My sister and I went to the quilt show in 2015. It was nice. Three days is good amount of time to see all. I preferred the sisters quilt show in sisters oregon. Make sure you take good walking shoes!!!!!

I was able to come for one day. Love it! But please tell me where to park. I parked close by and they charged $30 for the day. Is that normal?

I've been a couple of years; but was in like 02 and 03; found the best 'deals' seemed to be on Sunday because the vendors don't want to have to pack up and haul all their merchandise back home. So if you have the time, I'd stay for Sunday too. Have fun.

That's normal for the lots new the Convention Center. You can also valet park at the hotels near by. I'm not sure how much that costs. I'm hoping this year they bring back the valet parking in front of the Convention Center. It will probably depend on whether or not the construction is finished up down there yet.

Edit: I should add that you can sometimes find cheaper parking south of the Convention Center but it can be a hike especially at the end of the day. I prefer to pay the $30 and be right across the street not having to hike off anywhere by myself.

The longer the better if this is your first time. It is very easy to get caught up with all the vendors. Be sure to allow yourself time to sit in on demonstrations/lectures that are less than an hour each. It gives you a chance to sit down to rest briefly also. The quilt show itself is awesome and there are lots of quilts to see. Plan to allow yourself time to explore the whole show.

Good shoes, big shopping bag (no wheels allowed), Sunday a lot of vendors reduce their prices rather than pack up.. Ask, I even ask on ,Thursday for the demos and pick up on ,Sunday I got my Bernina there at half price. I go on line and look at the list of vendors and mark down who I want to really see and their booth numbers. I go every year but have n her done the classes..I go with a bus group. Have fun....be prepared to drool over the quilts
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Good shoes, big shopping bag (no wheels allowed), Sunday a lot of vendors reduce their prices rather than pack up.. Ask, I even ask on ,Thursday for the demos and pick up on ,Sunday I got my Bernina there at half price. I go on line and look at the list of vendors and mark down who I want to really see and their booth numbers. I go every year but have never done the classes..I go with a bus group. Have fun....be prepared to drool over the quilts
.

Thank you all for your advice. I plan on flying in and staying close to show. I don't think I'll take any classes but may sit in on demos. Starting my walking routine now so I don't have problems at the show.

I love Quilt Festival and live close enough that I go every year. My daughter and son-in-law live in Houston so I am able to stay with them. I recommend you go and stay as long as you can. I am never ready for it to end, although sometimes I wear out and have to rest. Do spend some time on quilts.com and learn what you can about the show from there. Look for Meet the Teachers which is a place in the quilt display area where various teachers give presentations for free. They are usually selling something but it can give you a chance to see a little about a product or technique with no obligation. Craftsy usually has a booth with free demos on a variety of topics to consider too. Many of the vendors are demonstrating their products.

The exhibits and the judged show are wonderful and I can spend a long time on that side of the convention center. Vendors and their booths are separated from those displays.

One of my favorite things is to go on Wed which is preview night. They normally have the biggest prize winning quilts on display at the front end of the rows toward the south of the building. Many of the winning quilt artists are there with their quilts, excited to have been awarded such an honor, and are glad to answer questions and talk about their quilts. I enjoy their enthusiasm and a peek into their techniques, materials, and thought processes. If you get a chance, go that night try it.

Let us know what you think when you get home. I am excited for you!

I went last year and stayed with a quilting friend who lives north of the city. We went on Preview night and then two additional days with a couple of her quilting buddies. I don't think we even got to all the booths and certainly didn't see every quilt displayed. We would go our separate ways and then compare notes sometimes circling back to discuss. Loved the demos including one that Lynette Anderson did for us. She said it was much bigger than the previous years so put your walking shoes on. We had backpacks and bottled water so when we needed a rest we went out to the seating and plotted our next attack. Have a great time.