Since joining the crew in 2017, to me QuiltCon represents a whole lot of hard work. It usually takes me a week or so to decompress, catch up on sleep and be able to sort out my thoughts about the event. I know many of you already know of additional personal details surrounding my time just after QuiltCon (here and here), and I want you all to know that I am doing quite well. ❤️
Workshops Crew – Tuesday, Andrew, and Yvonne
This year, there were 3 crew members who worked in the workshop area. We were able to set up a rotating schedule to allow each of us to get 2 nights “off” after about 7 or 7:30, which was really beneficial. There were also slight changes to the volunteer schedule for volunteers working workshops that allowed us to have help transitioning the rooms after one set of workshops ended and preparing for the next. All in all it meant that I was a lot less frantic this year. Hooray!
On top of that, I honestly could not love the people on crew and especially anyone who has worked in the workshop area more. This year while talking, Andrew told Tuesday and I about an interview question he had read about, “On a scale of 1 to 10, how weird are you?” We then spent the rest of the time together (and now after the fact via a group text) laughing at ourselves and our weird quirks.
Sharla and me
One of the best parts of QuiltCon is getting to meet online friends in real life. For me, that often means that people have to go out of their way to come find me. I appreciated that Sharla @thistlethicketstudio took the time to come find me in the workshop area before heading home. It was such a treat to meet you, Sharla!
I did get to meet many other people, but I never think to ask for a photograph together. Part of that is just my nature and the other part is I am usually pausing in the middle of doing all the things. 🙂
Quilts in the Show – Clockwise from the top: Push-Pull, Tire Tracks, Crown
Speaking of doing all the things, I don’t really have time to get down to the show floor, but after I changed clothes to teach my evening workshop on Friday, I ran down with my crew member and friend Sister (aka Stephanie), who was able to take a picture of me beside my quilts in the show. Getting to see Christine’s (@ccpquilt) beautiful quilting on display in Push-Pull was exciting and I am going to have to come up with another special design so we can collaborate together again soon!
Piecing Precisely: Diffraction Quilt Block Workshop
I taught Piecing Precisely using the Diffraction Quilt Block on Friday night from 6-9 pm. The workshop was sold out and I am delighted to say that everyone arrived to take the class. After a long day, it’s a lot to ask to focus and concentrate on new skills so late at night (well, at least for me!) and I am so proud of what everyone was able to accomplish in the 3 hours!
QuiltCon Crew… Before
I flew into Austin on the Sunday before QuiltCon to be ready to hit the ground running on Monday. On Monday, I helped take an inventory of all the items in the MQG storage unit and coordinate with movers who packaged up everything we needed from the temporary MQG office and the storage area to the convention center. By 5 pm, everything was off-loaded and it was time to have our crew meeting to prepare for the week ahead. After the meeting, we took this fun photo of all of us together.
QuiltCon Crew… (mostly) After
A few of the crew couldn’t make it for the Monday night meeting, so we were all able to get our photo taken on Sunday just before the show closed. We still had a lot of work ahead of us. The show closes at 4 pm and by 8 pm we had to have all the quilts down, accounted for, and ready for pickup by those in town who opted to pick up quilts in person instead of having them shipped home. In addition, all our areas have to be packed up Sunday night and an inventory taken. Then Monday is a long day of shipping.
I am so lucky to have found my people.
People crazy enough to volunteer for 16 hours a day, 8 days straight working together.
Kind, caring, silly, drive-you crazy, make you laugh so hard you cry people.
The best humans on the planet.
On a scale of 1 to 10, how weird am I? Perhaps a 10, but I’m very thankful to count these other weird humans as friends.
Until next year!
It looks like a very fun crew to be a part of. Most of us don’t know what goes on behind the scenes to prepare for such a big show and the few insights you shared gives us a small clue. Long, long days! I can’t speak for everyone, but I do appreciate all the work put into QC. QuiltCon is a big moment for so many people and having it come off as perfect is what makes it special!
It was great to say hello to you, and QuiltCon looks like such a fun crew to work for. QuiltCon is my absolute favorite quilting event of the year, and I know it’s due to people like you that it’s so wonderful. So, from the bottom of my heart, thank you!
WOW. Thank you so much for all you do to make QuiltCon successful. It’s obviously huge! So glad you enjoy ‘your people’! That’s awesome.
Thanks for the hard work you put in (and to everyone else). It took me a week to recover and get back into routine. I had an awesome time!! I was sorry to hear about Puppy.
What a great job you all did! I haven’t been keeping up as I had another weekend away, so I just wanted to say how sorry I am for your losses. I saw today’s blog too, and hope that your family vacation is restorative after these difficult times. Be easy with yourself as these losses are always tough on the soul, but the blessings both Puppy and Susanne brought in your life are still with you.
I think it must be one of those things were attendees think, gee, isn’t she lucky to be here helping out and wandering around. Whereas, in reality, it is very long days and hard work. I am unlikely ever to be there but I enjoy my visits as proxy through your ig account and blog
I have yet to write my QuiltCon post, but I may just link people over to your post. It’s from a different side of things, but I love how you capture the absolute freneticism, along with the learning, the linking up with people, the good times that is QuiltCon. I went into this QC saying it would be my last, but then I had the best time ever (I do love Austin) and thought the quilts were terrific, so now I may have to re-think that. Thank you for all your efforts and time in our behalf.
On a separate note, so sorry to hear about your losses of two friends. I wish you healing and good memories to carry with you in your journey.
I don’t know how you and the others do it, Yvonne, but I’m happy you do. QuiltCon wouldn’t happen without you guys behind the scenes. : )