That is a great idea. I will have to try out that system this year.Since I am still a new quilter <2yrs it is easy to overwhelm me with the possibilities.

I look at the quilts and activities first. Then take a break, sit down and eat something. Then off to the vendors!!

I got to the quilts first. I might see something that inspires me to make a purchase of a special tool or fabric. LOL

Quilts first! Then demos then vendors last.

Just enjoyed the Quilt Show in Lancaster, PA. Looked at the quilts first. Amazing works or art. Well worth the trip up to Lancaster. But then the Vendor's got me into trouble. Found a machine I really liked at a great price but walked away from it. Drove an hour back home, told my hubby about it and he raised cain with me. So a quick phone call to the vendor that I was heading back up and off we went. I'm now the proud owner of my 2nd Husqvarna Viking. It's the Sapphire 835 and I've been working on it almost nonstop. Love it. But my old Quilt Designer is still going strong. And my Featherweight is a work horse. I'm one lucky lady with a great sweetheart of a hubby, smile.

Quilts first, then when I get overwhelmed by that, vendors, then quilts again, then vendors - with of course some stops for food along the way.

I always look at the quilts first even if it is just a small local quilt show. Plus over the last several yrs I have started only buying stuff at the vendors that I can't find locally as I feel I should support my LQS first.

Usually, I look at the quilts first. But, last year I did that and missed out on Marti Michell's Log Cabin Ruler. So, I'm torn. I did get her book, however.

I usually look at half the quilts first, then start vendor shopping on the opposite side, where there are less crowds. I finish up with vendors and often try to get back to booths that were too crowded the first time around. I look at all the quilts eventually to appreciate the hard work. I was in Columbus one time, and was taking a picture of a small wallhanging. A lady came up to me and said "I'm so happy you took a picture of my quilt, no one else had!" I love the vendors but without the quilts it wouldn't be a show.

I must confess I look at the quilts but it is a fast walk through. I am most interested in the vendors. If you think about it they also have many quilts on display as samples. They often have kits that allow you to make the quilt displayed. As a handquilter and with fairly traditional tastes I really don't consider many of the current quilts in shows as really being a quilt. Some of them are so heavily machine quilted and embelished they wouldn't even bend. I am most interested in the vendors as they are often ones I have done mail order with. It is so nice to be able to see their wares up close and personal. I didn't go to the Lancaster show this year but I only would have attended the "free" vendors mall at the former location. Most of the quilts being displayed at the official show will be in other shows I will be attending later in the season.