QuiltCon is coming to the Phoenix Convention Center in Phoenix, AZ, February 20-23, 2025! The largest modern quilting event in the world, QuiltCon is hosted by the Modern Quilt Guild. With attendees coming from around the globe, the event features a vibrant quilt show full of competition quilts, community outreach quilts, and special exhibits; as well as an alluring vendor mall. QuiltCon also features lectures and workshops.
Why I’m Qualified
Hi, I’m Mary Beth Krapil, Handi Quilter National Educator. As a member of The Modern Quilt Guild and a HQ National Educator, I’ve attended several QuiltCon shows. It is an astounding show. I love the magic atmosphere of all the happy creative quilters soaking in inspiration, learning new techniques, making new friends, and gathering supplies for their next projects. I’ll share some things I’ve learned that will help make your experience the best it can be.
Tips for attending QuiltCon
When you go to a major show like QuiltCon, you’ll want to get the FULL experience. It’s best to get prepared so you can enjoy it all. So let’s dive in to my 17 tips.
1. Visit the QuiltCon website
You’ll get all your questions answered here. This is where you’ll find information about the venue location, hours, class offerings, admission, contests, vendors, safety precautions, and more.
2. Join the Modern Quilt Guild
Members get advanced registration along with discounts on classes and lectures at QuiltCon, plus so many other benefits. Membership is $45 per year. When you join by Novemeber 30, 2024, you can register for a complimentary four-day show pass to the quilt show and curated vendor hall, PLUS receive 20% off workshops and lectures. The 4 day pass to the show for non-members is $50. That alone makes it a no-brainer! Join HERE.
3. Enter your quilts
This tip is super time-sensitive! The deadline for entering quilts is October 31,2024 at 11:59 pm EDT. So do NOT delay! You must be a member of MQG (Modern Quilt Guild) to enter a quilt. The entries are juried and you will be notified if your quilts have been selected for the show.
For all the details, including rules, member challenges, important dates, and judging information, please click HERE.
4. Plan your schedule
There are so many things to do and see at the show you’ll want to plan your schedule in advance so you don’t miss a thing. You’ll also want to register for classes as early as possible because they fill up fast. You can see the full schedule HERE.
5. Don’t OVER-schedule
It’s so exciting to see all the wonderful fun things to do at QuiltCon. Many first-timers can get overwhelmed. Be sure to change up your activities throughout the day. Plan to take breaks, shop the vendor hall, enjoy the quilts a little at a time, and check out the Demo Stage. With all the activities at QuiltCon, you may only want to sign up for 1 or 2 workshops or classes. This way you can experience a little bit of everything. Learning in workshops is great, but definitely don’t overload yourself, and be sure to leave room for the other activities.
6. Register
Once you have chosen your classes you’ll want to register right away. Classes fill up fast. Go HERE to register.
7. Join the wait list for full classes
When a workshop sells out, a wait list begins. You can join the wait list for any sold-out workshop you hope to get into. When a wait list spot opens up, the first person on the wait list will be contacted and offered the spot to them via email. You’ll have a limited time to respond or the spot will go to the next person on the list. When offered a wait list spot, attendees have the ability to request to drop any sessions that conflict with the wait list offer with no penalty.
8. Pre-order merch
In previous years QuiltCon branded merch sold out super-fast. In 2025 you can pre-order your merch and choose to pick it up at the convention center or have it shipped to you. See what’s available and pre-order HERE.
9. Volunteer
Volunteering is a great way to fully experience QuiltCon, meet new people, and have fun! You’ll get a t-shirt showing the world you’ve joined the elite team of QuiltCon volunteers. Volunteering is also a great way to meet others at QuiltCon and to see behind-the-scenes. Get all the details of what you will be doing as a volunteer and sign up HERE.
10. Book your travel and accommodations early
As of this writing, the 2 closest hotels to the convention center are sold out. You can find other places to stay by visiting the “Visit Phoenix” website.
11. Plan to explore Phoenix and surrounding areas
If you have never been to this part of the country, take advantage of the opportunity to explore and do a little sight-seeing. With a sprawling metropolitan area as well as mountains and the Sonoran Desert within a short drive of the downtown area, Phoenix has something for everyone. Learn more HERE.
At the show:
12. Stop by the Handi Quilter booth
Handi Quilter is proud to be a platinum sponsor of QuiltCon and a vendor. Be sure to stop by our booth and say “Hi”! We love to meet and talk with quilters. Not part of the family yet? Give a machine a test drive! You will fall in LOVE.
13. Meet other quilters
Engage with fellow attendees and the exhibitors and vendors. Networking is a great way to learn new quilting tips and make new friends. Don’t be shy—strike up conversations with fellow quilters. You’ll enrich your experience ten-fold.
14. Document your experience
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- Notes: Take notes on what you’ve learned or seen to help you remember the details later. Your phone is a quick and easy place to keep those bits of info you’ll want to remember when you get home.
15. Follow QuiltCon on social media
Check out the festival’s social media pages for updates, sneak peeks, and tips from other attendees. Facebook and Instagram.
16. Check out these other blog posts for more tips on attending shows
17. Have FUN!
Enjoy the experience, and don’t be afraid to be inspired and get creative! Take all the sights and sounds and colors and ideas home with you and incorporate them into your quilts.
And while you’re waiting to go, Quilt Every Day!
by Mary Beth Krapil