I returned from QuiltCon yesterday and it was such an amazing experience. As I begin to process everything, the thing that sticks out most in my mind is the community aspect of it all. In fact, for today’s post, I won’t even be talking about the quilts. But don’t worry, I’ll get to them later. 🙂

Lunch on the Steps with Melissa – pictured are Melissa Averinos, Molli Sparkles, Lacy J. Law, Becca Bryan, Violet Craft, Monica-Solario Snow and another gal in the upper left whom I met but sadly forgot her name (if you are out there new friend – please speak up!)

It’s been stated that the modern movement is part attitude/part aesthetic. The modern quilting community itself is a huge part of that! QuiltCon is unlike any show I’ve ever been to and it’s so unique in that you really feel like you are among friends. It’s so fun to meet up with instagram/facebook friends in person and have longer, more in-depth face to face conversations. I think we all love being a part of something and being around others who get it.

One of the fun things I got to do was take part in a panel discussion on how to stash our fabric. The moderator was Rossie Hutchinson and panelists were myself, Mary Fons and Judy Gauthier. I was able to give Mary a big hug and thank her for giving me my first “big break” in the quilting community (when she selected my Charming Chevrons quilt for the cover of Quilty magazine back in 2013). Chatting with her before the panel began felt like we were old friends catching up.

I love being part of both the local and national MQG community. So many of my local Las Vegas MQG members attended, since the show was only a few hours drive. I didn’t realize what a huge help they would be in helping me set up and break down my classes each day.

My “roadies” – Melissa B., Ida, Melissa C. and Vicki with our guild’s group entry.

One of my favorite moments at the show was meeting up with Angela Walters and Jennifer Keltner (Chief Visionary Officer for Martingale/That Patchwork Place) for a little chat about our book, The Ultimate Guide to Machine Quilting which releases in April. We have something extra special planned for Spring Quilt Market in May and I can’t wait!

And finally I love, love, love, my community of students. Teaching is one of my favorite parts of my career as a quilter. That spark of excitement on a student’s face when they get it is one of the huge reasons I do what I do!

Student work from my class “free-motion favorites for the modern quilter.”

I taught two machine quilting classes while at QuiltCon along with two classes on EQ7. I’m always a little unsure of how the material will be received and it makes my day when a student comes up to me at the end of class and tells me how happy they are with what they’ve learned. Yay! That kind of positive feedback propels me to do more. I love it!

It makes me happy to see students chatting together before class begins.

And the best news is, for anyone who was unable to attend QuiltCon 2016 – I’ll be teaching again at QuiltCon in 2017, this time in Savannah, Georgia. I can hardly wait!