Sewing, Crafting, and Modern Quilts: QuiltCon Recap

If you love sewing, crafting, and modern quilts then QuiltCon was the place to be.  And, let me be more specific here, you don’t have to DO any sewing, crafting, or making of modern quilts to appreciate QuiltCon.

For those just now joining this conversation, QuiltCon is a quilt show that focuses on modern quilts.  Quilters send in their modern designed quilts and they are  judged by a panel of modern quilting experts.  There are several categories within the genre.   Since modern quilts use fabrics and quilting differently from traditional quilters, it gives these talented sewists the opportunity to shine among their peers.

And, some of these quilts were downright amazing.  Here are just a few:

Modern quilters tend to use fabrics more creatively to create unique designs.  Look at these in black and white.  If you step back from your computer, the quilt on the top right is a pixelated version on an eye.  How creative is that?  The one below it is a pixelated version of Ron Swanson from the TV show Parks and Recreation.

They way modern quilters use fabrics, colors, and stitching to create their designs is so far beyond my abilities.   Every aisle was full of unbelievable creativity and talent.

On the perimeter of the show were all of the vendors.  Most of the vendor booths were unremarkable, but a few stood out from the crowd. Local store, Stitch Lab (where I get lots of my fabrics) always had a crowd around their booth.  It was colorful and stocked full of cheerfull fabrics.  I could’ve stayed there all day just touching the fabrics.

Stash books was there ~ of course, I’ve never seen a book I didn’t want.  And, I especially want this book*  by Angela Yosten.  (*affiliate)It’s totally about sewing for boys and full of great ideas.  Lots of applique ~ and you know I loves me some applique.

Are you familiar with Spoonflower?  You can create your own design, upload it to Spoonflower, and they will print your fabric and send it to you.  You can also purchase fabrics that others have designed.  Spoonflower had a fun booth with a roulette wheel.  Spin the wheel and win something that they had printed.  They were also handing out swatch booklets so you could see the different types of fabrics available for printing.

All of the gals running the booth had on these cute turquoise wigs.  Totally fun booth to visit.  I spun the wheel and won a cute tea towel printed on a linen/cotton blend.  Love it!

Two of my favorites were the Moda Bake Shop and Craftsy booths.  Moda had this fun photo booth with props.  You could stand there, get a picture taken, then send it to your email or Facebook page.  It was lots of fun – we did one with mustaches that I attempted (and failed) to send to my Facebook page.

Craftsy (affiliate) had one of the best booths, in my opinion.  It was so well designed down to the last detail.  They had an iPad, a laptop, and a TV screen showcasing all of their products.  And, I want me one of those owl pillows.  I going through a serious owl addiction right now.

While all of the quilts and vendors are wonderful, the real reason for QuiltCon are the Workshops and Classes.  And there were a ton of amazing classes, demonstrations, and workshops to attend.  Some were included with the price of a ticket, some cost a little more.

Kitty and I were enrolled in a textile printing class with Lotta Jansdotter.  The small class was very intimate and Lotta was able to interact with everyone.  It was great to watch someone whose work I admire walk us through her creative process.

Here’s my masterpiece.  I was trying to recreate my logo ~ unsuccessfully.  But, we all have to start somewhere.

All in all, it was a wonderful way to spend the day…