I love to see the work of people who have much more ambition, dedication and skill than I do. They push me to at least try to progress. I look at great quilts all the time on this board and elsewhere on the internet, but it's a rare treat to go to a show and see them in person. I always come away wanting to try something that I haven't done before.

Well, I'm a heretic. I go to quilt shows just for the vendors. I love to see what gadgets are new, what inventions have been presented, what fabrics I've missed locally and to try out the longarms. I look at the quilts, of course, but only to find something I haven't seen before or to find that quilt that stops me cold. And I file it in my heart under Deep Appreciation. I have no desire to enter my quilts in a show and no desire to stress over my creations...just not interested. But I really admire the effort the quilters have put into their wonderful entries...again under Deep Appreciation.
I find quilts I want to make right here on the Board or on Pinterest.

I feel absolutely inspired after going to a show! Here's why: I take a look at those perfect quilts, a real CLOSE look, and I find mistakes-a cut off point, a seam that doesn't line up... they ALL have a mistake or two. Then I know that even if my own quilts have a mistake or two or a hundred ;), they can still look amazing and beautiful.

I've never been to a quilt show except the ones posted on here. I ooh and aah and get inspired. I just wish I could be inspired the same way when I see before and after pictures of people who have lost weight. haha

I enjoy going to quilt shows to see the quilts and check out vendor booths. While I will never make 'show quality' quilts I enjoy them at shows and museums and am quite content to come home and continue with my own special creations. It is also an opportunity to meet other like minded folks.

I've been to a couple of national quilt shows and a few local and have enjoyed all of them. I like to see the new tools and techniques and fabrics the vendors have and I usually take at least one class. The quilt display is like going to a fine art show: I don't aspire to this level myself, but I recognize and enjoy the color combinations, designs, and patterns of the quilts. I'm facinated that anyone could have such talent and skill. I agree with some of the others: we have quite a quilt show here every day and this is where I really learn and feel inspired.

I love going to quilt shows. It is so amazing how diverse quilters can be. I tend to like hand quilted better than machine quilted, but sometimes the art form is so powerful that it carries the machine quilting in a beautiful way. Oh, I do not have the natural talent of the award winners, or the experience in techniques they possess, but I enjoy being able to see first hand the creations of another quilter. They are an inspiration, not an intimidation.

I love shopping at quilt shows. I had to stop going to quilt shows with my guild. Some of the members made shopping a negative experience because all they did was complain about the high prices.

I love quilt shows! I walk away with dozens of quilts on my bucket list! I study how other people quilt their quilts...I like to get inspiration from other quilters! We all can't make blue ribbon quilts, but is that really why most of us quilt? I think we quilt to make us happy..at whatever skill level we are at...99% of the quilts out there will never see a show or a ribbon, but they are winners to us...try to look at it that way...don't be so hard on yourself...even the most basic quilt can be a well loved quilt. All we can do is plug along, try to improve..but be happy with your accomplishments..even the winners at quilt shows started with simple, basic quilts...but I'd bet that they love them! I love my first quilt..and I made every single mistake in the book!
I came from a sewing clothing background and just could not grasp the idea that a 1/4" seam would hold anything..so I made it with 5/8" seams! I also thought "all white is white"..so my blocks have many shades of white backgrounds!
The backing has ripples galore...but I just love it...I have improved greatly over the years from going to quilt shows and looking and learning, and from on line forums and tutorials...but do not be intimidated by the quilts at shows...it's like everything else in life...that's how we get inspired and learn! Look at the shows through different glasses!