So now I’m going to QuiltCon.
Okay, so like most of my life, things tend to change at the last minute. I tell you, if you can pin me down for a lunch date, you are winning. So when my quilty friends all asked me last year, “Molli! Are you going to QuiltCon West in February 2016?” I was like, um, I don’t know what I’m doing next week, let alone six months from now. Well, it’s now six months from then, and it looks like I have a very favourable possibility of going to QuiltCon West! Due to a very well-timed work trip in California the week after QuiltCon, I can now stop over in Los Angeles for part (all?) of QuiltCon! So now I’m completely all a flutter, wondering, “What to do? Where to go? What to see? Which lecture is a must, maybe, or a no? What’s even still available? To workshop or not to workshop? Which quilter(s) to stalk? What to eat? What to buy? Who to shag?” Okay, maybe not that last one, but as you can see, there’s a whole lot of questions. Where is the magical quilty travel agent that can just plan all this for me, and I show up and bask in the glory?
Do you have any suggestions for me? I’m actually thinking of flying in on the Friday, so I may not hit the show until the Saturday and Sunday with eyes propped open with toothpicks. But maybe I won’t be able to stay away on Friday afternoon either! As you can see, I printed out the entire 48-page catalogue today and started perusing. It’s like information overload! At the very, very least, I’ll get to see my No Value Does Not Equal Free quilt hanging with other modern quilt brethren. If you see me walking around please introduce yourself as I’ll probably be so overwhelmed by the enormity of it all! I’m a QuiltCon virgin! Are people making name badges, wearing funky hats, sashes, meet and greets? Seriously, what is the skinny on QuiltCon?! Comment me below so I can make sure I’m in the know! Can’t wait to see you all!
Gah! Lucky duck! Wish I was going with you! The magical quiltcon travel agent is a wonderful idea btw … someone should totally run with that.
Assuming you are going for all four days, leave a day for the show/floor, go for half day workshops, the lectures are the best and don’t expect to go anywhere without being stopped. Prepare to be over and underwhelmed. I had two crap days (bad classes – don’t ask), half a day hungover and one amazing, incredible day.
I’m jealous. It will be amazing.
Hope to see you there, and I’m happy to hear there will be a special display of my other favorite Molly– Molly Upton.
Spend as much time at the actual quilt show as you can. The vendor hall last time was fab, too. I attended a couple of lectures but my all-day workshop was my favorite part, next to the show.
I am so looking forward to stalking you! Suggestions… well, if you want a more cozy experience, I have located a bed and breakfast not too far from the convention center that is the same rate per night as the hotels, so hit me up and I’ll share the link. I’m planning to have a bit of a sew in day at the BnB on Saturday, but I will be paying attention to when you will be around and will do my darndest to get to meet you. Also, last year making lanyards for the name badges and swapping pins was all the rage. I’m not sure what the trend for this year is going to be, but I think I’m going to order some buttons soon.
How exciting that you are going to go! I attended a few lectures last year, and overall I was disappointed 🙁 They were not really long enough to truly teach you anything, and for the most part too crowded. I didn’t have the money to do workshops, but I heard great things about them! Make time to actually walk the show, I didn’t do this last year and I missed out on seeing some gorgeous quilts.
It truly is a great hangout. My suggestion is be totally flexible with your schedule. I skipped a bunch of lectures to hang out with my people and go to lunch instead. That is the most fun part about the whole event – hooking up with your online friends! When it’s time to eat, look around for the nearest fun-loving person and say, “hey let’s go eat!” and then grab a bunch of other party gals to go with you!
Hi I’m so excited I’m going to be there! I can’t wait to find you! It’s my first time at the quilt con event so I don’t have any tips. But this giltterita is super exited to meet you!
I’ve never been so I don’t have any advice, but I’d love to be a fly on the wall when you go to the David Butler lecture on photography. A selfie with him would create amazing meme possibilities!
I went last year in Austin and decided to pass this year in favor of going to Savanah in 2017. I was a super volunteer last year as I was alone and that was a great way to meet people. I loved working as a white glove (r) on the display floor – got to really enjoy the quilts up close. Spent an evening as a workshop assistant for Elizabeth Hartman (my favorite designer) – the only thing better would have been being a workshop participant. I found that the workshops and classes fill up fast – will know how to go about things next year. You will so enjoy yourself –
I am a Super Volunteer for QuiltCon East. Any tips to share?
Could you possibly stop by Nova Scotia and pop me in your suitcase en route? I know it’s a tidge out of the way…
I feel a champagne-fîlled soirée with the traveling glitterati is called for! I’m in – anyone else???
You mean we may finally get to meet?
Most classes are full, however, if you are interested I could sell you my Luke Haynes class. It is on Saturday. Email me if interested. elisaalburyquilts@gmail.com
P.S. I’m a QC virgin too. Hope to bump into you.
Edited to add…
I don’t want to give up my class because of all the brewhaha associated with the “male quilters” post. Rather, know that registering for QC is a panicky nightmare, so stressful, goes so fast and I overbooked. Realizing I have built no time into my schedule to relax, visit friends, make new ones, see quilts, etc. I thought I would offer it up to you as it was a second choice.