What should I be looking at other than all the quilts? Are there booths to buy material or gadgets? I am really excited. Thanks for your help in advance.

wear comfortable shoes, take cash, credit cards in a small purse and be sure to take a nice bag to put your things in you buy, camera, snacks, bottle of water

you get so thirsty at the quilt show, so I carry a bottle of water with me inside my bag

pick up the business cards, and if there is something you are looking at and can't decide whether to buy it make it down on a notebook with the booth # so you can go back later if you decide to buy it



Have fun!

Most quilt shows have vendors where you can buy fabric and all quilting supplies. I remember my first trip to a show in 2006...was like my first trip to the candy store as a kid; I was so excited and overwhelmed that I forgot to go see the Antique quilts on display lol. Bring a great bag to put your purchases in that will hang from your shoulder and enjoy, enjoy, enjoy.

Most quilt shows (at least in my area) have some vendors, from fabric to long arm machines. You are going to love it and you will go home with so many ideas that you want to try! Take your camera with you!! Just make sure they allow photos taken.
ENJOY!!!!

Be sure and ask the vendor before taking a picture. 99% will say no. Some vendors won't let you have pen or paper in their booth, thinking you are jotting down pattern info. At Paducah last year one vendor told a woman she was looking at the booth quilt too long. She said she didn't want her memorizing the pattern. Some vendors seem out for money only but most are extremely friendly and helpful. Only shop at the friendly vendor booths. LOL. I always go to each vendor booth and write down what interested me and the booth no. then I made a second trip to the booth to buy. I found I didn't want the item the second time I looked at it. Quilt shows are so much fun and I learn a lot just from looking and I get very motivated. Be sure and have a water bottle with you and headache medicine.

Printed address labels will be a big time saver. Many booths have a prize drawing. I print out address labels with my info including my email address to take to quilt shows.

We usually spend much much more time in the Vendor booths than looking at quilts. We do look at them, just love to shop the "mall"
You can usually take picture of the quilts that are in the "show" I love to go back and look at all the pictures later.
Most vendors don't allow pictures of the quilts in their booths.

The quilt shows lately have been pretty poopy around here. While i have enjoyed seeing the quilts that are displayed, the vendors only offer fat quarters and pre-packaged patterns. I saw very few notions - ie, i was looking for hand quilting thread - no one had any. :thumbdown: Many items were geared towards long arm quilters and not much for the hand quilters.

The very first quilt show i went to about 10 yrs ago was absolutely the best - that's where i got my quilt frame and they had a lot of books - hard bound books, too, stencils for quilting, vintage reproductions fabrics, notions galore...

It's even changed over the years..

I think a back pack might be better. I brought a tote with me last time and my shoulder was sooo sore. The back pack might even out the weight a bit.

Back pack, good idea!! I'm going to the Road to CA on Saturday!
My hubby went to pick up tickets for my girl friend and me!
I'm so excited that I can hardly wait for Saturday!
Charge the camera!!!
Address labels

comfortable shoes--a back pack-+-a bum bag worn in front with money+cards so easy acsess to you but no one else!!! pics a a great thing so you can take your candy home!! water its thirsty work drooling!! enjoy+++++

I check out their boutique first. They sell magazines, quilt books, accessories, some small and large quilted items. Then I hit the vendors and then finally check out the quilts. Bring snacks, large tote and water, cash, credit cards and enjoy yourself.

Extra batteries for camera - if that type - I really messed up one year!

Dress in layers - some shows cold - some hot.

I take a little list of supplies - for new or already started quilts.

Relax! Enjoy!

Be on the lookout for things you NEED because you will see a million things you WANT. keep your checkbook in mind at all times. It can get away from you. Look at everything! My favorite things were the classes I got to take. I never knew I would enjoy it so much. Best of all ~ have fun rubbing elbows with all the people who love quilting as much as you do. =) Take pictures!

Along with all the other wonderful suggestions so far. - when you pick up business cards write on the back of the card what they sell,who you talked to, if you talked to anyone in that booth, and write down the item you were/may be interested in.
I hate it when I get home with a handful of business cards and can't remember what I really liked about that vendor.

Relax, have fun! I hope you have a safe trip.

