched appeared in the Transparency Challenge category. Truth be told, it's not a favorite, but I am honored it was accepted. 

I especially enjoy seeing people perusing it and taking photos. That warms my heart.

 

Pot Luck appeared in the Group Quilt category. Blocks for Pot Luck came from 16 contributors, seven of whom were at QuiltCon for this group photo. 

Standing L: Charlotte @kirkenoll
Kneeling L-R: Sherry @otterbeequitling; Candi @candipursuits;
Kathy @kathycookquilts; Debbie @aquilterstable
Standing L-R: me, and Patty @elmstreetquiilts

Our group quilt (left) was displayed near the third place-winning group quilt Paloma (right), made by several friends in the South Florida MQG.

Their process for making this quilt was intriguing.

L: Charlotte @kirkenoll; R: Debby S.

Each person was tasked with making 11 components for a face. For example, one person would make a hair section; a right eye section; a left eye section; lips section, and such, to total 11 sections. That person would NOT sew together the sections. Rather, she mailed the sections to one person who collected them all, and then laid them out for assembly.

Cathy @cwi1sOncot put the blocks together, and Charlotte @kirkenoll hand-quilted the whole quilt. Isn't that a creative way to approach a group quilt? 

The Best in Show quilt, Dignity, was made by Veruschka Zarate and deserved the $10,000 prize money. With permission from the original artist of this design, Veruschka spent three years making it using the foundation paper piecing technique.

Not only was it stunning from the front, but look at the back! 

Incredible. I overheard her say it was challenging to align the front and back on her longarm. 

Speaking with the Modern Quilt Guild director, Karen Cooper, I kiddingly told her that I hoped this winning quilt wouldn't set a new standard for judged modern quilts - quilts that must include a backing as stunning as the front! I could never measure-up!

I attended QuiltCon Phoenix in 2022. What wasn't in Phoenix in 2022 was this mode of transportation - Waymo - a driverless service.

Though I didn't ride in one, it was fascinating to see them in action.

Watching a driverless car at a stop light, wait for pedestrians in the crosswalk before turning... it was a bit disconcerting. Though I learned from friends who rode in one, it's also disconcerting as a passenger! 

Good Morning Mom! appeared in the minimalist category. Doesn't it make you smile? This quilt was my vote for People's Choice, though it didn't receive it. Good Morning Mom! is 56 " x 63" and was made by Canadian Cristina De Miranda @shipsandviolins.

There's just something about QuiltCon. Linda