This year was my first time at QuiltCon. And I can’t say that I wasn’t tired. Truth be told it was utterly exhausting – sleep deprivation from the long flight, jetlag of seven hours difference and all those visual impacts or stories to absorb… But what it was even more is exiting, joyous, encouraging, loving…
I loved seeing the exhibition – which I did in small bites over all the four days because it is a lot to take in and I wanted my time to appreciate all the lovely works. And even more so, I loved meeting friends from Instagram, talking to complete strangers that where not really strangers because we are all quilters. Starting from the bus from the airport to the convention center, the hallways, the lunch breaks… The fun it was to spot your heroes and how much like the superhero you felt, when you were spotted yourself :)
What I will most remember about QuiltCon is the excited energy & the friendliness and kindness of all the people I met and talked to!
I have divided my recap of QuiltCon into two posts. It seemed artificial to post them on different days but it was too much content for just post. In this one I will talk about the exhibition, my favorite quilts and such. You can find more about my schedule aka my workshops & lectures in the first part.
Exhibition
The Show
It is a huge exhibition and on my first day I only managed two rows up and down until my brain was on overload. I realized it was simply not who I am to take them all in at once, so I then and there decided I should do me and divided my tour through the display into four – for all my days. I really wanted to appreciate them! Not to say, you can’t do it in one day :)
(our) charity quilt of the German Modern Quilters
Likewise I could not pick my favorite quilts while I was there. My brain needed time to absorb, to rest in between. Now that I have had a good night’s sleep and took the time to look through all my pictures again – 507 of them – here are my favorites.
But before we get there a short note: I love that a lot of favorites showed up on Instagram. And if you were not there yourself, take a hot tea or coffee and some chocolate, sit on the couch and also look through the #quiltcon2020 hashtag. You will see many of the quilts. Some come up again and again but I also stumble upon some I can’t remember seeing or that maybe I didn’t favor but someone else did. We all have different tastes, preferences and that is ok. It is good this way, even necessary!
And to see all the QuiltCon2020 winners, click here.
Favorites
My Personal Top Ten
Number 1:
Zenith by Cassandra I Beaver @cassandra.beaver in Improvisation
I was repeatedly drawn to this quilt. As often I am not sure, what makes this quilt klick more than others, but I think it is for one the colors but also the beautiful details in the quilting.
Number 2:
Triangle Color Study III Nicholas R Ball by @quiltsfromtheattic in Improvisation
I loved this quilt on Instagram and did so in real life too :)
Bob by Patti Coppock @patticoppock in Minimalist Design
Just so funny and won the People’s Choice award – deserved in my humble opinion.
Who needs words to tell a story: A day in the life of a quilter by Tulsa Modern Quilt Guild @tulsamqg in Charity Quilts
This idea is genius. It was fun to watch other people read it. When they read it out loud, the wording was almost identical, sort of a proof that we really all read this in a similar manner.
Number 5:
Nevermore by Cambridge Modern Quilt Guild @cambridgemodernquiltguild in Charity Quilts
I do not know the poem but I love the visual of this raven. The intricate design and piecing and that fantastic embellishment for the eye.
Number 6:
Blossom Burst by Sarah Lefebvre @sidestitches in Piecing
I like the improv-y nature but that it has done that in a very geometrical way.
Bathroom Quilt by Lynn E Stuart in Minimalist Design
(no Instagram handle on info)
I loved that first moment where you are not sure what it is.
My brain on technology by Emma J Costa in Youth Quilts
(no Instagram handle on info)
Very impressive quilt for this category and so funny but true.
I believe in this quilt by Ruthmann Grace in Modern Traditionalism
(no Instagram handle on info)
Totally not my colors but something is grabbing me…
Details
Beautiful & Heartbreaking Elements
It was really hard to pick only 10 favorites. And probably if you asked me to do it again in a few months, I would pick a few differently. And that is ok. But it also makes me want to add a few more quilts or details that I liked. So here we go:
here is a link to a blog post and here her Instagram @bimbambuki_blog
thanks for sending me the links, because I forgot to photograph the info page
I love map quilts and in this one the maker appliqued satin ribbon for the streets.
Impossible Connections (1) by Jennifer Cooke @raeburnink in Minimalist Design
A very minimalistic design, only done by quilting – here in a detail shot.
Change of direction by MQG Victoria in Charity Quilts
As minimalistic but from the Charity Quilt section. The description was awesome and could have been me. An ‘Oops!’ for changing things because you got ‘too last minute’.
And then we have a few of the political quilts. I seemed to have a keen interest in them. I would say liked them, but it seems wrong to say you like something when it is often pointing to such sad and heartbreaking topics.
Most quilts are comforting, others may make you uncomfortable, both are important (…) source
In memoriam: Tamir Rice by Thomas Knauer @thomasknauer in Appliqué
Amazing contrast between the bold newsletter headline and the traditional wholecloth quilting design.
There is something between us by Heidi Parkes @heidi.parkes in Handwork
The text is very jolting and although you can only really see the black on the photographes, there are so many more sentences stitched into the quilt in white or pale colors.
believe women by Emily R Robbins @project.light_emily in Appliqué
This quilt makes the hairs of my arms stand up!
Here is the full description:
Recent political events and the #metoo movement remind us that we’ve created a culture where women have to fight to be heard or believed. This quilt’s question is simple, but it asks something of you. It requires you to come closer and engage, and when you do, you’ll see in the quilting common refrains we hear from sexual assault survivors. If you aren’t willing to engage, you will miss the power of their stories. Engage. Listen. Act.
Sorry, to end this with such a somber note. I hope the quilts moved you too. But if you need a more happy ending, please scroll back up and look at the top ten before clicking away. The emoji quilt or Bob should make you laugh again.
Where you at QuiltCon? Did you pick your favorites and any insight into your process? If you where not, which of these here is your favorite?
Best wishes
xo Melanie
PS: Also, if you haven’t read it yet, remember that you can find more about my schedule aka my workshops & lectures in the first post.
There were a few quilts that moved me to tears – you know because you were there. And those are the ones that I forgot to photograph. Which is fine because it is hard to focus through tears or hold a steady hand while sobbing. I see that you captured them all. Yes, I can relate to the goosebumps.
Thank you for being my partner in crime :-) You doubled the fun and halved the cost :-D
I signed up for a two-year membership with MQG, so I can better participate next time. Lots of Love & Hugs!!!
Love seeing your QC posts. I was so sad not to be there to meet up with you this year!
Hallo Melanie,
vielen Dank fürs Mitnehmen durch die Ausstellung.
Der MapQuilt müsste von Clara / Mond aka Bimbambuki (https://bimbambuki.blogspot.com/2018/10/der-piter-map-quilt-fertig.html) sein – da gibt es jede Menge zum Nachlesen!
LG Ines
I’m sure it would be hard to narrow it down to “just” ten… that would be a tall order for me! There were several picks that had your name all over, and several that were a bit of a surpise to me. In any case, I really hope that you will share your charity quilt too… maybe that one came in spot eleven? ; )