QuiltCon 2024 - Join My Debrief!

On Saturday 17th February, we waved good-bye to my kids along with my very generous parents who had moved into our house to care for them. We then drove to Sydney, 3 1/2 hours away, to the airport hotel where we slept for a night before our morning flight via Auckland. I was quickly reminded of how much waiting and navigating new territory travel requires of you, all on limited sleep and changing time zones, and I was so glad that, while I wished the kids could have experienced the trip with us, there was just the two of us to look after. For 46 hours, we drove, hotelled, waited at the airport, flew, transferred, flew, Ubered, and then trained it to Baltimore where my dear friend, Lisa, and her husband, Matt, generously hosted us through our jet lag. All before then driving down to Raleigh for QuiltCon.

I think I'm quite good at teaching! My students seemed to have a good time, and learn a lot. (Feel free to share your thoughts below!) Teaching reminded me of theatre performances in my university days. I followed a loose script, projected my voice, and expressed a side of me not often seen in my work-from-home life. It felt good to get it out again. Starting this small quilty business, with just a beginner's knowledge, trusting I'd figure it out as I went, took a chunk of confidence I didn't feel came naturally to me. Teaching at QuiltCon was an opportunity to distill 8 years of learning, and be affirmed as an expert, and that was really meaningful.

My favourite classes were the three EPP design ones: two with the Hexie Shape Family, and one with 6pt diamonds. I'm not sure if it's because those classes were in much bigger spaces, and therefore felt more relaxed, or if it's because it's a class about play and possibilities. I got to spend time with each student because the room allowed me to walk around, and I always get so inspired by the new things students discover from playing with shapes in front of them. With room for the students to move around, more took the chance to look closely at my quilts on display, and I sold more kits in these classes.

My Ice Cream Soda classes were in much smaller rooms, with the students squeezed into rows so it was hard to meet them all individually. I spent some of the time worried that it was information overload. There's so much to cover: EPP basics, colour play, and fussy cutting, half of which I skipped in the design classes because the focus was on creating patterns. But, I was encouraged to see so many of the EPP beginners in my classes grow in confidence in our time together, as well as lots of people taking notes. I hope it was a great way to start a big, new EPP quilt. 

There is so much to process from our time at QuiltCon that I've broken it down into smaller categories. Part of a debrief is just getting everything out of your head into actual words. I'm not sure I've arrived at any conclusions, but these are some observations I made.

Meeting people and introducing them to my brand: I really enjoyed meeting the people in my classes. They were just so enthusiastic and encouraging. Several pulled me aside to say how much they appreciated my weekly newsletter. Others came to two or three of my classes!

I was struck by the number of people who hadn't used my shapes before. I think they were all converts by the end of class! That felt really worthwhile.

QuiltCon the Event: I was so incredibly impressed by the running of QuiltCon. I saw Organiser Extraordinaire Kelsey several times over the weekend because she came to check in with me, and she answered any questions or support requests promptly by text. She was always so cheerful, which amazed me!

It was great to see the enormity of the quilt show in person. I wish I could have spent more time down on the show floor. I would walk a few aisles after teaching and hit overload, and need to go home to rest. But, I found the quilts I saw so inspiring. A beautiful mix of meaningful stories told, confronting statements, and artful play. What an amazing bunch quilters are! If you don't go to QuiltCon for the classes, the quilt show alone is worth the trip.

Energy Levels: Speaking of overload, I was really disappointed in my energy levels over the weekend. The sleepless travel, the jet lag, getting my period on the Thursday of QuiltCon (sorry if that's TMI - but it was definitely part of the experience!), pulling a muscle in my back during the drive down on Wednesday (I'm guessing from sitting for so long on the plane), were all part of the difficulty of traveling across the world for such an event.

I was aware that I never once caught up with people I was hoping to, had dinner with new friends, or organised a meet up via the email list I had collected beforehand. I kind of needed a week afterwards to wind down from teaching, and, then, I could have focussed on socialising! 

Time Cost: I estimate the time I spent in the lead up to QuiltCon, preparing for classes and preparing for travel took approximately 2 weeks full time. This was mostly spread out throughout the year, with most of the week leading up to leaving focussed on it completely. I was away for 2 weeks total, which I would do again, because it was great to have a rest and be 'fed' by good art and walks for a few days before coming back home to normal life and responsibilities. At the time of writing this, I have been home for over a week, and have just started to feel normal energy levels return. That puts the time cost at 5-6 weeks.

Finally, finances! The trip cost the business around $12,000AUD (around $8000USD). This included parking in Sydney, flights for Tim and I, taxi and train to Baltimore, car hire and fuel, renting the Raleigh house for 5 nights, meals for the team, and EPP samples and kits which were shipped before QuiltCon to provide and sell in class.

QuiltCon covered my flight and a teaching fee per class, and that total covered about half the cost. I sold about half my stock during classes, and then lovely Justine from Great Heron Thread Co bought a bunch of kits wholesale after the last class, which was so helpful because I was wondering how the heck I was going to get everything home without spending a fortune. These sales covered the other half. The weekend did not make me any profit, or cover my pay during the time away or the time spent preparing.

Approximately 75% of my customers live in the US, and this was such a great way to meet some of you in person. I truely valued that experience.

A big part of me in always drawn to improvement, so I've spent a lot of time over the past few weeks wondering if I should have a stall on the vending floor instead of teaching, so I can meet and sew with more people. Or, maybe I could go significantly smaller and book a smaller place for just Lisa and me stay, and then just teach, without stock for sale, only bringing class samples in my suitcase. When I run the numbers on each, going bigger carries significantly more risk and cost, with no promises of extra profit, and certainly no more profit than I can make from my home with a regular launch. Going smaller could cover costs with less outlay, both in money and time, which could make it more sustainable long term.

If I lived in the US, I don't think I'd even be asking these questions. It was just such a wonderful experience that I'd love to continue to attend while learning how to make the most of it for my own personal inspiration, as well as my business. But, the jet lag, the cost of flights, and the cost of shipping stock for sale seem to be the biggest prohibitors in making it obviously worthwhile.

I imagine you can see by now that I'm quite torn about making this an annual excursion or a more occasional one. What are your thoughts? I'd love to hear your feedback if you took my classes, or your own experience of travel and attending the event, or ideas you have. Comment below!