Have you noticed your social media feeds overflowing with QuiltCon posts last week? There’s a good reason for that! QuiltCon, hosted by The Modern Quilt Guild, has a way of bringing quilters together like no other show.
What makes it so special? For starters, it welcomes everyone who loves quilting. While traditional quilting spaces can sometimes feel exclusive—QuiltCon embraces quilters of all ages, backgrounds, and experience levels. One of the most exciting things to see is their youth category, which is the largest I’ve ever seen in a quilt show. And let’s be real—if we don’t bring younger generations into quilting, the craft we love could fade over time.
Beyond that, QuiltCon is a celebration of quilting as both tradition and art. It showcases a diverse range of quilts, from modern designs to those inspired by history and culture. The energy is electric, with so much to learn—lectures dive into technique, history, and quilting’s place in different cultures, while hands-on workshops go beyond traditional blocks to explore innovative techniques.
Because QuiltCon welcomes everyone, it feels like everyone comes! The result? A one-of-a-kind experience that highlights just how vibrant, creative, and inclusive the quilting community can be.
Benartex
This was my third time attending QuiltCon and it was extra special this time because I'm a 2025 Benartex Ambassador aka Sewcial Star. I had the incredible opportunity to connect with the amazing Benartex team, host meet & greets in their booth, and even be on the main stage alongside some truly inspiring fabric designers! In the first photo below, you'll see me on stage with Lisa Ruble @quiltyzest, Rachel Rossi @designsbyrr, and Christa Watson @christaquilts. It was such an honor to share the stage with these talented creatives! Irene Staal @sugaridoo, the tall blond in the second photo, was also a part of our panel and that's her adorable Planty Friends quilt in front of us on the table. Belle Brunner @seams_sew_me was so sweet and I truly enjoyed sitting next to her at the Benartex dinner! She's in the second photo with the large quilted bag in her Friendship Blooms pattern!
Another highlight of the event was getting to meet Mary Davis @marygoroundquilts, a fellow Benartex Ambassador! (5th photo)Â It was such a joy to connect in person, share our excitement for this new journey, and geek out over all the gorgeous Benartex fabrics.
And of course, no QuiltCon experience would be complete without the support of my incredible friends from the Las Vegas Modern Quilt Guild! They showed up in full force, cheering me on during the stage presentation and visiting me in the booth. Having their encouragement meant the world to me! (click on the gallery to see the photos larger)
Superstars!
It felt like all my quilting heroes were at the show and I absolutely LOVED getting to meet them! Everyone was so friendly, welcoming, and happy to chat - it made the experience so memorable.
I took an incredibly informative class from Karen Bolan @karen.bolan on Affinity designer, the program I use to write my quilt patterns. Her insights were game-changing!
KARLEE PORTER! @Karleeporterdesign The inventor of graffiti quilting - her work is jaw dropping and pushes free motion quilting to a whole new level. She had gorgeous quilted samples for sale in her booth!
Latifah Saafir @latifahsaffirstudios, maker of the Clammy 10" Ruler which is PERFECT for my Bouncing By quilt pattern! It was amazing to meet the brilliant mind behind such a fantastic tool.
This is Shelly Moore @matantequilting - Her online Quilt Photography Course completely transformed by quilt photography - thank goodness for her expertise or I'd still be struggling to do my quilts justice with a camera!
Heather Bailey @heatherbailey and her sister watched my Mini Moons demo! I have LOVED Heather's style, fabrics, and patterns since I started quilting 18 years ago - such a full-circle moment! Her sister was full of ooohs and ahhs which made me feel much more at ease with Heather watching me demonstrate this reverse appliqué technique.
Melissa de Leon Mason @quiltallthethings_ - At her appliqué class at last year's QuiltCon, I put a Nuts About you block on my denim jacket! I'm not much of a hand sewer so it was amazing! I not only loved catching up with her but loved seeing that she's still stitching blocks on her shirts!
I had a blast meeting Leasa @projectleasa, who taught a class on using fonts from fabrics and selvages to create words in quilts and projects. Such a fun and creative idea!
Oliso
This year, I'm also honored and thrilled to be an Oliso Ambassador and kicked off this exciting new
partnership with them by demonstrating my Mini Moons quilt with their Mini irons! These little powerhouses are perfect for precise pressing, especially for curved piecing.
Oliso also hosted a "Get Carried Away" iron travel bag decorating contest, which is why you see all those adorable customized bags hanging in their booth—so much creativity in one place!
And even better news—I’m now carrying Oliso irons, mats, and travel bags in my shop! So if you’ve been eyeing one of these game-changing tools, you can grab yours from me.
Vicki's Quilt
I have to give a huge shoutout to my dear friend and incredible longarm quilter, Vicki Ruebel @OrchidOwlQuilts! Not only is she insanely talented, but she also lets me use her shop on Mondays to teach my classes—how amazing is that?!
This stunning quilt, The 95, was a true labor of love—designed by Vicki, pieced by her mom, and quilted by Vicki herself—and it was featured IN THE SHOW at QuiltCon! 🙌 Major props to the QuiltCon team for their fantastic lighting because those glitter vinyl dots absolutely sparkled, and the colors popped like crazy. It was a showstopper for sure!
Snapdragon Patterns Made
Another amazing part of QuiltCon was seeing what people have been making with my patterns! Here's Tammy Hutchings @cozystitches with her succulent and Kaffee version of Pamela Mae and Christine Carlson @christinedenise in her matching hexagon earrings!
And here's more photos of amazing quilts, booths, and friends!
What did you love most about QuiltCon this year? Or if you couldn't attend, what's been your favorite thing to see posted about it online? Let’s chat in the comments!
