Volunteer at QuiltCon

How do I sign up to volunteer?

Sign-ups open on Thursday, September 19, 2024. You can apply via the button on this page and look at available times and tasks. We do not require any special skills to volunteer for QuiltCon 2025.

What are the benefits of volunteering for QuiltCon?

In return for your help, you get a warm, fuzzy feeling inside, knowing you’ve done a good deed and a rockin’ t-shirt showing the world you’ve joined the elite team of QuiltCon volunteers!

If you volunteer for 16+ hours at QuiltCon, you will be eligible to register early for the following QuiltCon! Early registration allows for the best choice of workshop registrations. Our Super Volunteers who volunteer for 16+ hours also receive a goody bag and a second t-shirt.

Volunteering is also a great way to meet others at QuiltCon and to see behind-the-scenes.

Do I get free parking/hotel?

Volunteers do not receive discounted or free parking, nor do they receive any other expense reimbursement or perks.

Are there rules or guidelines for volunteers to follow?

All volunteers are required to agree to our standard guidelines in the sign-up process. You can read our guidelines at the bottom of this page.

What positions can I volunteer for?

Volunteers work in shifts varying from two to four hours and are assigned a duty based on the needs at the time of their shift. Shift assignments can vary, but the main areas volunteers help staff include:

• General Event Setup – From opening boxes to folding merchandise, our setup volunteers are so important to getting QuiltCon kicked off properly!
• Quilt Hanging – With over 500 quilts to hang, we need all hands on deck! Volunteers work in teams of three to hang, steam, and fuss quilts to make sure they all look their best before the show opens.
• Workshops – Workshop rooms need daily setup and maintenance, from taking class attendance to offering to support an instructor’s needs during a class. 
• Registration – Welcome attendees, answer basic questions, and sell daily tickets. Registration volunteers often also help direct attendees toward their workshop, the lecture hall, and/or to join the correct line.
• White Glove – Help attendees appreciate the show quilts in detail, by gently holding quilts while wearing white gloves Volunteers will also help remind attendees not to touch the quilts!
• Directions/Friendly Face – Welcome attendees to the event, answer basic questions.
• General Takedown – What goes up must come down! Takedown volunteers assist with the dismantling of all parts of QuiltCon, including boxing up and inventorying items as they are packed in addition to taking down quilts.
• Quilt Return Shipping – Quilts are shipped back to owners the Monday following QuiltCon, at the convention center, and volunteers assist with folding and packaging quilts for their journey home.

Volunteer shifts are available on a first-come-first-served basis, and once capacity has been reached, there will be no further opportunities to volunteer for QuiltCon 2025. Plans can change though, so check back to see if a shift you want to volunteer for has opened up. 

When should I arrive for my shift?

Please arrive for your shift no more than 5-10 minutes before your scheduled start time to check in and pick up your t-shirt, if you haven’t done that previously. This will help ensure that everyone can receive overall shift directions and be on time to their designated volunteer area.

There is no need to check in as a volunteer outside of your shift check-in.

When should I pick up my volunteer shirt?

You can pick up your volunteer shirt at your shift, but if you’re volunteering on Sunday or Monday, try to pick it up by Saturday! You will need to wear your volunteer shirt for each shift you sign up for.

Can I sign up to volunteer with a friend?

Absolutely! We love to see friends or family members volunteering together. We ask that each volunteer signs up for their own shift, this way we can keep an accurate count of who is signed up, as well as make sure that we have the correct contact information and shirt size for each person.

What does that mean if I sign up to volunteer as a Workshop Assistant?

Workshop assistant volunteers are responsible for helping with the setup/maintenance of the workshop rooms, taking attendance, tidying up following the end of a workshop, and generally assisting the workshop staff with any tasks they may need help with. You will not be preassigned to a specific workshop, as all tasks are handed out once you arrive at the workshop space. If your assigned workshop instructor requests additional assistance during their session, you may stay and assist an instructor, but if you are not needed, you’ll report back to the volunteer coordinator for another assignment until the workshop ends. You will still need to assist with clean-up following the end of the workshop.

I have limited mobility, can I still volunteer?

Yes, please! We have a wide variety of tasks available for volunteers and will happily find a volunteer role you can assist with.

Do I still need to register for QuiltCon?

Yes! Volunteers should still register for QuiltCon to make sure they have a proper name badge at the event. Remember MQG members receive a free Four-Day Show Pass during member registration through November 30th, so be sure to log into the registration system to claim yours!

What do I do if I need to change or cancel a shift I signed up for?

If you need to change or cancel a shift, you can do so at any point by following the original sign-up link on this page or through the view/change commitments link on the confirmation email that you will receive from the SignUp system.