|
My friend and I went to two local Guild Quilt Shows yesterday. They both had Boutique areas with items made and donated by guild members, recycled items tables as well as local vendors. On the way home we were pondering how much work is involved and what do visitors to the show really look for and buy in the boutique and/or sale areas offered. Anyway, on to my question . . .
Do you or are you likely to buy 1. handmade quilted or sewn items that you can already make yourself? 2. other handcrafted items - knitted, crocheted, woven, etc, or jewelry, that you can't make yourself? 3. recycled magazines, books or patterns? 4. recycled fabric pieces or fabric scraps in a chance to fill a plastic bag ($1 to $5 depending on size)? 5. recycled quilting or sewing tools (rulers, scissors, etc.) or notions (trims, yarns, etc.)? 6. raffle tickets on a large quilt, multi item baskets, silent auction items or other scheduled door prizes? 7. new fabric, patterns, books, thread, notions, etc. related to sewing and quilting from the vendors (local quilt shops, etc.)? I have numbered these making it a little easier to respond if you are typing challenged but longer answers can make for a good discussion I think. |
At the quilt show organized by the guild I belong to, you can get pretty much anything. Since so many people atend the show, we find that:
Quilters and guilt members spend the most at the vendors area. we bring quilt shop owners from areas outside of the guild's reach, where our members wish to go but many can not, because of distance. We also have local shops set up their booths. Many non-quilters like to buy premade items. Many buy quilts that are on the show, but many of our visitors are from out of town and don't want to wait for the show to end to collect their quilts or pay for shipping to have them sent. Having quilted items for sale is an excelent revenue for the guild. We sold over $4000 two weeks ago only on the gift store section. This is also the area where the quilts can be touched. Is very popular in our show. Many visitors also like to buy used books and magazines. We include non-sewing items all together on a separate table. Some people get inspire to start quilting by visiting the show, and if there is a "garage sale" kind of sales, where they can get second hand tools to get started right away, is excellent. I keep someone by the table for support and orientation. It takes a lot of hard work to sort everything out and getting it displayed in an attractive manner, but is worth it. Maria |
1) I buy handmade items because I can't make them...cell phone holder and even if I can make them, it's ready to go, I don't have to take the time!
6) I buy raffle tickets because the show is usually a fund raiser. I'll buy more if I really like the item, otherwise, just 1 7) There were several vendors at our recent show that I have not been to because they are a couple hours away. So I like to see there offering. I bought a new book because I had not seen it at any of my LQS Good questions! |
Originally Posted by fabric=fun
Do you or are you likely to buy
1. handmade quilted or sewn items that you can already make yourself? I do like to buy purses this way especially if I like the fabric. 2. other handcrafted items - knitted, crocheted, woven, etc, or jewelry, that you can't make yourself? Sometimes it is cheaper to buy ready made, then to gather the supplies to make yourself, so yes to that one! 3. recycled magazines, books or patterns? My favorite! 4. recycled fabric pieces or fabric scraps in a chance to fill a plastic bag ($1 to $5 depending on size)? Too much work to look through the mess, but I'd grab a piece if it caught my eye. 5. recycled quilting or sewing tools (rulers, scissors, etc.) or notions (trims, yarns, etc.)? Sure! If usable and a good savings, why not! 6. raffle tickets on a large quilt, multi item baskets, silent auction items or other scheduled door prizes? I always buy to support those who run the quilt shows. It is time consuming and expensive, so if I can donate and win something, I"m all for it. 7. new fabric, patterns, books, thread, notions, etc. related to sewing and quilting from the vendors (local quilt shops, etc.)? Yesterday, I found a panel that was not available anywhere on the internet from a distant vendor. That alone was worth the trip to the quilt show. I also saw a gorgeous oriental fabric that online shops couldn't do justice to, so seeing it live was much better. I often see fabrics that I don't see at the local quilt shop, so I do lots of shopping at the vendor tables. I have numbered these making it a little easier to respond if you are typing challenged but longer answers can make for a good discussion I think. Diane |
dmackey - yes, I was!
