The Sewcial Hour Podcast — Episode 41: QuiltCon Recap Released: March 10, 2026
Hosts: Bethany McCue (Craft with Bethany) & Audra Chaimson (Sew Dreamy Studio)

Episode Overview

Bethany and Audra dive into a vibrant, firsthand recap of QuiltCon 2026, sharing experiences and insights from North America’s premier modern quilt show, held in Raleigh, NC. The episode combines first impressions, professional takeaways, favorite quilts, community connections, fun purchases, and tips for fellow sewists. With rich anecdotes and lots of personality, the hosts explore how QuiltCon is both a creative haven and an increasingly important industry gathering.

Icebreaker: Dream Sewing Events

(00:19–1:32)

• Bethany and Audra open with a fun question: “If you could attend any sewing or quilting event, what would it be?”
  • Audra: Festival of Quilts in Birmingham, England tops her list, followed by the Al Mente craft show in Italy.

    “Don’t act shocked... but really, just edging it out, is Festival of Quilts in Birmingham.” — Audra (00:52)

  • Bethany’s dream event matches Audra’s; both long to attend the Birmingham event.
  • They invite listeners to share bucket-list shows via YouTube comments or their Facebook group.

First Impressions of QuiltCon 2026

(1:32–6:09)

• Bethany’s First Time:
  • Noted the shift from “working a show” to finally attending just for fun.
  • “It just feels like a party with all your friends! I get to slow down a little bit and have conversations.” — Bethany (2:12)
  • Soaked up the social, unhurried vibe—taking nearly a day to traverse just a few aisles due to conversations and spontaneous networking.
• Audra’s Fourth Time:
  • Found it more enjoyable this year, especially at a relaxed pace and with freedom to explore.
  • “We chatted so much... The conversations were meaningful—instead of feeling rushed and pulled in multiple directions.” — Audra (3:10)
• Overwhelmed by Community:
  • Both surprised at how much time simply connecting and networking consumed.
  • Bethany confesses she initially thought the show would be “bigger” but quickly realized its true depth.
  • Crowded booths and long shopping lines (notably, Ruby Star’s three-hour wait!) characterized the buzz.

Show Floor, Booths, and Shopping

(4:07–6:57)

• Booth Experiences:
  • 10x10 booths were tough to access due to crowds; even large booths had lines.
  • Bethany: “I can’t waste a whole half a day standing in line.” (4:38)
  • Vendors sold out fast; success all around.
• Pace and Energy:
  • Both hosts valued the self-paced approach—leaving for lunch, soaking up inspiration, and restoring creative energy, especially coming out of a “seasonal slump."
• Impact:
  • The show rekindled creative passion and expanded their network: “...that is something that is worth all the time and money in the world.” — Bethany (6:09)

Quilt Show Highlights

(6:57–12:48)

Appreciating Craft and Innovation

• Audra:
  • Loved being “stumped” by innovative construction, piecing, and design.
  • “Where I truly couldn’t figure out construction… the piecing is just one aspect of it, but the quilting design brings a whole ‘nother level of beauty, aesthetics, meaning, messaging… takes it to an 11!” (7:12)
• Bethany:
  • Related modern quilt design to abstract painting with creative use of depth, color, and texture.
  • Advises viewers: “Look at [the quilt] straight on. Then get close and look at it down the side… get up close and personal, but don’t touch!” (10:15)
  • Praises the intentionality and innovation: “I was blown away by the use of color and texture to create shapes I hadn’t seen before… so many circles. I really gotta learn how to sew circles!” (11:22)

On Submissions & Selection

• Over 2,000 quilts submitted; about 400 displayed.
• Bethany: Urges celebration of all submitters — “There should be an online lookbook of all the quilts that were submitted just so we can see all the brave people who did amazing work and had the courage to submit a quilt. That’s the first hurdle, is just having the courage…” (12:35)
• Audra: #quiltconreject is a badge of honor. “Your creativity is respected… Please do not stop.” (13:18)

Community & Connections

(14:36–22:37)

• Seeing Podcast Guests IRL:
  • Met previous guests, forged new friendships, and hugged many listeners, some for the first time.
  • “The amount of people that were coming up to us and saying, ‘I love your podcast. I listen to it on the way here,’ just means the world.” — Bethany (15:42)
• Power of In-Person:
  • Audra: “This is a very solo sport… but the ability to go out and see your friends and talk to your friends or make new friends—it’s worth the time, effort, money. Every time I take a class or attend, I’m so glad I did.” (16:19)
  • Bethany: “It is soul refilling... I love to see people grow in confidence, learn something new, tackle something hard.” (17:34)
• Memorable Moment: Meeting Verushka (Pride and Joy Quilting):
  • Shared a deep, generous mentoring moment with Verushka, who “treats everyone the same,” and freely shares her knowledge, even following up weeks later with a new approach for Bethany’s quilt problem.

