A Quilt Show

Over the years I’ve attended plenty of different kinds of conventions – TV fan conventions, book conventions,  work-related conventions – but this wee, I shifted focus and went to the International Quilt Festival, a four-day extravaganza highlighting everything from modern, solid color quilt patterns to traditional hand-pieced quilts, applique techniques, how to embellishing with ribbon embroidery, beads and jewels, and much more.

This was the first time I’ve ever attended a craft convention and like those other cons, this one was full of people passionate about what they do, eager to share their knowledge with newbies and ready to meet people of like minds. They crossed all age groups and even gender (there were several men present) and represented not just a cross-section of America, but the world as well.

 I was only there for the Sunday session so I didn't participate in any workshops, but I did get to walk around the exhibition hall and examine the masterful handiwork of some very talented people. 

If you think that a quilt is just a piece of fabric with batting and a backing, it's time to think again. These quilts were works of art. One featured the Manhattan skyline, another included sequins and tiny beadwork all around the fabric. Then there was the quilt that was made up of several tiny (and I do mean tiny) quilts that had been pieced together by hand.

AMAZING!

Over the years, I’ve heard that interest in quilting has been on the uptick. That was confirmed to me by  convention-goers who said they’d had a record number of people turn out for their opening-night activities and that the hall was so packed on Saturday, some people chose to come back and shop the convention’s vendors on Sunday.

I really shouldn't be surprised. Unlike my first craft love fashion sewing, quilting is more about playing with pattern, design and color -- it's like painting with fabric or discovering a new Crayola crayon color and seeing just how many different designs you can get on your coloring pad.

So what about you? Have you tried quilting? If so, what are thoughts and hey if you have any tips for a relative newbie, share them in the comments section. Thanks!