crafty-kid

Next weekend I am trying something different for me...I am going to try a bus trip. It's an overnight stay and we will visit 8 shops in 3 states. This should be a fun event. I will know 3 others to start and hope to make a few more friends that enjoy crafting of sorts. Has anyone been on a bus trip? What to expect and how much $ should I plan to bring?

happystitchermm

I have been on one. BE on a budget!!! I looked for fabric for a special quilt. YOU find some neat things. Bring something to work on inbetween shops . Bus trips can get long. On one trip I had to show the driver were to go to a specific shop. Hopefully this won't happen. Have a good time. Bring snacks , Write down what you liked about or dislike a shop. I got introduced to shops that I wanted to go back too. Hope you have a good time.

petpainter

I went on one two weeks ago and had a blast. I didn't go with any of my friends- wanted to meet some new people.
I brought my hexie handwork(so did my neighbor on the bus) for the quiet times.
I also made a list of anything in particular I was looking for, and brought a couple fabrics to match with me. They furnished plenty of water but I did bring carrots to snack on.
Money...I spent a couple hundred but I managed to get everything on my list, so I was pleased. I have a very large LQS at home, so didn't know what to expect. It was fun to see different fabric, samples, and meet the people. Set a limit for yourself and have a blast!!! (oh, mine was one long day trip)

coopah

I did a one day trip with my mom awhile back. We covered NW PA and were on the border of Ohio for one or two shops. We met lovely people, visited shops we'd never find on our own, and came home with some wonderfully different fabrics. (Interesting how shop owner's tastes reflect their choices when buying fabric.)

You'll have such a good time. We had games while on the bus and some were conversation starters and 'get to know you' things. It was all good. Do have a budget. You might not stick to it, but have a $ amount that you know you can handle. Very tempting things as all the shops spruce up for the bus trips! Enjoy!!

SuziSew

I've been on a couple, and loved it! I met so many nice people and we had a great time. Lot's of good advice so far but I'll add you might want to bring a small pillow, depending on the distance between shops you might want to grab a cat-nap! Have a great time and let us know how you liked it after!

crafty-kid

The trip was great...lots of laughs, food, and made new friends! I bought a few more new projects, to make more UFO's haha. Like I needed more projects.

adamae

I have been on bus trips to casinos. Loved it. No driver hassles. Only once, I was paired with a real yo yo seat and room person. That was a d is aster but I handled it, she did not because she wanted a different relationship than I wanted. The seats were comfortable and the hostess managed games, treats, beverages and quiet time. im not sure I would enjoy a quilt shop hop by bus as I am not a companion shopper. But the bus ride was great!

toverly

Have a wonderful time! When I went on a shop hop, I focused on "glorious color" batiks and purchased no more than 2 yards per shop. I went for the batiks that drew my eye in. But then, I'm a scrappy girl. I also looked at patterns. At the end I had some beautiful colors. My friend took a different approach and focused on gathering fabric for a specific pattern. A budget is a great idea. Decide before hand what limit you have in each shop. If you don't spend it, you can spend it at the next one. Not all shops will appeal to your style.