It’s been two years since the members of the Modern Quilt Guild and other quilt lovers gathered in person for QuiltCon, and the MQG put together a stunning show to welcome the event back. Join me for a review of the show!

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QuiltCon is a production of The Modern Quilt Guild and is the largest modern quilt show of its kind. It includes hundreds of quilts juried into categories such as Modern Traditionalism, Negative Space, Minimalism, Piecing, and Appliqué. In addition, QuiltCon includes several special exhibits including charity quilts, a featured quilter, and youth quilts.

According to the MQG, “Modern quilts are primarily functional and inspired by modern design. Modern quilters work in different styles and define modern quilting in different ways, but several characteristics often appear which may help identify a modern quilt. These include, but are not limited to: the use of bold colors and prints, high contrast and graphic areas of solid color, improvisational piecing, minimalism, expansive negative space, and alternate grid work. "Modern traditionalism" or the updating of classic quilt designs is also often seen in modern quilting.” In my experience, modern quilters are also more likely to engage in conversation about current events such as politics or human rights issues with their quilts, following, of course, a rich tradition in the arts.

Let’s take a look at this year’s show!

Video

Platinum Sponsors & Modern Traditionalism Sponsor

I’ve been attending QuiltCon since 2017, shortly after I started quilting. This show is special to me because it has always been an event where I enjoy both the quilts and the people. I love connecting with fellow quilters, being inspired by quilty innovation, and networking with other industry professionals.

This year, it was exciting to give back to a show I’ve enjoyed so much by being a major sponsor of the event.

In addition, we were also the Modern Traditionalism show category sponsor. Congrats to the winners of the Modern Traditionalism category:

First: Hot by Leanne Chahley

Second: Mended Mountains by Laura Loewen

Third: Flown Away Geese by Irina Timofeeva

In addition to seeing the String & Story logo grace signage throughout the show, we decided to bring some big Quilting Rockstar energy to the vending hall by having a booth as well. This was our very first tradeshow, so we learned a lot and had a ton of fun. Over 50 Quilting Rockstars came by to say hello and pose for pictures— how cool is that??!!

Best in Show

The Quilts

I have some thoughts about themes and patterns in this year’s show (as I always do), but first, the quilts!

(Please keep in mind that this is only a small sample not only of the show and its categories but even of the quilts I photographed.)

Modern Traditionalism

Minimalist Design

Use of Negative Space

Piecing

Improvisation

Applique

Observations

One of my favorite things to do at QuiltCon is to do an initial walk through of the show pretty quickly and just observe patterns. What colors are common? Repeating themes? Popular blocks? Each year my observations are a little different and things that wax one year often wane the next. Trends are, in my opinion, evidence that modern quilting is a movement and a community. While we may all create in relative solitude, we are nevertheless influenced by other makers and events in the world at large.

Here are a few of my thoughts from this year’s show:

1. The quilts continue to be conversational. From politics to social justice to personal matters, the quilts at QuiltCon ask the viewer to react, respond, and feel.

2. There was less FMQ than in recent years, fewer prints as well. We seem to have moved back toward solids and straight line stitching, both design choices commonly associated with modern quilting and its graphic design influences.

3. Log cabins are still super popular. And I’m 100% here for it. Drunkard’s path curves showed up a lot too.

4. We love orange. Several quilts were specifically memorial projects for indigenous children in Canada, but even beyond those, I think the increased use of orange filtered out to other projects.

I think modern quilters push the boundaries of quilts and quilting techniques in such interesting ways, and I find myself repeating, “What a cool idea!” over and over again.

Concluding Thoughts

While even the most diligent recap only captures a snippit of the QuiltCon show, I hope this has provided you with some eye candy and food for thought and inspiration as you head to your sewing room. Be sure to check out my other QuiltCon recaps to learn more about previous shows.

If you’re new to String & Story or new to free motion quilting, we’d love to send you a gift. Click HERE to request the FREE Confident Quilting Workbook, designed to share our favorite free motion quilting tips and tricks to help you finish your quilts with confidence!