First Timer's Guide

Welcome to your first QuiltCon!

Whether you’re QuiltCon-curious or officially booked and ready to go, this guide has everything you need to navigate your first QuiltCon experience with confidence.

What is QuiltCon?

QuiltCon is the largest modern quilting event in the world, bringing together thousands of quilters from around the globe to celebrate modern quiltmaking. There are workshops, lectures, a curated vendor hall, community, and TONS of inspiration.

You don’t need to be an MQG member to attend QuiltCon, but it can have some perks, like early access to registration and discounts on classes and lectures.

QuiltCon Basics

QuiltCon 2026 is February 19-22, 2026, at the Raleigh Convention Center in Raleigh, NC.
The event consists of a world-class quilt show, curated vendor hall, demo stage, workshops, lectures, and most important - amazing community!
QuiltCon is a four day event - come for as many days as you like!
You build your own schedule. Member registration for workshop and lectures, if that’s of interest to you, opens on August 20, 2025.

To set expectations, workshops do sell out quickly. You can sign up on a workshop waitlist as we offer those on the waitlist a seat if one becomes available.
Lectures do not often sell out. If you want to have a set plan ahead of time, register for your lectures now. If you’re flexible, you can purchase a lecture seat at the door.

You will need a four day show pass or single day pass to attend. Click here to learn more!
There are opportunities to Volunteer and attend an Affinity Space meet up - these are great ways to meet others!

Top QuiltCon Pro Tips

Wear comfortable walking shoes - there is SO MUCH to see.
Choose your own adventure - there is no one way to experience QuiltCon! Each daily experience can look different based on the different workshops, lectures, demonstrations, volunteering, or group meet ups you choose, as well as time spent viewing the quilts and shopping the vendor hall.
Leave breaks in your schedule! You may need a moment of quiet and rest or space in your schedule for spontaneous adventure.
Visit the MQG Shop early! (Click here to learn more about the MQG Shop at QuiltCon!)
But first, you can pre-order the QuiltCon Merch Pack!
Check out onsite concession options in January, here on this website!
If you’re an MQG member, join the QuiltCon Community online - start a discussion, ask about hotels or dining options, and maybe even make a new friend to explore QuiltCon with!
If you register in advance, in TBD month, you will receive an email with instructions on how to access the QuiltCon app - download it and use it at the event. From the daily schedule to the vendor booth map and more, it makes navigating QuiltCon a breeze!

MQG Membership & QuiltCon

Anyone can come to QuiltCon, but it sure does pay to be an MQG member if you are planning to attend QuiltCon!

Benefits of MQG membership at QuiltCon:

Early Registration: Register before it opens to the general public!
Save 20% on workshops and lectures until October 31, 2025
Receive a four-day show pass free with a $50 purchase of workshops, special events, and lectures.

If you're not already a member, join us today.

When can I register for QuiltCon? Do workshops fill up quickly?

Member registration opens August 20, 2025; non-member registration opens September 17, 2025. If there is a specific workshop you see in the schedule that you wish to register for, we highly recommend registering as soon as possible. Many workshops sell out very quickly, some within the first hours of registration opening.

Do I have to buy a four-day badge to register for workshops and lectures?

Yes, you must register for a four-day show badge to sign up for any workshop, lecture, or tour in advance of QuiltCon.

I am so excited to take as many workshops as I can! How many do you suggest?

There are so many wonderful things to do at QuiltCon! Many first-timers can feel overwhelmed, so we suggest changing up your activities throughout the day. Plan to take breaks, shop the vendor hall, visit the Quilt Show multiple times, and check out the Demo Stage. With all the activities at QuiltCon, you may only want to take 1-2 workshops your first year attending QuiltCon. This way, you can experience a little bit of everything! Learning in workshops is great, but definitely don’t overload yourself, and be sure to leave room for other activities!

What if I don’t get the workshops I want?

After a workshop sells out, a waitlist opens in the registration system. A waitlist spot can open at any time, and we contact people via email when a seat opens up for them. Waitlists certainly do not guarantee getting into a workshop, but they are your best hope if a workshop you want to take is sold out. Waitlist notifications will come from register@themodernquiltguild.com. Remember that QuiltCon is SO MUCH MORE than just workshops! There are lectures, there are quilts to see, shopping to do, friends to make - so don’t get discouraged if you don’t get the workshops you want.