We went to the Tewksbury Quilt Show and the Burlington Guild Show at the Campus Center at Middlesex Community College. Were you there too? |
Hi Fabric=fun,
Yes I was! I got to Burlington too late to do much but quickly look at all the quilts and the boutique, but spent more time in Tewksbury going though the mags and books at their 'yard sale' table. I found the panel I had been searching for with a vendor who only has a web presence. We should start a topic of quilt shows in areas and do a meet and greet when possible. I have "A Quilter's Gathering" as my next show to attend in Nashua, NH, probably on November 7th. They have a ton of offerings with three function rooms of vendors! Their list of teachers is spectacular. http://www.aquiltersgathering.com/ Diane |
I don't attend many shows, as they are usually held on Saturdays and my wedding cake business is usually busy on Saturdays. But when I do go, here's what I do:
1. Buy raffle tickets (1-5, depending on whether or not I like the piece) 2. At least look through and perhaps purchase used books/magazines if they are available and there is something I may want to try. 3. Look through and perhaps purchase used/recycled tools if it's something I don't already have, is a good price, and is in good condition. 4. New fabric from vendors, especially since that's my real weakness and if the vendor is from out of town or has a great price. I generally don't bother with other handcrafted items or quilted items as I can make them myself, although I may take a look for ideas for someone else. And I'm generally not into buying recycled fabric pieces/scraps. But many of the shows in this area don't usually have a particularly large vendor area, so it's tough to say. As I've not been to any of the biggies (Houston, Paducah, etc.), I don't have anything to compare my little town's shows to. Interesting question. |
I have bought all of these items you listed off the guild's raffle table. I buy lots of those tickets. LOL! It is seperate from the guild's store. The show here in reno is now held in Harrah's automoble museum, so the guild has thier own little store within the building. It is called the country store and it is set up just like one. There are also used sewing machines, quilted art clothing and accessories, handmade stuffed animals and dolls, and printed materials for the local girls who machine quilt. Books and pamplets. Some tools and templets. Tons of fabric!
I always support them in the store. Thier is always something that they have I need. LOL! |
1. handmade quilted or sewn items that you can already make yourself?
No 2. other handcrafted items - knitted, crocheted, woven, etc, or jewelry, that you can't make yourself? No, because I can do what I'm interested in 3. recycled magazines, books or patterns? YEs, yes, I absolutely love these! 4. recycled fabric pieces or fabric scraps in a chance to fill a plastic bag ($1 to $5 depending on size)? Yes, I love the scrap bags, as I love to make scrap quilts. 5. recycled quilting or sewing tools (rulers, scissors, etc.) or notions (trims, yarns, etc.)? Yes, Yes. 6. raffle tickets on a large quilt, multi item baskets, silent auction items or other scheduled door prizes? Yes 7. new fabric, patterns, books, thread, notions, etc. related to sewing and quilting from the vendors (local quilt shops, etc.)? I am very coservative in buying these, mainly as a senior, I have a limited budget, and I have so many of these items anyway. |
[quote=fabric=fun]My friend and I went to two local Guild Quilt Shows yesterday. They both had Boutique areas with items made and donated by guild members, recycled items tables as well as local vendors. On the way home we were pondering how much work is involved and what do visitors to the show really look for and buy in the boutique and/or sale areas offered. Anyway, on to my question . . .
Do you or are you likely to buy 1. handmade quilted or sewn items that you can already make yourself? NO, MY HOUSE IS FILLED WITH DOODADS 2. other handcrafted items - knitted, crocheted, woven, etc, or jewelry, that you can't make yourself? NO, SEE ABOVE 3. recycled magazines, books or patterns? OH, YES!!! 4. recycled fabric pieces or fabric scraps in a chance to fill a plastic bag ($1 to $5 depending on size)? NEVER SAW THAT 5. recycled quilting or sewing tools (rulers, scissors, etc.) or notions (trims, yarns, etc.)?NEVER SAW THOSE 6. raffle tickets on a large quilt, multi item baskets, silent auction items or other scheduled door prizes? ALWAYS 7. new fabric, patterns, books, thread, notions, etc. related to sewing and quilting from the vendors (local quilt shops, etc.)? ALL OF THESE I have numbered these making it a little easier to respond if you are typing challenged but longer answers can make for a good discussion I think. I LIVE IN A LARGE METROPOLITAN AREA WHERE THERE ARE MANY MAJOR SHOWS IN A THREE STATE RADIUS, BUT ALL WITHIN TWO HOUR DRIVING DISTANCE. I KNOW THAT WHATEVER I MISS THIS TIME, I WIL GET NEXT TIME. |
| All times are GMT -8. The time now is 02:41 PM. |