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MQX: An Adventure Worth Exploring

Anticipation runs high when going to a quilting conference for the first time. Arrival at the airport in Manchester, NH, for MQX was smooth since the airport is brand new. Renting a car was an unnecessary expense because getting to the downtown convention hotel was a quick phone call and a 10-minute free shuttle ride provided by Radisson. Upon entering the Radisson Hotel the first thing that hits you is a massive banner that says “Welcome to the Adventure we call MQX.” The next thing that hits you is the hum of excitement. The lobby was abuzz with vendors, teachers, students, hotel staff and MQX staff welcoming everyone. The jitters of the unknown dissipated and here was a sense of relief with the atmosphere friendly and inviting.

MQX Founders Janet-Lee Santeusanio and Mary Schilke seemed to know everyone! The hugs to old friends and warm greetings to those they had only known from the Internet filled the air. The registration process was opened early to get a head start on processing the 1,200 students who pre-registered. To the left of the student processing area was a colorful display of MQX merchandise; t-shirts, sweatshirts, aprons, denim shirts, mugs and all things MQX were displayed on wooden “people.” The line at the merchandise counter was consistently long and considering the chilly spring weather, clothing sold out quickly.

Linda Ouelette and Helen Gosselin of Red Barn Sewing & Yarn Center chat with a customer

Classes began first thing on the morning of April 11. MQX hires the most renowned instructors in the machine quilting industry, yet they give new teachers (who want to give teaching a try) their first break. The roster of 175 classes was nothing short of amazing. There were piecing, art, drawing, lecture, hands-on, product specific and technique classes offered on longarm, midarm and domestic sewing machines. Something for everyone!

That evening, the exhibition halls were open to registered students, teachers, staff and volunteers. The Armory, a 13,000 square foot exhibition hall, was unveiled first from 5 to 7 p.m. This space is beautiful with hardwood floors and little white lights intertwined throughout the exposed trusses. The MQX 2007 Best of Show winner, Mary Kay Price’s quilt aptly named “The Crown Jewels” was showcased and was deserving of the award and its name since it had spectacular machine quilting and just enough crystals to enhance it. The Ricky Tims’ “Expressions: The Art Quilt” exhibit was shown as well as 19 quilts from the Tri State Longarm Quilters Guild. These 19 quilts were all pieced out of the same pattern and fabrics with the machine quilting as individual as each owner. A true comparison exhibit of how machine quilting, batting and thread choices can impact the final look of a quilt. Peppered throughout the Armory were MQX competition quilts and their newest category, Quilted Wearables.

Vendors of note in this hall were a handmade jewelry and button company called, “We’ve Got the Buttons,” the EuroSteam Iron and Quilts of Valor. QOV, as the organization is known, was unveiled two years ago at MQX 2005 and each year the founders offer up free space to this hard working organization.

The Expo Center opened from 6 to 8 p.m. and this 30,000 square foot hall was jam packed with vendors, quilts and exhibits. It was great to have warmed up to all the excitement with the smaller venue first since the Expo Center had the potential for visual overload. All the major players in machine quilting were there vending their wares. The advancements in quilting machine technology is amazing and now they even come in colors! The 40 winning quilts from the $100,000 Quilting Challenge were in residence, including the $100,000 winner. The MQX competition quilts certainly highlight how far machine quilting has come over the last few years. With MQX’s prizes and awards valued in excess of $20,000, this show attracts quilts from some of the most well-known machine quilters in the country.

MQX opened to the public on the morning of April 12 but an unwanted guest also arrived…SNOW! A highly touted “Nor’Easter” fizzled out resulting in a few inches of slushy snow and very few attendees showing up to see the show. The founders and vendors were very disappointed with the weather forecasted to improve for the next two days. Students virtually had MQX to themselves and they seemingly took advantage of the less crowded shopping. Weather on April 13 and 14, although not great, was certainly better than snow so the attendance was high.

A total of about 3,000 people came to see the show over the three days. By the close of the show, most vendors showed improved sales over the previous year.

On the evening of April 12, the quilted garments were highlighted in the first MQX Fashion Extravaganza. Gayle Wallace and Leslie Tallaksen had recruited garments and models from all over and these garments ranged from elegant to downright fun. Marcia Stevens modeled a spectacular jacket/capri set made by Linda Thiefoldt and she rocked to the music, strutting her stuff on the catwalk with pink spiky highlights in her hair. Marilyn Badger’s “Sophisticated Lady” was the Best of Wearables winner which lent an air of elegance to the evening. Other garments of note were by Summerset Banks who won three first places for her entries. As part of the show’s fifth anniversary celebration, there were lots of door prizes and Janet-Lee teased and taunted the audience during intermission. There were many happy audience members carrying out lots of goodies.

Awards and prizes were handed out by MQX sponsors with Janet-Lee and Mary offering up a multitude of door prizes. Viewer’s Choice went to Renae Haddadin of Utah for her Sugar & Spice entry. Robbi Joy Eklow was the featured speaker and the banquet hall was filled with laughter. Janet-Lee and Mary spoke of the possibility of adding another show to the western part of the country in the fall of 2008 but at press time, there were still no concrete plans in place. 

The banquet ended with the naming of the 2006 Machine Quilting Teacher-of-the-Year. With the audience on their feet, Linda V. Taylor of Melissa, TX, was called to the podium to accept this prestigious award. Almost too emotional to speak, Linda graciously accepted her award and her acceptance speech had many in tears. What a great conclusion to a thoroughly enjoyable evening.

As the show wound down on April 14, Mary and Janet-Lee were a bit melancholy. They said, “We work 361 days for four days of friends, fun and quilts. It is difficult to watch it all come to a close and for everyone to go home.”

This show was a pleasure to be part of and it is easy to see why they attract students from as far away as Australia, Europe, South Africa, Canada and all over the United States. Each day was stress-free and the wonderful MQX staff remained smiling and helpful throughout the long hours.

The most interesting aspect of MQX is the friendly, warm atmosphere that these two ladies have fostered. It is a show and conference that has all the elements and presence of a national show but the feel of a guild show. No small achievement, for certain. This year was the show’s fifth anniversary and if this is what the show looks like after just five years, there’s no telling what these two women can accomplish! MQX is truly an adventure that is worth exploring.

Information on MQX may be obtained at www.MQXShow.com. Dates for 2008 are April 14-19, 2008, with classes running all six days and the public quilt show from April 17-19.

Reprinted from Quilting Now magazine, August 2007