For me, the one word which describes the whole experience is joyful. The big feels of community, inclusion, and kindness are top of mind even a few weeks later. The time spent with good friends, inspiration overload, and the overall kindness and cheerfulness of everyone is like a warm hug.
So what are my fondest memories as I reflect a few weeks later?
Seeing my quilt
Patent Pending in the show and grabbing a fun photo with as many of the contributors at once whose schedules supported. There was so much laughter and joy, it made me so happy. These folks are the best and it made me so happy when they agreed to collaborate. (
Read more about my quilt in the show on this post.)
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Six of the seven friends who contributed were at the show and we had great fun grabbing photos. Linda @florishingpalms, Kitty @nightquilter, Charles @feltlikesweets, Val @valbetweenquilts, and Me (kneeling). Not pictured in this group photo are Pat @peacockcreekdesigns and Sarah @saroy but I grabbed individual shots. Sadly Yvonne @quiltingjetgirl wasn't able to attend. |
Sharing an Airbnb with three friends - so many laughs, great quilt discussions, and just general discussion about life and family. It was amazing to actually see Kristin in real life after doing three QALs together. (Note to future self - make sure to get a group picture of all roommates together.)
Walking the show floor, inspired by all the quilts and techniques, moved by some of the writeups, meeting friends, fellow guild members or random people and talking about what we liked about the quilt we were standing in front of.
Chawne Kimber's keynote - funny, warm, thought provoking - and the emotional impact of her quilts.
(See my Instagram post.) Chawne is an amazing person and I'm glad I've had the opportunity to meet her several years ago and enjoy her quilts again at this show.
Things I would like to try after seeing the show (in no particular order) -
- a two color improv quilt (my Dance Like No One is Watching mini was a trial piece)
- experiment with larger shapes and bold colors
- incorporate more hand quilting into my finish quilts - one of my favorite bits on quilts was a mix of hand quilting and machine quilting
- another group quilt (although perhaps one that isn't quilt as complicated!)
Notes to my future self (in no particular order) -
- Shop the vendor floor late in the day to avoid the crowds and the noise
- Volunteer again during registration - it is fun and exhausting all mixed together
- However, think twice about signing up for a 7 am volunteer slot (that was an early wake-up time!)
- Take a break for a cup of tea and a chat with a friend every day
- Grab more photos with friends (those are the ones I cherish, not the show quilt photos)
QuiltCon is so much more than the show itself. It is about the people - those who create the art and the story behind theirs quilts and every person you share the experience with.
Counting down the days to QuiltCon 2024 in Raleigh!
Have a wonderful day!
Patty