peaceandjoy

Wow, your comments were a surprise! Friends and I drove from 5 hours away and loved the vendors but not the quilts. With the exception of several Baltimore Album type quilts and one basket quilt, we saw nothing traditional at all - art quilts were definitely the majority shown, by far.

It seemed clear, based on what the vendors were carrying - traditional quilt fabrics with some batiks and modern prints, lots of embroidery-embellished patterns (Crabapple Hill, Holly Hill, etc.), great variety of hand work notions (threads, assorted needles, floss, thimbles, etc.). I did see one shoe vendor, two hand cream vendors, two massage pillow vendors and two basket vendors (although one of them also had fabrics) and few carrying jewelry. Out of over 150 vendors, there were less than a dozen that weren't directly sewing related (although probably even the hand cream vendors, massage pillow vendors, and lint brush vendor would probably argue that they are also sewing-related!).
We spent a great deal more time at the vendor mall than viewing quilts. While we definitely wanted to shop, we also wanted to be inspired. While I can appreciate the work in art quilts, they aren't pieces that I would make for my home or for friends. Some of them were downright disturbing!

Dodie

I have almost quit going to shows and in fact many of them have quit because for the smaller shows they cannot afford to put them on anymore ---one thing is finding the place to hold it and the insurance costs have sky rocketed so therefore the admittance cost has risen then so many quilts are what I call micro wave quilts as the days of the hand quilter and applique are gone and also quilt shop owners can no longer afford the travel and extra employees for the weekend and also high cost of fabric etc just does not make it profitable we are in changing times now I see Buggy Barn Quilts are closing

grann of 6

I live about equal distance between Lancaster and Oaks. Lancaster was a disappointment also. I loved the Hershey show. None of the shows had a YLI booth this year. Last year I had a very nice conversation with the YLI Rep about his products, but certainly missed seeing him this year. As far as the quilts displayed, art quilts are certainly becoming popular, and the modern quilt was well represented. But there is a definite decline in traditional quilting, maybe because we are having more younger quilters joining in on our hobby. I have only been quilting and going to shows for about 5 years, and have seen quite a change in what is being shown. Hopefully we will get back to traditional styles soon. I am not fond of all the bling on the quilts. I guess if you have wall space to display them it is fine, but I sure wouldn't want bling on my bed. And the vendors will come if their product sells, otherwise we won't see them. It is too expensive for them to have a booth if they don't sell anything.

Onebyone

When I go to a show I know shopping at vendor booths is part of it. If the vendors don't make any money then they won't show up, then the show venue will be moved to another area. Just like the Ohio NQS show has moved to Little Rock. Not enough attendance in Ohio to support the vendors.

coopah

Our quilt show is every other year. This year the vendors were contacted and one specifically said he made no money at our show and wouldn't be coming. Remember that vendors have travel expenses, usually includng meals, motels, gas, possibly leaving someone else to run/manage the 'regular' place of business. Plus they have to pay for their 'spot' at the show.

dc989

Our QS was way down on vendors too. Reasons given were conflicting events, not enough profit and travel expenses. Two of the fabric vendors had fabric over $13 a yard. Rumor is their sales were way down. Really!!!! I wonder why! One machine vendor, but little traffic in the booth. Few can afford $1000's for new machines.

Jo Anne B.

Will be interesting to see what the upcoming Quilt show in Des Moines will be like.

Onebyone

I don't expect to find bargain prices at quilt shows. The venue is not for that.

quiltingshorttimer

Our Guild annual show is this weekend--almost 170 quilts, demos, presenter, door prizes, opportunity quilt, boutique--but only about 5 vendors. Not for lack of effort! Our booth price is low and most contacted were close enough that no hotel expenses. But they stated reasons for not coming as the hassle of packing, getting someone else to cover shops, few shopper, etc. Ours is not a big regional show, but many guilds in our area are not having shows any more (or at least not annually) as members have gotten older and don't want the tremendous amount of work that it takes to pull together a show. So conflicts with other shows is not an issue. But I sItill find the show inspirational. And if you are looking for traditional quilts, and lower prices--but few vendors--then I'd suggest you check out some smaller shows.

I like to see the art quilts, modern quilts, appliqued, and blinged--not things that I typically do, but seeing them does make me think about what I could be doing!

callie8799

Sew Watts quilter- I came away with the feeling of being uninspired. I usually take a day off of work to attend, but glad I didn't do that this year. Perhaps it was just an off year for them. I went on Saturday- and some of the vendors looked wiped out The quilts on the display were nice and I do appreciate the work and feelings that were put into it, but none of them wow'd me like previous years. As far as the vendors, it seems like machines and tools seemed to be the focus and not patterns. Guess the internet could have played a roll in that?
Since I only live 30 min away, I'll probably keep attending- perhaps it was an off year for the company.
Kind of glad I left uninspired- I'll probably be poorer and my closet be fuller