ghostrider

I think the major focus of Quilters' Gathering is intended to be the classes, workshops, and lectures (which are always ranked as outstanding). More so than the quilts and vendors even. It is not promoted as a quilt show, but rather as a quilters' gathering for that very reason.

marybs

I took two full day classes at the Quilter's Gathering and had a great time. Mystery bed runner with Mollly Waddell and Choosing Fabrics with Annie Smith. both were really great!

SuzieQuilts

I usually go to shows for the quilts first, vendors second, but in Camilles defense, For some people, going to LQS' is a rare thing, because of many reasons; distance, time to shop, or maybe health or mobility. So, they see a quilt show as an opportunity to see beautiful quilts, and get a little shopping in. When the vendors are not what they expect, then they are naturally disappointed. "To each it's own", we all have different reasons for attending shows.

linda8450

Our guilt guild hosts a show, just last weekend as a matter of fact, and we have only had a few vendors. Some not even quilt related. A flameless candle line, an antique shop, our local quilt shop with precious few items (she is one of the people that works tirelessly on our show, so she brings what she can) and a lady that makes purses. Hmmmm, didn't go FOR the vendors, but it was nice to see some things I might not get to see if they didn't participate. We had a bazaar table and a silent auction table (3 featherweights donated raised some serious cash for charity) and an "opportunity" quilt (we can't call it a raffle) available. The show was open Friday noon to Sunday early evening. We had a paid judge, gave out cash awards and lots of ribbons. It was a good show. Not big, not stressful, no huge crowds, but we made some money for charity, we showed quilts from all over (last year was Civil War, year before WWII) and nobody was grumbling.

I went to a show last year in a neighboring town, 4 of us drove in. We were soooo disappointed. No vendors (told because it was held in a church, they weren't allowed to sell anything), no ribbons (no judged quilts, just best of show voted on by public and not awarded during the show) The quilts were draped over 4 chairs on top of tables and hung from the 2nd story so high we couldn't read the signs or see the details of the lovely quilts. I won't go back...but not because of the lack of vendors! Could have been vendors lined up out the door and it was still a crummy show!

Jill_in_Texas

I can understand being disappointed in a quilt show - I stopped going to the festival in Houston for four years because it got to be the same thing, year in and year out, including seeing the same quilts for years on end! The vendors all carried the same thing, and frankly, it got to a point where it seemed like there were more "fringe" vendors (i.e., jewelry, beads, etc) than anything I would find helpful in my quilting.

This year, I went back for the first time since 2007, and honestly, I was a bit disappointed. We looked at the quilts, and some of them were stunning, but there seemed to be fewer big quilts and more wall hangings, miniatures, and such. The vendors were giving show specials, and I enjoyed checking out some of them, but by and large, it was the same stuff I could get at one of my LQS.

I do go to the shows to see the quilts, but at the same time, I go to check out anything new that might have hit the market. I am a gadget type of girl, so I love to see what someone has come up with in the way of innovative products, and I'm always disappointed when I find every booth selling the same thing as the previous 200 booths. I would actually think that the ones that have something different would do better business than the ones that are all selling the same thing.

Some quilt shows, it's like walking through Stepford Booths ...

Buckeye Rose

Having never been to a quilt show of any size, I finally discovered there was one close to me. I was excited to finally get to go to one, after seeing and hearing about all the great shows here on the board. So the hubby and I went, and both of us were disappointed as well. It appeared the only judging was visitor voted, there were only two vendors (both LQS and neither had machines or anything different), and lots of the quilts on display were antique (not that they weren't nice, just wanted to see new patterns). I am sure I was expecting too much for a small show, but it sure makes you feel let down a bit. I was hoping to see something new and different at the vendors...or find a piece of fabric at a great price....or be able to actually see someone using a longarm to do FMQ....or to see pricing of new/used machines....or someone demonstrating a new technique. Oh well....will just have to see if there is a big show coming close to me somewhere at the right time.

Luv Quilts and Cats

The last two shows I went to with my quilting friends ( a large show and a local guild show) showed me that my friends were more interested in the vendors than the quilts. I am the opposite. I'd rather look at the quilts than the vendors. I did not have fun. So next show, I will go look at the quilts while they do the vendors.

DebraK

I understand this. when i go with my friends, we all separate to enjoy as we wish and meet up for lunch and a ride home ;-)

bearisgray

I enjoy these types of events more when we agree to meet at such and such a place at such and such a time. If we stay together - fine. If not, even better!

AuntieD

I went to the Flying Geese Quilt show in Oct and enjoyed it very much. It is a local show with excellent quilts, and displays. There were a few vendors and I purchased a couple of items. I went mainly to look at the quilts and related items. There are some large quilt shows in PA that I attend which have lots of vendors. I'm lucky to be able to attend both large and small shows and enjoy them all.