How to Survive a Quilt Expo
03-05-2014, 10:37 AM
#1
Super Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 9,299
How to Survive a Quilt Expo
My first expo ever is tomorrow in Hunt Valley, MD. It's Thursday thru Sat.) I'm so excited, but also feel I could be easily overwhelmed. I am going with a friend and her 3 month old grandbaby.
What tips do you have for this newbie?
What tips do you have for this newbie?
03-05-2014, 10:51 AM
#2
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Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Western Wisconsin
Posts: 12,930
Bring a camera. I always seem to forget mine, then wish I had one! Just don't take a picture of every quilt or you'll spend the day looking through a viewfinder; take photos of just the very special quilts that appeal to you.
Wear your most comfortable shoes! My feet always start complaining before I am done.
Slip a thin notebook and pen into your handbag so you can jot down notes about vendors. It's easy to overspend on vendor items while you're at a show. Sometimes it's better to jot down the vendor's name and the item you're interested in (especially if it is a specialty ruler or other specialty sewing item), then get online at home to read reviews before purchasing. I have a few specialty items purchased at shows that have never seen the outside of a drawer at home.
Set aside some money for drinks and snacks; helps me last longer at shows.
Oh, and *make sure* that strollers are allowed at the show before you go! They are usually fine at smaller shows, but large shows sometimes ban them.
Wear your most comfortable shoes! My feet always start complaining before I am done.
Slip a thin notebook and pen into your handbag so you can jot down notes about vendors. It's easy to overspend on vendor items while you're at a show. Sometimes it's better to jot down the vendor's name and the item you're interested in (especially if it is a specialty ruler or other specialty sewing item), then get online at home to read reviews before purchasing. I have a few specialty items purchased at shows that have never seen the outside of a drawer at home.
Set aside some money for drinks and snacks; helps me last longer at shows.
Oh, and *make sure* that strollers are allowed at the show before you go! They are usually fine at smaller shows, but large shows sometimes ban them.
03-05-2014, 12:47 PM
#5
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Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Piedmont Virginia in the Foothills of the Blue Ridge Mtns.
Posts: 8,562
03-05-2014, 12:58 PM
#6
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Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Lake Elsinore, CA
Posts: 15,274
I hope that you have a wonderful time at this show, but I agree with the others in that I would not advise going with a child that young. I'm afraid that the baby will not be happy, the other visitors will not be happy, and ultimately you and the baby's grandmother will not be happy. The aisles can be very, very crowded at times, people frequently back up to see the quilts better or to take pictures, and as a result people are always bumping into each other, and there's a very real possibility that someone could fall over the stroller, not expecting it to be there. There aren't usually a lot of places for you and the grandmother to sit down and take care of the baby, the bathrooms can have long lines at times...
I did find online that strollers "filled with children" are allowed at this particular show, but the FAQ adds "Please be courteous to others if you have a stroller!" That probably means not going down the more crowded aisles at all. You might call the show to ask when they expect the crowds to be heaviest, and avoid those times.
I did find online that strollers "filled with children" are allowed at this particular show, but the FAQ adds "Please be courteous to others if you have a stroller!" That probably means not going down the more crowded aisles at all. You might call the show to ask when they expect the crowds to be heaviest, and avoid those times.
03-05-2014, 01:34 PM
#8
Super Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Chula Vista CA
Posts: 7,408
I have no experience with your expo, buy I have been to the Road to California, and there is no room for a stroller. I go on Thursday and Friday, because the weekend there isn't even elbow room, let alone a place to sit down.
Maybe, if they have an area for eating you could take turns tending to the baby.
One rule I do go by when I go to shows - never buy anything the first time through. Bags tend to gain weight as you carry them along and possible to set it down and forget it. So I make notes and go back - if I can't remember the item then I didn't need it after all.
Maybe, if they have an area for eating you could take turns tending to the baby.
One rule I do go by when I go to shows - never buy anything the first time through. Bags tend to gain weight as you carry them along and possible to set it down and forget it. So I make notes and go back - if I can't remember the item then I didn't need it after all.
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