dinny50

Want to bring a group of quilters over to USA to visit a quilt show next year, looking for the best place to take them...any help would be much appreciated...thank you

quiltstringz

My vote would be either Houston (October) or Paducah (April).

Scissor Queen

Another vote would be for the August show in Loveland Colorado. It's the only show in the country that has all four Hoffman challenge trunks every year. I also love Paducah because it's a small town that really goes all out for the quilt show every year. It's probably already booked for next year though.

DogHouseMom

I can second the vote for Paducah - especially with the quilt shops (Eleanor Burns & Hancocks of Paducah) within such close proximity, as an added bonus it's a smaller town and therefore not as pricey to eat/lodge.

Another great one that can include TONS of shopping in one of the most beautiful parts of the country is AQS in Lancaster PA in March. Tons and tons of shops with quilting and other fabrics. Amish country so lots of Amish wares to be had (not to mention food!!).

Both of the above are AQS shows - they are big shows, with big prize money. Two of the top 5 shows in the country.

In fact ... the two organizations that hold the biggest/bestest shows across the country are AQS and IQA. Below are links to both of the organizations where you can see a complete list of 2013 shows.

http://www.americanquilter.com/

http://www.quilts.com/home/index.php

DogHouseMom

Paducah does book early, but I was able to find lodging in Illinois (about a 40 minute drive) only a few weeks before the show. Ideally I would have preferred to lodge in Paducah, but the drive was actually quite lovely and not at all burdensome.

grammy Dwynn

Sister's quilt show in Sister's Oregon. The second Saturday in July. There are over 1,300 quilts hung all over the town.

http://www.sistersoutdoorquiltshow.org/

dinny50

Thank you for the info, will have a look on the web and speak to the ladies to see when and where they would like to go

deanneellen

I agree with grammy Dwynn. The sisters quilt show is spectacular and the scenery is amazing!

BellaBoo

Your group will have a better time in Paducah, the whole town is part of the show, not just one convention center room. Contact AQS in Jan to be sure to be on the class schedule listing. Most hotels start booking in Jan for the April show.

mosquitosewgirl

Ditto on Sisters! I also love the Pacific International Quilt Festival in Santa Clara, CA here is the link: http://www.quiltfest.com/activities.asp?id=7
Along with the link for the Sisters show: http://www.sistersoutdoorquiltshow.org/

They are each wonderful, and completely different from each other. Let us know where you are going...would love to meet you all!