You will have a great time at the Tucson Quilt Fiesta! I have gone for the past 5 years and every year it gets better. Plenty of quilts to view and lots of vendors with tons of stuff to buy or just get ideas from.

I take a huge tote bag (I don't care for backpacks altho they are great for those who like them) and a very small purse/wallet that I can sling cross-wise over my shoulder to the opposite hip (taking in my regular purse is a pain). The little purse is big enough for cash and my driver's license. I like to use cash as it's easier than managing credit card slips and such and also gives me a hard spending limit which makes me really think about what I want to buy.

I'll be there on Saturday and can hardly wait! ENJOY!!!

Thank you for all the advice...now to go charge my camera.

When you look at the quilts at a quilt show, don't just give your time to the quilts you love. Take time to study the quilts you don't like. Figure out why you don't like them. Maybe even take pictures of them too. It is a way to learn without wasting your time/money on something you won't like when it is done. A quilt show is an educational experience.

You are gonna have fun.

Hi Tucsonquilter. You'll have a great time at the Tucson Quilt Fiesta. There are lots of vendors, and the local quilt shops are there too. There is a beautiful raffel quilt this year. We have a historical bed turning. (My husbands grandmothers quilt is in it this year). There are over 300 quilts on display. Why not stop by the get aquainted table and become a member. I have been quilting for 15 yrs. and never joined the quild. This is my first year of membership and I am having so much fun.

Can't suggest what to bring, but I can suggest what not to bring...your husband! Especially when his back is out and all he can do is sit and wait for you to finish looking!

If you have some return address labels take them too. They're great when filling out forms for drawings.

There will be plenty of opportunity to spend. Remember to breing your camera.

I've never had the opportunity to visit a show. All I can say from the other responses is that you are in store for a great time. Enjoy!

sounds like fun

what show are you visiting. large shows are different from small shows.

Ooooo- you lucky thing. I'm going to my first one in March. Have fun fun fun.

Some of the Quilt shows will not allow backpacks in. Ours doesn't. Enjoy the show and soak it all in.

Ditto on all the advise. Have a great time, it will be a wonderful adventure. My DH comes with me and takes pictures of the quilts on display while I shop and oogle. then when we get home I get to look at the pictures in case I missed seeing something :-)

Wonderful tips from all! Enjoy meeting other quilters and visiting over lunch. Have met some of the neatness people this way.
:-P

You'll love it! Enjoy!!

I also hope to make it to the Tucson show. The current plan is to go down and watch my trainer compete at the dressage show in the morning and hit the quilting show in the afternoon. Should be a fun day :-)

Wear comfortable shoes
take money
wear comfortable shoes
take your camera (most shows will allow photos for your own use)
enjoy the day.

Have fun & I hope you take lots of pictures to show us afterwards.

Hope you had fun!~

Enjoy, They are so much fun, wish I could come with you!

I have not been to one either. i think the Phoenix show is in March. I only joined my guild two months ago and it is all new to me. I think we can go from here on a bus round trip for $29.00. It is 200 miles rd trip. Then you don't have to park or drive. This will be my first.

Tucsonquilter, have a great time and take pictures and let us know how it was please.

There is a show in Phoenix the following weekend, Jan. 27th-30th. The first day is usually a total madhouse, so I am going to avoid that this year.

The main thing is wear comfortable clothing and shoes...alot of walking. Maybe you and Boscobd could meet up and have a good time together try pm her and see. Pluse it would be a way of meeting someone here on the board. My friend makes a list of what she needs and takes a large bag. Everything that ev has mentioned on here are good ideas. Enjoy and have fun take X-tra batteries along for your camera.

wear a sling bag over your shoulder that hangs in front and snaps or zips closed,
or a big tote that closes, but put your credit card and money in your pants pocket. it's safer and easier to get to. be sure to return it right away.

wear comfortable shoes.

if you wear a backpack you have to keep taking it off whenever you need something. if there's a coat check, use it. it's worth the extra $. wear layers. it starts out cold, but all those hot women heat up the place in no time.

do a sweep of the place and then go back to what interested you.

the food usually is terrible and way overpriced. bring a sandwich and water. or just buy bad coffee or a soft drink.

use the bathroom early in the day and notice where the out-of-the-way ones are. you'll be happier.

last but not least, have the best time ever!