    “She pulls out pen and paper and draws out the block… and in two seconds explained something I wouldn’t have figured out on my own.” — Bethany (20:53)

  • Both hosts adore Verushka's warmth and mentorship:

    “What's really cool about Verushka is there's so much to go around for everyone… it’s undivided attention every single time.” — Bethany (19:14)

Purchases & Notable Buys

(22:37–32:14)

• Bethany’s Haul:
  • Focused on longarming accessories (rulers, panels for practicing FMQ, Superior Threads).
  • Holly Ann from String & Story gave great recommendations: “Just put it in my hands and tell me to buy it because I don’t know where to start…” — Bethany (23:00)
  • Panels for FMQ practice hailed as “great way to practice without spending so much time piecing.” (24:17)
• Audra’s Highlights:
  • Box Bottom Line bobbin thread, Thymtech thimble tape, Foundation Paper Piecing patterns (from Whole Circle Studio), and EQ8 quilt design software/books.
  • On colors for longarm thread: “Nine times out of ten, those are my go-to: gray, creams—because you don’t want to take away from the design.” (25:17)
• Fun Patterns:
  • Both bought FPP patterns from Whole Circle Studio. Audra: “Sew Speedy mini quilt.” Bethany: “Six Foot Ruler” for her niece/nephew and sewing room.
  • Novelty: “Quilt Sandwich” travel sewing kit by Full Quilt Boogie—Sammy the Sandwich—became an instant viral favorite at the show. “When you open it, there’s a tomato pin cushion, little pockets for tools… it’s so freaking cute.” — Bethany (31:14)
• Tech Tools:
  • All bought from EQ8’s booth—“peer pressure” purchases!
  • Audra: “I am one of those older millennials who still likes to have analog things… physical manuals to reference.” (28:29)
  • Bethany upgraded her BlockBase+ for digital block resources but prefers digital learning.

QuiltCon as Industry Event & Networking

(32:14–34:52)

• Evolving Show Purpose:
  • Audra: QuiltCon began as a consumer show—now it’s also a critical industry networking event.
  • “There’s a large contingent that comes for the networking, for exposure, for content. It’s definitely expanding.” (32:46)
  • Bethany was surprised by how essential business materials and a networking mindset are now for QuiltCon.
  • “I was so glad I brought my business cards… it was great networking, especially as a pattern designer.” (33:30)
• Ultimate Recommendation:
  • Both endorse QuiltCon for anyone wanting inspiration, classes, or connections.
  • Next year’s event: Atlanta, GA, Feb 25–28, 2027.

Stickers & Community Swag

(34:52–36:46)

• Trending: Stickers as Icebreaker
  • Both hosts made and traded specialty stickers (e.g., Bethany’s “Frost Yourself” and Diet Coke/“crispy sips and seams” stickers; Audra’s podcast and personal stickers).
  • Advice: Use stickers as a way to initiate conversation with online friends/industry idols.
  • Listener tip: Store stickers on magnetic sheets to preserve and display them in the sewing room.

Stitch & Share: What Did You Make?

(36:46–37:50)

• Bethany: Made her first-ever quilted vest (“Britney vest” by Mellie & Me)—a showstopper, made from Ruby Star Society strawberries.
  • “It was the perfect handmade item for the entire show because it was the only one I could wear the entire time without melting.” (36:55)
• Audra: “I made nothing. And I loved it.” (37:47)

Final Reflections & Looking Ahead

(37:53–end)

• Audra:
  • “My tank is recharged. I loved meeting new friends, I loved seeing old friends. I feel excited and I feel ready to create, and you can’t ask for more than that.” (37:56)
• Bethany promotes her Diet Sewist stickers and new merchandise (“crispy sips and seams” T-shirts, water bottles, notebooks; taking requests for different sodas!).
  • “It’s the energy I need to keep going, keep sewing all night.” (39:38)
• Next Episode Preview:
  • Julius of Julius Handmade will join to discuss foundation paper piecing and creativity.
  • Hosts share stories of meeting Julius at QuiltCon, mentoring moments, and tease an exciting lineup inspired by new connections made at the show.
• Sign-off:
  • Gratitude to listeners for community support:

    “We are so grateful for all of you and all the wonderful people we got to meet at QuiltCon and our listeners. Y’all are the best.” — Bethany (40:58)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “It just feels like a party with all your friends. I get to slow down a little bit and have conversations.” — Bethany (2:12)
• “I love all quilt shows, but there’s something about this one that I look at differently… where the quilting design brings a whole ‘nother level of beauty, aesthetics, meaning, messaging... takes it to an 11!” — Audra (7:12)
• “Don’t be scared of it. This is the time to sit down and… even at shows, we sat down and had a little afternoon chat with Verushka—with pride and joy Quilting...” — Bethany (18:38)
• “The ability to go out and see your friends and talk to your friends or make new friends and share creative ideas, it’s worth the time, it’s worth the money, it’s worth the effort.” — Audra (16:19)
• “There should be an online lookbook of all the quilts that were submitted just so we can see all the brave people who did amazing work and had the courage to submit a quilt.” — Bethany (12:36)
• “Stickers are a conversation starter… Even if you’re nervous to approach someone, just go up and ask, ‘Want to trade stickers?’” — Bethany (35:46)
• “My tank is recharged… I feel excited and I feel ready to create, and you can’t ask for more than that.” — Audra (37:56)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:19 — Icebreaker: Dream Sewing Events
• 01:56 — First-time impressions & differences from previous years
• 04:38 — Booths, crowds, shopping lines
• 06:57 — Quilt appreciation: innovation, craft, artistry
• 12:35 — On submissions, “quiltcon rejects”, and celebrating courage
• 14:36 — Community, friendship, and meeting listeners
• 19:01 — The generosity of Verushka: mentorship & in-person connections
• 22:39 — Purchases & shopping hauls
• 32:14 — QuiltCon as industry networking event
• 34:52 — Stickers and community swag
• 36:55 — Stitch & Share: What Did You Make for QuiltCon?
• 37:56 — Final reflections & Tank refueled
• 40:00 — Next episode preview: Julius Handmade

Summary

Episode 41 brims with contagious post-QuiltCon excitement, a spirit of learning, and deep gratitude for the quilting community—both virtually and in-person. Bethany and Audra’s authentic reflections, personal stories, and actionable tips offer listeners a window into the inspiration, connections, and fun of QuiltCon, whether you attended or just dream of going someday.