Arcs

When I last mentioned my Wayward Arcs piece made during Block Studies Collective in January, I was debating whether to add to it, and maybe even take it to QuiltCon to use during my hand-quilting class with Tara Faughnan @tarafaughnan. Well, I did both!

Before I went, I 'basted' it lightly by machine-stitching several vertical lines. Then for the hand-quilting class, I packed both Wonderfil #8 perle cotton and Aurifil 12wt, expecting to try both. But I found out in class that Tara prefers and uses Wonderfil Spagetti 12wt (that is, when she's not using Wonderfil GlaMore 12wt, a metallic thread), and so I tried it.

I was surprised how much I loved it. Tara and I compared the Aurifil and Wonderfil 12wts, and the Aurifil was just a bit 'fluffier?' It's hard to describe, but for hand-quilting, I really liked the Wonderfil also, and purchased some green and off-white to use while quilting my little quilt.

Over the weekend, I finished hand-quilting, and then stitched on a wide (3/4") binding. Just for the record, I'd backed the little (19" x 26") quilt with a printed fabric from stash, and used Quilter's Dream Request, which is especially nice for hand-quilting.

It sure felt great to be hand-quilting again, and I love the finished texture. I know it takes more time, but I'm seriously hoping for more hand-quilting in my future.

Linking up with Favorite Finish {March 2025} with @quiltingJETgirl.

QuiltCon Phoenix | Etc.

This random wrap-up post is mostly for me.... just as a reminder of a few more QuiltCon moments that are worth reflecting back on. 

First off, Rachel @snippetsofsweetness and I flew out of the new-to-us Paine Field Airport very near our homes. With just two gates, it was so much smaller and convenient than we were used to.

photo taken by Rachel, since she had the window seat!

After an uneventful flight and getting settled into our hotel, we had the most delicious salads as a late dinner at the hotel restaurant, Carcara. It was a welcome time to relax and breathe in the reality that we had a few days to spend together, something that doesn't happen much these days.

On Friday night, we had dinner at Cornish Pasty Co. with a delightful group. All invited by Yvonne @quiltingjetgirl and joined by her husband Michael @wabi_sabi_overland, Rebecca @rebeccalynn207, Krista @poppyprint and CJ @cj.molen, both long-time friends. It was too dark to get a photo of our pasties, but the company was excellent, and we enjoyed the evening.

Come Saturday, Rachel and I ventured off together after attending the Keynote with some guild members, and joining in the guild photo. We first headed back to Blanco Cocina so Rachel could enjoy it too. Oh how I wish Blanco had a restaurant near us back home! 

Then we ubered over to Palabras Bilingual Bookstore, a shop Rachel was keen to see and experience.

It was an enjoyable outing! After, we ubered back to the convention center for one last round through the vendors and quilt exhibit, saying goodbye to QuiltCon. It was bittersweet for sure!

QuiltCon Phoenix | The Quilts

It's hard to focus on just a handful of quilts when there were SO MANY gorgeous ones at QuiltCon. So first, I'll share the group quilt in which I had a block. 

You might remember me making blocks for Linda @flourishingpalms' potholder quilt project back in January 2024. My one block that made the final cut is the one in the upper right corner. Linda bound all of the hand-quilted blocks, then hand-stitched them all together. It was great to be able to see the quilt in person AND to meet some of the other makers as we gathered for a group photo. I also overheard several folks examining the quilt, so intrigued by its unique construction.

Standing L: Charlotte @kirkenoll

Kneeling L-R: Sherry @otterbeequitling; Candi @candipursuits; Kathy @kathycookquilts; me

Standing L-R: Linda @flourishingpalms; Patty @elmstreetquilts

From here, I'll just share a few of my favorite quilts from a mix of categories.....

Seriously, that was just the tip of the iceberg. Be sure and check out all the QuiltCon 2025 Winners, and The Works of Tara Faughnan, beautifully captured by Holly Harper @redheadwiththread. It really was a very impressive, inspiring quilt show.

