Houston International Quilt Festival
 

How many people got to go? I did and I had a wonderful time. But I am exhausted. Can't wait to go back again .... :-)

I went Friday and Saturday. Saw wonderful eye candy and bought lots of goodies.

Anyone take photos to share?

I went 3 years ago - it was heavenly.....I really want to do that again - maybe next year!

I took a lot of photos of art quilts but I didn't get the names of all the artists. Quilts Festival rules says you can't post pix without artist's names so I don't want to cause any problems for Patrice. She's got enough on her plate now.

All the quilts were amazing. I used a scooter this year because of knee problems and it was the best money I ever spent because for the first time I was able to see every single one of the quilts exhibited.

Got to wait until tomorrow to post pictures of the goodies I bought. No way I'm letting DH see the obscene amount of loot I brought home!

How does it compare to the AQS show in Paducah? I go to that one, but might think about flying to the market next year.

I went Friday and Saturday and had a blast. Spent way to much :)

I went on Thursday with my guild...as a group with another guild on a bus (we're only 2 hours away). It was my first trip and I was pretty overwhelmed by the vendor area. But it didn't stop me from buying a bunch of stuff! Had a wonderful but tiring day. Even got to see Eleanor Burns, Alexander Anderson, and Jodi Barrows.

The quilts were beautiful. As our guild president said...she thought she could have been quite competitive with some of the quilts....the ones in the 4H Group! I looked at some of those quilts and couldn't believe what I was seeing. Some of them apparently will be on display at the Texas Quilt Museum after it opens this month. It's in LaGrange in a historic building downtown.

Anita

I went Thursday and I was able to go the week before to Market with my sister on Saturday. Market was nice just to see the booths the shops see and I kind of got an idea of the layout so I was prepared for the crowds at festival. I am in a wheelchair full time so it is a little harder to maneuver in the crowds and I was glad to know what the layout was. I am hooked now for sure. Being a new quilter and living here I will be a regular from now on.

The quilts will leave you in awe. Paducah is great, but it can't compete with Houston.

Two friends and I went together - we live just a bit more than an hour out so drove in for the day. We had been down 2 aisles when we realized it had taken us two hours to do that! Decided we'd better move a bit faster if we wanted to see more than just a little bit. We are all fairly new quilters so fabric bundles were our biggest purchases. 5 coordinated yards for $29.99 seem like a good deal. Patterns are included. Also got Hobbs batting at better prices than I've seen anywhere else. Oohed and ahhed at all the beautiful quilts. Drooled over the sewing machines. Picked up some patterns. Inspired, delighted, exhausted... it was a great day!

Wow it sounds like a wonderful time had by all, it sounds like it was bigger than my Vermont Festival lol
Hopefully I can attend wherever it's going to be next year, my problem is I walk with a cane and have back issues so it's hard for me to be on my feet for long periods of time. Maybe the scooter rental might work for me but then you've got to navigate between people.

I went Thursday and Friday. Loved it. I didn't take any photos but met lots of quilty people. Amazing quilts and loved the vendor section. :thumbup:

I was only able to go on Friday for a few hours. Long enough to get a new machine. :) I ended up with my son's cold by the end of Friday night and didn't return.

I only live about 40 minutes away but it is still a hassle to get there park, etc. Next year, I'm going all out. I'm going to arrange my husband's work schedule, so I have no baby sitting issues. I'm getting a hotel room. Flying my mother-in-law in to go with me. I'm going to take a class and spend two days shopping.

It is always a beautiful experience. The show quilts are gorgeous. It is a true perk to living in the area. I do think all quilters need to try to go once.

Houston Festival
 

There is not any comparison. You do understand it is the largest one in the world. There are over 1000 quilts and about 700 or so booths. You can go every day and do good to see it all. My first trip I was just stunned. Now I just run thru it as fast as I can. I have learned what are places that I want to stop at and just go by. I was there 4 days and did not go to any classes and feel like I have been run over by a MAC truck. Paducah is great as the town is so lovely and I really enjoyed it, but there is no comparison to Houston. You owe it to go at least once. I volunteered in interviewing Texas quilters for a new book that has been published about saving out heritage of quilting. We interviewed dozens of Texas quilters along with their quilt that was picked to be in the book and it was so very interesting being a part of this process. The quilts are so unbelievable. It is almost hard to believe that someone actually made them. How does it compare to the AQS show in Paducah? I go to that one, but might think about flying to the market next year.[/QUOTE]

Just a quick note: If anyone is planning to go next year, you need to make reservations NOW. Most of the regulard and out of country and out of towners, make their returns before they leave town. There are 55 to 66,000 people what come so rooms are at a premium and the cost show that.

I went Sat & Sun ... walked my feet off, SO tired but SO happy ... thoroughly enjoyed it. I'm fortunate to be only 25 mi away, so its an annual event for us !

Went Saturday with my hubby and baby boy. WE had a blast!!! Even the baby had fun...he waved and told all the ladies
"HI!!!!!"

[/QUOTE]

Actually there were 900+ vendors !! TOO MUCH to see !!
Yes, Every quilter does need to come at least ONCE in their lifetime ... It is truly Quilters Mecca !! I'm so lucky to have it in our "backyard" - only 25 mi to downtown for me from W Houston

Wow, it sounds like everyone had a wonderful time. I know I did. It is truly an overwhelming event but well worth the time spent there. It took us two full days to go through the whole thing however we didn't get to see everything thing....but there is always next year. We stayed downtown and took the shuttle back and forth...that worked really well.

This was the first year I took my DH with me to expose his mind to the quilter's world of creativity. HE LOVED IT and asked if we could be sure to go back for a longer period of time next year!! We only go to go on Sunday this year. The convention center is gi-normous and the show had 2 floors. Most classes were on the 2nd floor, 1/2 of the first floor was the quilt gallery (OH MY GOSH!!) and the other half was vendor's booths. We toured the gallery first (absolutely AWESOME!!) but DH said feet gave out before we got thru 1/2 the vendors - mine didn't. I had prepared a list of vendors and booth numbers for what I wanted to see, try, touch and learn about, so was able to tour quickly. DH sat in a chair (or so I thought) while I toured and bought patterns and fabrics. Imagine my surprise when I returned home from work last night to find a HUGE JANOME HORIZON 1200 box in my sewing room and my little old machine gone! He negotiated with the folks at the Janome booth and traded in my little machine, got a show special price on the Horizon and sweet talked them into throwing in some extra goodies! AM I EXCITED?? JUST A LITTLE!!!! Am I going back next year - you betcha sweet bippy I am!

I stayed with a friend at the Hilton and loved the direct connection to the George R Brown Convention Center. Took a couple of classes and really enjoyed them. I went to the vendor area several times and walked for hours. So much to see and lots of nice vendors. Met attendees from all over the world. Exhausting but so fun!