This will be the first year that I go to the Azalea quilt show with friends. For some reason I have not ever really wanted to go to the quilt show with anyone. I like to wander, stop at different kiosks, ask questions, loiter a bit and, if I want to, leave. This year, my 2 BFF's will be here in town. I wonder how that is going to work out?? Keep you posted.

DH and I were discussing this topic the other day - he actually likes to go to the shows as much as I do. We had taken a break from shows because at one point, they all seemed the same. I mean - how many GFGs can you look at before you get bored? But now I got the bug. I want to be inspired by the colors, the patterns, yes - the vendors, and we are mapping the shows into the calender. My budget is limited and I will not buy much but I want to enjoy the venues nonetheless.

I love to go to quilt shows and there are several nice ones in the area. I like the traditional quilts and sometimes something else strikes me. Love the art quilts but have to hang them. They just don't look right on a bed as sometimes things get lost. I have made a number of picture quilts but they are small and can be hung. I like to see everything and hate it when I hear people being critical about someones quilt. Enjoy them and they must be very proud to have the quilt hung in a quilt show. We really aren't the "quilt police".

Dallas Quilt Show
 

I have been to the Dallas Show and enjoyed it. Have also been to the OKC Quilt Show--nice. I live in Galveston now, a lot farther away from both. When I was in Central, TX, Temple, it was easier to go to those. But....I am closer to the Houston International Quilt Show! now!!

I agree. Sounds like burnout. Sorry about your not having a job for so long.
I wouldn't be wanting to be in a place to be tempted to spend money I shouldn't
either.
I've always enjoyed 'looking' as much or more than buying. Some quilts are absolutely
not my style of choice but it's fun to see all the work and thought that some people
have put into them.

totally or they make me green with envy!

Jaquie, I went to that quilt show last year and spent very little because I tend to run around indecisive about anything until it's too late or I'm too tired to care. In fact, I realized after I went home and read the brochure that the sweet woman selling tickets had undercharged me, giving me the senior rate which I was a little too young for. I have mixed feelings about saving that buck! If you can justify the trip to Dallas to see your sister and friends, go and have a good time. Or if you're burned out on quilt shows for now, how about visiting the Dallas Arboretum in the beautiful spring weather? Maybe all the colorful flowers will inspire a quilt.

Last year I ran into a nearby neighbor of mine at the show who had just won a major ribbon for her quilt, and it was inspiring just to see that, though I'll never have the drive to create anything as flawless and artistic as her work.

My philosphy about impulse spending is to treat it as a wise gambler would. Decide ahead of time how much you are going to spend and only take that much with you. When you do spend it, decide that what you bought was the price of your recreation for that day, and if the purchases pay off as things you'll actually use, that's a bonus. My husband's hobby is golf, and all he has to show for his ($$$!!!) expenditures are score cards. If I see something more costly that I can't live without, the dealers all have business cards, and there will always be another chance after I've had time to think about it.

I live less than an hour away from one of the biggest quilt shows on the planet and didn't go to that one last fall. I go once every few years, but my grandbaby is in the Dallas area, so if the timing is right for visiting him, I'll go again. Not counting the 200 mile trip (which was justified by the family visit), the Dallas show had a reasonable admission price and parking was free, if I remember right.

Our Woodlands Area Quilt Guild is getting ready to host its first quilt show in April, and I can't wait to go to that one.

Sorry - double post.

I love going to quilt shows but come away feeling totally inadequate...but that last only a day or so...lol...I don't care if my quilts are show stoppers or not..I just love doing it...

Rose_P,
FUnny you should mention the Arboretum! MY master gardener group is doing a bus tour down there the SAME weekend as the show! Might pop over there on Sat!

The first quilt show I went to was a show of regional winners... or the best of the best. After seeing it, I wanted to go home and spit on my quilt. Haven't gone to another. I was happy in my delusions that my quilting was pretty good.

Come to my Quilt Retreat House for a weekend of creativity instead of letting go of your money. Let me know if you would like to know more. The fees are most reasonable.

I haven't been to a big quilt show in the past 3 or 4 years and can't say I've missed it. I love the smaller local shows. Last big one we went to, BFF & I went to several workshops and really enjoyed that.

Shows inspire me. I do try to stay away from the vendor area though--grin Ok not totally, but do go with a list of things I am looking for and try to only buy what I know I need. Of course I have a good stash of fabrics and threads etc, so really do not need to spend. The quilts on display are what I love looking at.

