About MQX
How did MQX get started?

Machine Quilters Exposition, LLC (MQX) is an annual machine quilting show and conference founded by machine quilters, Janet-Lee Santeusanio and Mary Schilke. MQX embraces all machine quilters, regardless of the size or model of machine used to complete the quilting process.

What started out as a get together for longarm quilters in New England rapidly morphed into the largest machine quilting show in the United States.  Well known for its friendliness, attention to detail and dedication to their vendors, students and teachers, certainly had humble beginnings.

On April 15, 2000 Janet-Lee organized a group of longarm quilters to hang out, eat, chat, eat and share their machine quilting experiences after seeing several invest in quilting machines then rapidly sell their machines due to the solitary nature of the business.  Forty women showed up in Janet-Lee's living room and it is there that Janet-Lee and Mary met.  Janet-Lee's nose was a bit out of joint as Mary arrived very late with several other women that had just toured numerous quilt shops on the way.  It was a fortuitous meeting.

In 2001 and 2002 Mary Schilke took over the get together moving it to an inn located in Franconia Notch (the White Mountain area), New Hampshire.  In 2002 the ranks had grown to over 100 and it was then that the group decided they wanted to have a quilt show in conjunction with the meeting.  Neither Mary nor Janet-Lee had ever organized or run a quilt show but figuring they could learn as they go, they took the plunge.  These two very opposite women teamed up and formed Machine Quilters Exposition (MQX).

MQX was moved yet again to in Laconia, New Hampshire at the Winnipesaukee Exposition Center in early 2003 and these women formed a 5 year plan to move the show to a convention center in 2008.  A few classes were offered, a vendor mall added and quilts arrived for hanging and they were off! Little did they know that the machine quilting industry was ready to take off and they were in the midst of a dramatic growth period.  In 2003, Janet-Lee and Mary registered 157 students and over 1,000 people showed up to take in the vendors and the quilts.  In 2004 that number grew to 260 students and over 1,800 attendees.

In the summer of 2004 MQX was moved to the convention center in downtown Manchester, New Hampshire and again, these two women saw unprecedented growth.  In 2005 they registered 551 students and over 2,200 attendees and they continue to this day to grow the MQX product.  The numbers still shock these now experienced show organizers ...... 2008 produced 1216 students with another 3,200 additional attendees.  On the last day of the 2008 show, hotel management came to them and said that that the hotel was sold out for 2009....... a full year in advance. 

In 2010 MQX will move this still growing conference to the Rhode Island Convention Center in Providence, Rhode Island.  With the economy in shambles, it is surprising that expansion would even be considered.  Exhibition space will be expanded by 40% to accommodate a demonstration stage, make and take area as well as more vendors, quilt displays and special exhibits.   

Stay tuned for new developments these women have up their sleeves.  Whatever it is, it's sure to be well done and fun!