What do you buy at Quilt Shows?
#51
Super Member
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Saratoga, Arkansas
Posts: 1,909
What a great question!!! I'm headed from Mexico (where quilting notions are not to be found) to the Atlanta, Ga show in Mid Sept. It'll be my first one. Since I'm relatively new to quilting, I'm debating Amazon buys or wait until I see what to get at the show. I'd like opinions about which place to buy the Brother PQ1500S - Amazon or wait for the quilt show? How about notions?
#52
Super Member
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Saratoga, Arkansas
Posts: 1,909
I make a list of things I'm looking for and can't get locally and then I buy other things that I didn't know I "needed" until I saw them I've even bought comfortable shoes and chair rests in addition to sewing and quilting "stuff". All I can say is plan your budget ahead of time because you can spend a fortune.
#53
Since the MQS in Overland Park, Kansas is in May, I have received my Mother's Day and birthday treat to visit my DD and the show at once. A few years ago, the show was on my birthday. Fun! I was admiring some of the continus line stencils. I lost my DD for a while and as we were leaving, she handed me a bag with more than a dozen of the stencils!! Sweet gal and great collection of stencils.............Aren't I lucky?
#54
Went to quilt show in Crossville TN in June. Saw Pineapple Ruler and pattern on sale at show for $23. Didn't have $$ at the time. Cannot find it for sure not knowing exactly which one it was. Looked really slick from demo given. Want to kick myself now for not making myself buy it that weekend. Did anyone else on this board attend that show and know which one I'm referring to? Looking online there are several choices.....
#55
Junior Member
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Central Florida
Posts: 242
I look for things that are new and different. No point in buying and carrying around things I could get at my LQS where I get a discount. Each year I find I'm buying a little less because there's just not that much that's new
#57
Power Poster
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Lowell, MA
Posts: 14,083
Occasionally I have gone with a plan, like one year when I was specifically looking for cat/kitten fabric. However, mostly I look for unusual patterns and fabric, either in yardage of fat quarters. I usually try to get something a little different or unusual.
#58
I have been to Houston Quilt Festival twice. Went two days each time, and if I had not been so worn out I would have gone a third day. I have never seen so many vendors under one roof. The first year I had my heart set on a Roxanne Sterling Silver thimble. I spent the $99 and never regretted it. I hand quilt and it has really increased my accuracy. Also I buy hand quilting thread in many colors because I can only find white and off white at my LQS. I bought several stencils the first year and have used all by one of them. The first year a lady who does tiny gorgeous crocheted earrings had a display. I really wanted a pair of the earrings, but I had already indulged myself with the thimble, so I didn't buy. But the following year, I needed to buy a birthday present for my step-daughter, who used to crochet, so I did buy a pair for her. Maybe this year I will get mine. Jenny Doan at Missouri Star Quilt Co had demonstrated an eye spy quilt made with blocks that looked like jars. So I found a bunch (and I do mean a bunch) of fat quarters in prints of every imaginable fruit, vegetable, nuts, etc to 'fill' the jars with. Still haven't made the quilt, but have what I need when I'm ready. It is just so much fun to look at everything, even if you don't buy a lot.
#59
I look for fabric that catches my eye. I look at the quilts on display in the vendors and if I like something I see, I will buy that pattern. Visit the demonstrations some vendors put on using a product they are selling like rulers or a new technique. You may see something that strikes you as making your quilting easier. It's fun to learn about what's out there. Have fun and enjoy the show!
#60
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: New England
Posts: 865
I go to the Vermont Quilt Festival every year, and my budget varies. Some years, I can buy whatever I want, within reason. Other years, I have to be more focused. One year, I bought no fabric at all. This year, I allowed myself to buy fabric only to go with a series of quilts - all from the same part of my fabric stash -- on which I'm working. I have been collecting fabric for this series for eight years now. This year, I bought four pieces of fabric yardage, two yards each, a dozen threads I needed from Superior Threads, and several books. I told myself that if I did not buy much there, I could afford the order of sale thread from Connecting Threads that I wanted and have now ordered.
In 2008 and 2009, when the economy was so bad, the vendors complained that they did not make enough sales to justify coming back. Some refused checks as one check was a large part of their sales then and if it bounced, they were in trouble. The Aurifil dealer was skittish about taking a $300 check from me; it was a bigger sale than all their other sales combined that year. I think all the vendors did better this year.
In 2008 and 2009, when the economy was so bad, the vendors complained that they did not make enough sales to justify coming back. Some refused checks as one check was a large part of their sales then and if it bounced, they were in trouble. The Aurifil dealer was skittish about taking a $300 check from me; it was a bigger sale than all their other sales combined that year. I think all the vendors did better this year.
Last edited by cricket_iscute; 07-28-2013 at 03:51 PM.
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