I’ve just returned home from teaching 7 classes/lectures in 4 days – and all on Mariner’s Compass! What a joy and blessing, but I have to admit to being a bit exhausted. Thanks to everyone who took my classes! Wednesday was an all day class with a wonderful group, the Pine Tree Needlers in Wautoma, WI. I used to teach at their annual retreat and so it was very nice to reunite with past friends. I only wish I had thought to snap a photo or two. Thanks to Patty B. for her kind hospitality.
From there I headed to Madison, WI to meet up with my dear friend and roommate, Laura Krasinski. We were both on the faculty at Quilt Expo (it was Laura’s first year and she did a great job!). This was the Expo’s 8th year and it just keeps getting better. The crowds were big, the quilts were amazing and the Vendor Mall was as good as it gets. I believe a good time was had by all. My lectures and workshops were all well attended – Praise the Lord – and on the last day I did remember to use my camera. This was my Saturday morning class – a very talented group (even Maria who was hiding behind her machine :-))!
I found the show quilts to be very inspiring. There were quilts from Wisconsin, all over the US and beyond. Being a juried show, the competition was intense. I’ve mentioned this in my blog before, but I think it bears repeating. When a show is juried, the quilts need to catch the jurors attention to be chosen. This means that many wonderful quilts may be turned down. Typically these are the regular type that most quilters make. They can still be found in abundance at local quilt shows and county fairs and are so much fun to view, but when attending juried shows I recommend going with the attitude that you just want to be wowed and inspired!
That being said, I enjoy the excitement of entering juried shows because I make quilts that like to be seen. I have had many quilts accepted into juried shows and quite a number of times I’ve been turned down. That’s just the way it is. This year I was blessed to have the 2 quilts I entered accepted. In the following photograph 2 viewers are really examining one of them: Welcoming the Son Into Our Garden (third from the left). This is a project I made with my dear friend, Wendy Rieves, and it was featured in a previous post. Please click here for a better picture and more information.
What a joy it was to actually win a second place ribbon. Wendy and I were thrilled!
I have one more photo to share. Here’s a bird’s eye view of the entry hall still filled with happy quilters, even on the last afternoon of the show.
Quilt Expo has really grown to be a National Level quilt show and the city of Madison has a lot to offer as well. I highly recommend marking your calendars for the Thursday, Friday and Saturday following Labor Day weekend next year!
Were you able to attend Expo? What was your favorite part :-)?
Jan Bretzel says
Chris, You are correct about them elevating this show to a national level. Usually one day was enough….not this year. I could have easily spent 2 or 3 days. The best part? All the stimulation. I can ‘t wait to get home and try out my new tools and fabric.
Deloris Kendrick says
It was a fun show besides seeing your quilt..a few others were
Made by people I was familiar with….and of course always
Enjoy the vendors.
Alice says
It was a wonderful expo. It’s hard to choose 1 favorite thing, but if you are making me, it would be quality time spent with very close, wonderful friends who have the same passion for quilting as I do. On the first day, I had the pleasure of enjoying a young lady in our group that is 16 years old and loves quilting as much as we do, and we are all old enough to be her mother or grandmother!
Of course, I enjoyed the quilts on display as well as the vendor booths.
I did see you in the hall one day, but you were busy chatting, so I didn’t stop to introduce myself.
Melody Gruenhagen says
I love everything about the weekend. I have attended all 8 years. I have learned so much over the years. Thanks to the wonderful teachers like you. Those lectures are the only exposure I get to learning all the methods and ideas to make a quilt. I live in a very rural area and it’s so far to get to classes. I cherish my time at the expo. Thank you Nancy for making this happen.
Cindy Byron says
I love the Expo!—the best thing about it is that I get to spend 3 full quilting days with my Mom. We both started quilting less then 10 years ago and learn and grow the most at the Expo. The classes and lectures are all so great. We made the mistake the first year of going only for one day–now we get a room (quilt into the wee hours), take the classes and enjoy the great company of all the interesting quilters. Room is booked for next year!
Susan Schultz says
It was my observation that there were more scrap quilts than previous years. It’s not my personal taste, but I can always appreciate a design well done. One could assume there’s a message or trend there…..or not.
Julie says
I had such a great time in your class and appreciated how well organized and clear your teaching style is. I finished assembling my compass this week and I think it’s pretty fantastic for my very first one. There’s a photo here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/stoneview/7988312566/ I have to think some more on what to do with it before I go further but I look forward to using this technique many times and already have a request to make one for a friend. It was a great show and well worth the trip from Boston. Looking at the all quilts is always my favorite part.