Thanks to the Hand Work Quilters (2 of 4)

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I can't emphasize enough how important human connection is to the experience of attending QuiltCon. Whether you are standing in line for an event, hanging out at your own quilt, or lingering in front of a quilt you really like, it is so easy to strike up a conversation. People are joyful to be there and pleased to be with other quilters. There is an instant connection because you already know you have quilting in common. 

After all, it is a celebration of quilts. Running into a ribbon winner, it is natural to lift them up for their accomplishment. This year when I came across Heidi Parkes in front of her prize winning quilt, I put aside my usual reticence to congratulate her. As we spoke, I was reminded of my first encounter with her work. 


Back in 2021, I was doing a lot of hand appliqué and hand quilting, but I hadn’t been in the modern guild very long. Sometimes it felt like I was fumbling along, trying to figure out what made modern quilts different. That spring Heidi spoke to our guild and it was clear she was pushing traditional boundaries with her quilts. The Ventura MQG gave our members the challenge to create a mini quilt incorporating some of her ideas. It turned out that was the nudge I needed to “think outside the box” I had carefully constructed for myself.

"Q" is for QUILT! (June 2021)

One thing has led to another in this creative journey, and each project takes me a step forward.  I could not have anticipated how this would all evolve. Actually, I'm not sure I would have wanted to know ahead of time.

Caroline Oneto (@caroline_oneto), another quilting luminary, recently wrote, “Your voice is built, not discovered.” I couldn't agree more. It is built on opening thought to new influences, fearless experimenting, a joy in the creative process and a willingness to follow where it leads.

And where else are you going to have access to what is going on in the quilting world but at events like QuiltCon and active participation in a guild? Really, there is no substitute for seeing quilts in person. (Photos don't do them justice.) Exposure to the work of other quilters has always opened new vistas of exploration for me. After QuiltCon 2025 last year, I confess I was absolutely awed and humbled by the quilts in the Hand Work category. It was my fourth time in the show, but I realized I had gotten comfortable. It inspired me to push myself even more and I'm grateful for that.

This post would not be complete without acknowledging individual quilters/artists that contribute to the growing body of hand worked modern quilts.  Buckets of gratitude for Jen Broemel (@jen.broemel), Carson Converse (@carsonconverse), Laura Hartrich (@laurahartrich), Heather Kinion @fire4hairlady), Heidi Parkes (@Heidi.Parks), Julie Reuben (@b_plus_q), Clara Stoikow (@bimbambuki_blog), and many more for sharing their work so others can be inspired to add their voices to this art form. 

I look forward to seeing what everyone brings to the feast at QuiltCon 2027!

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