Have never been to one but there is a big show comming to Halifax at the end of may and plan to attend. Am all excited about going. it is supposed to be a big show.Hope to be inspired .Midgie

I'm like you I prefer to wander on my own. I usually start out with my friends then go my own way after awhile then they don't feel so much like I am deserting them. The last time I went to Houston, my roommate thought she had to stay with me even though I told her I would be okay. We have such different interests I felt like I was holding her back. I'm not good at standing around while someone else is looking. I'm that way at anything I go to with a group. You might suggest that you all go your separate way for awhile then agree to meet up at a certain time maybe for a specific part of the show. Anxious to see how it turns out for you.

For the first time i will be going to the paducah quilt show at the end of April, so looking forward to it, but will i go back year after year, probably not

In the past year, I have attended a Quilt show in Puyallup Washington that was wonderful!! Today I just got back from Sewing Expo also in Puyallup, it has always been a big show but because I don't sew clothes anymore I didn't find it as interesting but it was packed on Friday.

I live in western Arkansas and there are no quilt shows around here either, but I do love to travel to them when I can. Do you go to the show in Muskogee in April? Its a good show for a smaller city. I drive 2 1/2 hours to it every year.

never been to that one, but it is the same weekend as the Stillwater show this year! I will do Stillwater for sure!

I've only ever traveled for two quilt shows since I haven't been doing it that long, and I do look forward to seeing the quilts some just boggle my mind and I love to look at it, but wouldn't want to attempt lol

I take photos of the quilts I really like and hope to do at some point and they go into my inspiration binder. I cut out the patterns from quilt magazines of projects and fabric ads. I also like going around to the different vendors & checking out the different fabrics. I make a note of which ones to go back to after I check out all the other's prices.

I would ask the auntie and sister to come to you, why should you have to do all the driving, ask them to take an extra day or two and come visit you or come pick you up and take you to the show?

I go to the local shows, I don't travel more than 50 or 60 miles. With the price of gas going up all the time, I might not be able to do that. I usually come away from the shows inspired and ready to create. Then I get frustrated because life gets in the way and I don't have as much time as I would like to quillt. I would love to go to the International Quilt Market in Houston some day before I am too old. lol.

There are many small, local, shows here in Oregon, many with no vendors and many with no fees. Lots of inspiration. I video taped 3 last month that will be shown on local public TV stations in the next few months. Lots of fun

I've never been to one. I'd probably (actually, I'm SURE I would be) be impressed, but then, I'd get buyer's lust and then just discouraged because I neither have the personality nor drive to do something as wonderful as they show at the "show".

But I do admire the quilts I see at local fairs--years and years ago we were at the AK state fair and I loved looking at the quilts there--that was before I did much quilting at all.

Hm, good question.

I enjoy seeing the fabulous creations that other people do. I am always amazed. But truly, I don't get my inspiration from quilt shows. My iinspiration comes when one of our two adult daughters says "Mom, would you make me a new snuggle quilt, please?"

When I walk into their homes and I see the quilts laying around, I know they are being used and for me, that is what this is about and why I do it. And if one of their cats happened to be snuggled up in the quilt, why, that just makes it home.

I don't tend to buy much from the local annual show. Many of the vendors are from 'away' and I always try to support my lqs and a couple of shops that aren't so local but have terrific sales corners.

Go, have a good time by giving yourself permission to make this about the people you love and not about the consumer end of it.

best.
d

Yes, I love to go to shows. Yes, it can inspire me to recreate a quilt I have seen. Most of all it give me a chance to see the wonderful fabrics that my LQS has in action. I might love a fabric but not know what else I would use with it and see it in a quilt and there I go, off to use it on a new project. I also just love the art of it all. We have all gone to art exhibits where we did not buy anything. My DH even plans quilt shops and shows whenever possible into our 2 week holiday trip each year. Sometimes he will let me know about them, others he just stops in front of one and tells me he thought I would like to spend some time playing (and not to drool to much) Not all of my sewing projects have been keepers, but he sure is.

I've been going to the Hampton quilt show for the past 3 years and while I can't say that it has inspired me to come home and make a quilt I do enjoy it. I go several days; depending on what gets in my way. I love seeing what all have inspired others to make and take pictures of some of the quilts; especially the ones that my 5yr old grandsone really likes. I love seeing all of the gadgets. This year I was on the hunt for the silk ribbon because my applique teacher is teaching us how to make 3d flowers. I looked at some of the gadgets but most I could get locally at the same price so why bother. I did splurge and get stablizer and embroidery thread from a local vendor because it was really reduce during the show. I'm on a really thight budget now so spending a lot wasn't going to happen but you pay once and can go as many times as you want so yes, I went and had a blast. I wish I could have went every day. We also had our local shop hop going on at the same time so I did that the first day. This year each store gave out a free 1/2 yard of fabric.