QuiltCon Goodie Bags

Our amazing sponsors always give us fun swag and a cute commemorative bag that we give away randomly to any MQG member who registers and pays for their registration by November 30, 2025. The bags are distributed onsite, and goodie bag winners will not be notified in advance. Look for a special icon on your badge when you check in at registration. Don't worry about missing things; there will be lots of helpers around at the registration area to help you find everything.

Other (amazing) QuiltCon Merch

The Goodie Bag isn't the only way to take a bit of QuiltCon home with you! The 2026 Commemorative merch pack pre-order is open now and will be available through December 31, 2025. The best way to make sure that you get this year’s pin, shirt, and bag is to pre-order, and it saves you money, too! During your pre-order, you can choose if you wish to pick up your merch pack in person at the show or have it shipped to you afterward. No refunds are available for merch pack pre-orders. There will be a limited number of shirts, bags, and other fun items to purchase in the MQG Shop, which opens on Wednesday evening and stays open for the duration of the show.

Workshop & Lecture FAQ

I signed up for workshops! Do I need to bring basic sewing supplies?

The MQG works very hard to make traveling with your workshop supplies as easy as possible. Every workshop room will have the following shared supplies for students.

Cutting Mats
Rotary Cutters
6” x 24” Rulers
Irons and Ironing Mats
Scissors

Students are welcome to bring any supplies they wish, but please do not bring any extra irons for safety and power concerns. If you register for a workshop, you will receive an email with the supply list information well before QuiltCon begins.

Sewing machines are also generously provided by our sponsors for any workshop that requires a machine!

Will my 6-hour workshop have a break for lunch?

Yes! There will be a lunch break from 12:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. for all 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. workshops, and a dinner break from 4:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. We require all students to exit the workshop rooms during these breaks to allow for faculty and event staff to have a break as well. Please be aware that food vendors in the convention center are normally very busy during these times, so please plan accordingly.

If I buy a lecture pass, can I just stay in the lecture hall throughout without having to get up between lectures?

You can leave your bag or personal belongings in the lecture hall between lectures at your own risk, however, we do need to scan attendees for each lecture to ensure that we are not surpassing the fire code guidelines for the space, so you will be asked to step out and get scanned back in. This also allows each lecturer a few quiet moments to prepare for their lecture without an audience, which is greatly appreciated.

Join the QuiltCon Community

This year, we've set up a special community just for QuiltCon attendees and those considering attendance who want to learn more about the event from other MQG members. Any MQG member can join the community and start a discussion, ask about hotels or dining options-maybe even make a new friend to explore QuiltCon with!

Join the QuiltCon 2026 Community

Preorder the QuiltCon 2026 Merch Pack!

Preorders are now open for the QuiltCon 2026 merch pack, featuring limited-edition artwork designed by Ruby Star Society! Order yours today.

Preorder the QuiltCon 2026 Merch Pack

QuiltCon is about Community, Art, & Education. We can't wait to see you there!

Be a Volunteer!

Volunteering is a great way to participate in the event and get to know other quilters. QuiltCon would not be possible without the help of our amazing volunteers! Volunteers help sign attendees into workshops, use white gloves in the quilt show to help attendees see close-ups of quilt fronts/backs, answer general questions, meet and greet attendees, help staff our bag check area, and so much more. Each volunteer receives a special shirt as one of our thanks for your service. Volunteer shift sign-ups begin in September, so consider signing up! And keep in mind that most volunteer tasks are assigned onsite, based on the number of people who turn up for their shift, and the event needs during that time.

Learn More

Make sure to visit the MQG Shop early!

The MQG Shop at QuiltCon always has the best limited-edition merchandise. You can always pre-order some of that merchandise through the registration process, where you can order the three-part commemorative merch pack for the event. This pack always includes an event t-shirt, an event pin, and a third item that changes from year to year. Any merchandise onsite is limited and when it’s gone, it’s gone for good - so visit the MQG Shop early for the best selection!