Disappointed in the Chattanooga quilt show
#21
Junior Member
Join Date: Oct 2011
Posts: 113
I went two days to the Quilt Expo in Madison, WI. It was awesome. Good classes, free half hour mini classes, lots of vendors, and wonderful quilts. If you live close to the midwest this show is a must and it was much better than the one in Chicago in early summer/spring (which is AQS).
#22
Power Poster
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Southern USA
Posts: 16,416
The booth fees for big shows are way out of line in my opinion. It's like the quest quilters that use to be on Simply Quilts. Not many knew the guest had to pay to be on that show. If you paid you were on. If I remember right, the expense was around $3000 for one show. The idea was the quilter was advertising her book, pattern, etc by having exposure.
#23
Super Member
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Sonoma County, CA
Posts: 4,299
Initially I was surprised by how many quilts were not only not perfect, but not any where near perfect. These are not quilts that are being judged, they are there to be enjoyed - not only by the viewer, but by the maker who has put themselves out there and put their work on display.
As far as shows & expos go...funny, I was a little disappointed in a recent expo for the opposite reason...tons of vendors and hardly any quilts to look at! I think that was the first "expo" I had attended and I was expecting it to have more of a show element. But now I know the difference.
The quilt show my guild puts on every year has a good balance of vendors and quilts, I think. It's not a huge show but we get lots of local vendors and a few bigger ones, but it's mostly about the quilts. I love that show so much, to me there is something so powerful about seeing the work done by people in my own close community. (But then, I love the international show too, I also get inspired by seeing how universal quilting is.)
#24
Super Member
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Rapid City, SD
Posts: 4,961
I enjoy going to quilt shows -- went to the Denver show last year and Des Moines the year before. My favorite is the Houston Quilt Festival -- that is the granddaddy of all shows. Their classes are fantastic and vendor mall is outstanding. Even our local quilt show is awesome but we have very few vendors. I like to see the new ideas and types of quilts I probably wouldn't attempt but I do come home inspired and ready to quilt!
#26
Me too. Loved the cows! I loved the quilts that were displayed, but different from something someone else posted, I like to see some of the less intricate quilts as well. The quilts that were there were beautiful, but very professional. I didn't see much that looked like anything I could attempt. I love to get at least one or two ideas for my own quilts when I go. I thought the show was smaller than I expected, but I did enjoy it.
#27
I tried to work out my schedule so that my sister and I could attend this show, but it wasn't in the cards; maybe next year. I have only been to one small one, up at Louisville, KY last year, and really enjoyed it as compared to Paducah (if you can do that). I am asking one of my sisters or cousins who live in LA and TX to watch for upcoming shows in those two states and we can make a really fun trip out of it, without having to use the tour bus deal.
From most of your comments, I would imagine that if AQS books Chattanooga next year, it won't be so good at all.
But then, you never know. We'll see.
From most of your comments, I would imagine that if AQS books Chattanooga next year, it won't be so good at all.
But then, you never know. We'll see.
#28
Power Poster
Join Date: May 2008
Location: MN
Posts: 24,655
The booth fees for big shows are way out of line in my opinion. It's like the quest quilters that use to be on Simply Quilts. Not many knew the guest had to pay to be on that show. If you paid you were on. If I remember right, the expense was around $3000 for one show. The idea was the quilter was advertising her book, pattern, etc by having exposure.
#29
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 395
the show may not have been as great as previous shows. But, I have to wonder if most of it had to do with the economy and the cost for vendors. As for the Quilts, AQS shows have been predominately Modern and Art for several years. And yes--several vendors were in Atlanta and therefore could not afford to do both shows. As this was the first year in Chattanooga, many chose the veteran show in Atlanta
Blessed be
mickey
Blessed be
mickey
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