Houston international quilt festival
 

Looking to go to Houston Quilt Festival in 2017. For those who have been, how many days should I spend at the show. I was thinking of going 3 days Thursday, Friday and part of Saturday.

I went last year and we were there for those 3 days. It was great. Saturday was getting crowded and we left early on that day. But then we had been there for all that time and it was time to go. It would have been interesting to have a pedometer and see just how far we walked. I was with a bus group. My roommate and I went our separate ways and met for lunch.

Are you taking any classes? Unfortunately when we went we were on an organized/disorganized bus tour and only managed a few hours in and around our other tours...In hindsight... I would go alone and spend as many days as I could afford coming and going to all the displays....merchant malls...quilt shows etc.

I live in Houston and go to festival every year. I'd suggest allowing at least 3 days for visiting the displays and shopping. Sunday is my favorite day for both because most of the fly in people leave on Sunday and it's much less crowded.

Since you're flying in, you might want to book a hotel downtown. You won't need a rental car if you do and, believe me, if you aren't used to Houston traffic and Houston drivers you really don't want to drive here.

You'll have a great time. Houston Quilt Festival is like Disneyland for quilters :)

Also, if you stay in a downtown hotel, they have buses from the hotels that run to the convention center where the quilt festival is. It is wonderful. If you interested in classes you can order a catalog (just check online next year around July I think) and sign up for classes, too. I have done that for several years and have learned so much from quilting teachers I never dreamed of being able to take classes from.

Cashs_mom, you are so right about Houston traffic. Even after visiting my son for the last 20 years, I sometimes get so frustrated. I'm getting ready to move there in the next year or so. As far as the quilt festival, Amber1957, make sure you have comfortable shoes! Take your time and enjoy.

Houston traffic is horrendous! I've lived her 30+ years and know what to expect so it's not quite as bad, but drivers here are very aggressive and a lot of them are terrible. :D You have drive very defensively and be ready for lots of delays. If you are coming from somewhere else, staying downtown is the way to go. There are shuttles to and from the airport and from the hotel to the convention center. Depending on which one you stay in, you can even walk.

And deb is right. Bring comfortable walking shoes and I'll add bring your camera and enjoy.

Edit: I should also add that you can get a catalog and get a lot of info by going to Quilts, Inc's website and clicking on Houston Festival. Quilts, Inc. is the company that puts on the Quilt Festival here and in a few other places.

When I was able to go I flew in on a Sunday and left the next Saturday or Sunday. I took as many classes as I could take but did leave at least one full day to shop in the vendor mall and another day to view the quilts. That is an amazing show!

Many years ago I went for the Quilt store that I worked at and was a buyer for the store. So much fun.

if you just want to look at the quilts and tour the vendors ... but not planning to shop 'til you drop, two days are plenty. that's time to see all the quilts, zip through the "shops", then go back to buy those things you absolutely have to have but can't get elsewhere for less. (not all the vendors discount their wares during the show.)

if you know you'll need to stop frequently to rest your feet and/or back you might consider three days.

if you will be looking for a new machine, plan your visit so you'll be there on the last day.
most of the machine vendors will offer deep discounts on their display and classroom machines if you agree to pick them up on the last day. it saves them the trouble of packing them up and getting them back to wherever they came from.

if you also want to visit area shops that won't be at the show, pad your itinerary accordingly.
you are likely to find good sales at those shops because they hope to attract tourist-quilters.

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
.

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.