How to Survive a Quilt Expo
 

My first expo ever is tomorrow in Hunt Valley, MD. It's Thursday thru Sat.) I'm so excited, but also feel I could be easily overwhelmed. I am going with a friend and her 3 month old grandbaby.

What tips do you have for this newbie?

Bring a camera. I always seem to forget mine, then wish I had one! Just don't take a picture of every quilt or you'll spend the day looking through a viewfinder; take photos of just the very special quilts that appeal to you.

Wear your most comfortable shoes! My feet always start complaining before I am done.

Slip a thin notebook and pen into your handbag so you can jot down notes about vendors. It's easy to overspend on vendor items while you're at a show. Sometimes it's better to jot down the vendor's name and the item you're interested in (especially if it is a specialty ruler or other specialty sewing item), then get online at home to read reviews before purchasing. I have a few specialty items purchased at shows that have never seen the outside of a drawer at home.

Set aside some money for drinks and snacks; helps me last longer at shows.

Oh, and *make sure* that strollers are allowed at the show before you go! They are usually fine at smaller shows, but large shows sometimes ban them.

You should check first. Some quilt shows will not allow wheeled items including bags and strollers. It's going to be a long day with a 3 month old.

Or a very short one ...

Can not EVEN imagine. :shock:

I do hope you get as much out of it as you are hoping, though.:)
Jan in VA

I hope that you have a wonderful time at this show, but I agree with the others in that I would not advise going with a child that young. I'm afraid that the baby will not be happy, the other visitors will not be happy, and ultimately you and the baby's grandmother will not be happy. The aisles can be very, very crowded at times, people frequently back up to see the quilts better or to take pictures, and as a result people are always bumping into each other, and there's a very real possibility that someone could fall over the stroller, not expecting it to be there. There aren't usually a lot of places for you and the grandmother to sit down and take care of the baby, the bathrooms can have long lines at times...

I did find online that strollers "filled with children" are allowed at this particular show, but the FAQ adds "Please be courteous to others if you have a stroller!" That probably means not going down the more crowded aisles at all. You might call the show to ask when they expect the crowds to be heaviest, and avoid those times.

Hire a sitter for the baby.

I have no experience with your expo, buy I have been to the Road to California, and there is no room for a stroller. I go on Thursday and Friday, because the weekend there isn't even elbow room, let alone a place to sit down.
Maybe, if they have an area for eating you could take turns tending to the baby.

One rule I do go by when I go to shows - never buy anything the first time through. Bags tend to gain weight as you carry them along and possible to set it down and forget it. So I make notes and go back - if I can't remember the item then I didn't need it after all.

I like using a back pack to put small purchases in because I still have my hands free. Usually will keep my charge card in a small pocket around my neck. Good Luck

The grandmother IS the sitter. I would prefer not to go with the baby, but I can't go Friday, and can't imagine dealing with the Saturday crowd.

Good idea.

The quilt expos I've been to stipulate no cameras, so you might check ahead on that before taking one in with you.

This is going to sound expensive. my mother in law and I go together and rent an electric scooter. we load it with as many bags as we can for carrying things and take turns driving while the other runs interference. if you do this I recommend baby wearing. the little one won't be in the way if he/she is strapped in.

My only other recommendation is to dress in lighter weight clothing that you would normally for the weather. A short sleeve t-shirt and sweater are probably about all you are going to need. Leave the heavy coat/sweatshirt in the car. And definitely comfy shoes! Maybe you and grandmom could share the cost of a different babysitter???? so you could both have a more fun-filled day.

Quilt shows aren't always more crowded on Saturdays, since a good portion of quilters are older and retired.

Well it sounds like the baby being left is not an option. Just be prepared for break times for bottles and diapers. This could work to your benefit. A nice break will help those tired feet. Make a list of things you plan to look for. I get overwhelmed with so much new and pretty stuff that I forget what I really needed. Have lots of fun.:o

Snacks in your purse (or baby bag)
Comfy shoes
Get there early - take frequent breaks - leave late

Maybe you and your friend can take turns going through the vendors area aisle by aisle. One can sit down with the baby while the other shops with great ease...not worrying about a stroller.

Above all else, have fun.

Nan

Our expo said no wheeled carts but strollers were ok. Saw one lady with a BIG stroller...but no baby....she used it to carry all her and her friends stuff. She was very rude about walking in front of people, pushing the stroller and blocking huge areas. 3 or 4 people could occupy the area she would park the stroller. She had no problem pushing the stroller down the isle, but wasn't watching where she was going, just gawking at everything. She ran into me several times, but I had enough when she hit a lady hard enough to knock her down. I went and found a security guard and informed him what happened. Now they check to make sure a baby is actually in the stroller. My husband and I do a trade show every year, rules state NO children under the age of 16 admitted on the trade show floor. Now I would not go that far for quilt shows, but I think if they cannot walk on their own, then they should be left home. I worked for many years for a pediatric office and I am used to crying and screaming kids, but I do not wish to listen to that at an event that I am there to enjoy. Sorry, just my own opinion and not meaning to anger any parent.

