Six Sleeps Until QuiltCon! / Beauties Pageant 246

** The quilts pictured are pieces of mine that have shown at previous QuiltCons **

Preparation for QuiltCon is in full swing at From Bolt to Beauty world headquarters, and I’m getting really excited for the conference!

If you’re not familiar with this event or not a member of the Modern Quilt Guild (MQG), you may be wondering what all the fuss is about. A quilt show is a quilt show, right? To be honest, I have limited experience and haven’t had the opportunity to change that locally: MQX, a show in New Hampshire I used to attend, has shut down, as has the Vermont Quilt Festival.

From my experience, QuiltCon is a different beast altogether. I’ve seen shows where organizers have fit as many projects as possible on panels throughout the space. That is not QuiltCon. There, quilts are treated like works of art. The space is big and open and well lit. Truly, if it weren’t for the adjacent vendor booths and presentation stages, you would think you were in an art gallery.

And the teachers are the best known and most innovative in the field. This year’s offering includes everyone from Sarah Bond and Jen Carlton Bailly, to Jo Avery and Veruschka Zarate.

If you’re considering attending a future QuiltCon, go for it! Here are some things to consider ...

1. Sign up when registration opens, and stay at your computer. It isn’t easy to get coveted spots in popular workshops. To have the best shot at signing up for the classes you want, be on the QuiltCon website when it opens for registrations. I did, but I walked away from my computer. When I returned, I was 1,800th in line. Blerg!

2. Lectures are a great value. One-hour lectures are less than $20. I signed up for several in Raleigh. If something comes up and I decide to bail on one, a $20 loss is no big deal—I consider it a donation to the MQG.

3. Plot with your people. One of the best parts of the QuiltCon experience for me is meeting and spending time with far-flung friends, most of whom I know from social media. Going into QuiltCon 2024, I’ve made dinner reservations and planned meet-ups to make the most of my time to socialize in Raleigh.

4. Enjoy the planning. You might remember that I’m making snarky friendship bracelets to trade with other conference-goers. I’m also wrapping up a bag project to sport while walking the show floor, and I know friends who are working on garments and such to show off in Raleigh.

5. Prepare for a rough re-entry. It’s never easy to get back into the swing of everyday life after time away. QuiltCon is especially exhausting for me. I’m introverted, and all that socializing is exhausting. It takes me a few not-so-busy days at home to feel more like myself again.

If you are going to QuiltCon, look me up! I’d love to chat with you!

Tula Fabric Sale

I am helping a friend sell 19 bolts of Tula Pink fabric. Everything is $10 per yard plus shipping. If you need more Tula in your stash, the easiest way to view the bolts is to check out my destash account on Instagram (@fbtbdestash), indicating the amount you want on the corresponding post(s). If you’re not on IG but need some of these beauties, drop me an email at frombolttobeauty [at] gmail [dot] com, and I’ll fill you in on the details. : )

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