QuiltCon Phoenix | Classes, Tour, and Lectures

For my own sake as well as yours, I thought I'd share about the classes, tour, and lectures I attended. As far as classes, there were two:

1. Off the Grid Improv Design with Allie McCathren @exhaustedoctopus. In this class, Allie shared about letting quilt blocks speak, and using non-grid methods to piece blocks of a variety of shapes and sizes into a cohesive whole. A special treat was seeing her sashiko quilt in person!

2. Fundamentals of Hand Quilting with Tara Faughnan @tarafaughnan. Rachel and I had taken a class from Tara at a previous QuiltCon, so we were excited to take another. I was especially pleased to learn about Tara's preferred thread for hand-quilting, and will be experimenting with that in my own work. We were reminded that not only are Tara's classes very informative, they are a lot of fun!

Something I had also done at a previous QuiltCon was to take a Special Exhibit Tour with Mary Fons @yomaryfons. Even though it began at 8 AM(!) it was totally worth it. This time, Mary focused on two exhibits: The Works of Tara Faughnan and Quilts of the Southwest, joined by National Heritage Fellow Susan Hudson @navajoms. It was definitely an hour well spent.

Then I was able to attend three lectures, all of which were excellent. 

1. Pushing Boundaries with Robert Bosscher @rjbosscher.

2. Unlocking Mexican Textiles & Embroideries Secrets with Lilia Jimenez Meza and Lina Owen. 

3. Keynote - Quilts as Art: Valuing Our Work with Tara Faughnan @tarafaughnan.

Right after the keynote, the Seattle MQG gathered for a group photo! I heard there were over 40 of us in attendance in Phoenix, so glad we could get at least a good number of us gathered together!

QuiltCon Phoenix | The Beginning

Where to even start? QuiltCon 2025 was just a delight in every way. I traveled and attended with my daughter Rachel @snippetsofsweetness, and we headed out with the Cargo Duffles we'd made for our first QuiltCon, back in 2015!

Our first full day started off with breakfast at Press Coffee, which served up great iced coffees, and equally delicious breakfast empanadas. We enjoyed the whole package so much, we went back for more each day until we left Phoenix.

We were fortunate enough to stay in a hotel just a couple of blocks from the convention center, and had a great view of downtown Phoenix from our room.

If I have a regret about QuiltCon, it's only that I didn't take enough photos with people! There were so many great connections, and all I have to show for them from Day 1 is a plate of my avocado tacos (yum!) at lunch at Blanco Cocina with Ellyn @ellynz.....

and a picture that Rachel actually took at Floor 13 Rooftop Bar, where we met up with Bee Sewcial.

We also attended classes and saw lots of quilts - which I will share in separate posts. It was a VERY full day, proven by my Fitbit tracker. But what a great start to QuiltCon 2025.

QuiltCon Entries

So yesterday, QuiltCon acceptance notices went out and I was 0/5. None of the quilts I submitted were accepted. A tiny bit disappointing but honestly, I understand that if 2269 were submitted and only 460 (about 20%) were selected, my odds were not good. And I'm ok with that! I've had several turns at showing at QuiltCon, and am grateful for that.

Meanwhile, here's what I submitted this year....

Side Chairs, one of my new creations this year. I kinda thought it wouldn't 'fit,' but I love it, so worth a shot.

Albersesque, my latest Bee Sewcial group quilt, which was entered last year and didn't make the cut so wanted to give it one more try.

 

Keen, another new make this year, and one a lot of folks really liked, so I thought why not?

Split Second, which was made for the Windham Artisan Cotton 2024 Challenge, but not accepted. I love it so I figured I'd try one more time.

And finally, Diamond Cut, which  I entered at the last minute, just because I sometimes have better luck in the small quilt category. Not this time. 

So oh well. I thoroughly enjoyed scrolling on IG last night and seeing gorgeous quilts that both did and didn't get in. It was quite the excellent show, just as I expect the one at QuiltCon 2025 will be!