Bring address labels! That makes it so easy to register for all the give aways. I had labels printed with my name, phone number and email just for booth give aways.
The baby may sleep the whole time but then again may decide the noise and stimulation will be too much. The fact the grandmother is the sitter doesn't mean she can't hire a sitter. I baby sit my infant grandson during the day but I use a sitter for times it will be better for him to stay home when I want to go somewhere. I would want to spend the day at an Expo not just a couple of hours so maybe you can go back by yourself the next day.

Thursday and Friday will be crazy busy. Saturday will be the best day to view without so many people.
Start at one end and work down each and every row. I did that and still saw different things I missed the previous passes.
Take your camera and extra batteries so you can take pictures.
Take a water bottle.
Sorry, but a quilt show is no place for a baby. The booths aren't set up for strollers. Do yourself and your friend a favor, get a babysitter.

I recently went to quilt expo for the first time: here are my lessons learned:
1. WEAR COMFORTABLE SHOES - there is a lot of walking, walking, walking
2. Use a cross over purse instead of a handbag.
3. Bring a shopping bag/ fabric tote bag that you can carry your purchases
4. Ask for business cards from each vendor you visit or wish to visit.
5. Do not bring bottle water as some shows do not allow personal food....if you do then don't get caught! Lol
6. If you are looking for something specific, do some on line research on prices before you go as some prices are not as good as you might think.
7. Set a spending limit; otherwise expect to spend more than you really want.....don't ask me how I know:)
8. If looking for fabric for a specific pattern then remember to bring the pattern
9. Never touch the display quilts
10. Buy a program booklet if available....usually cheap money, and make notes about the vendors you visit
11. As others have said , bring a camera or have a charged up cell phone to take pics
and lastly
12. Have FUN!

good luck, tell us what you thought of your first experience!

If possible, have your friend put her baby in a carrier (back, front, sling...any should work) and leave the stroller in the car. Most shows give your a bracelet or stamp your hand, so you can go in and out. Take the baby out of the show if he gets too fussy, you won't be able to enjoy yourself worrying about him. The Expo folks will let you back in if you have your bracelet/stamp.

Snacks and drinks are a must. However, most shows do not allow any liquids (including water and baby bottles) or foods into the area where the quilts are hanging, so you will have to eat and drink outside the area where the quilts are. Food/drinks are usually expensive to buy at the show.

As someone else mentioned, cool clothing and comfortable walking shoes. Leave your pocketbook at home and keep credit/debit card, driver's license, cash, etc., in a pouch that fits around your neck (Walmart sells these "nametag" pockets in the stationery section for $3). If you can't find a neck pouch, use a fanny pack. Bring a couple of cloth bags (like the ones you put groceries in) to put your purchases in or use a backpack (some shows will not allow backpacks). Also, don't forget any medications you need and it is also a good idea to carry Tylenol, Advil, aspirin, (whichever you use), antacids and bandaids (not usually available at convention centers and very expensive in hotels). Make sure your camera has a fully charged battery (or an extra), you have plenty of room on the memory card (or an extra) and your cellphone is charged and ready. (Most of these are probably self-explanatory and probably didn't need to be mentioned as this is probably not your first show).

Have a wonderful time! Take the show slowly - you probably will have to if the baby doesn't sleep - see everything and enjoy, enjoy, enjoy!

Anita

Couldn't imagine taking a three month old to an event like this. Aside from trying to fight your way through the crowds it's not an environment I'd consider healthy for a little baby. As someone else said your friend is the sitter. You're there to enjoy yourself. I hope you have a lovely time.

Chip in for a sitter! I can only speak for the Expo in Cleveland, but it can be an overcrowded stampede. Even when strollers are allowed there are crowds trying to get into the booths and I've been slightly shoved and bumped by quilters trying to get a better view.
Always ask at the admissions booth if photo's are allowed - very often they aren't, and never in the vendor booths.
Know what you're planning to buy. If you have a project in mind and a colorway you won't spend as much.

Hope you have a great time.

I take with me two of my sisters. I would never take anyone younger. just say we are all on SS. We take a few classes, shop the first day, and mark all the booths we want to go bak to. Look at all ther quilts, and get what we might need for just ONE of them. the third day we BUY. By this time we have scoped out all the booths, found the best buys, and sometimes the FQ have been reduced (added bonus). number one rule is to have fun.

I don't do that much to get ready to go to a big quilt show. Just bring money and a large tote with water bottle and protein bar, allowed or not. I can sit and eat my bar at the cafe area without spending time waiting for food which is never that good and get back to the show. This being your first one, you will find out first hand what works best for you. My first time to a big quilt show I went with others, big mistake. I go to quilt shows by myself. I may meet up with others but I don't give rides or take a ride to one.

What I do with friends is go my own way once there. We set a time to meet in the food court.
Reason for: she wants to look at something you don't and vice versa. This way you and she will see what each wants to see and not take up valuable time for each other and then compare notes at food court and breaks.

Love this idea for the vendor areas. At bigger shows there can even be more than one, and it's difficult to see everything in a day. Separately you won't waste time hanging around booths you're not that interested in because your friend is -- or wasting even more valuable time hunting for and keeping track of each other.

Sounds like you've gotten all sorts of advice - mine would only be to have fun! :) I enjoy going with friends because you have someone to talk to about what you like, don't like, get opinions, etc. Definitely bring a sturdy bag for your purchases, wear comfy clothes/shoes and just enjoy yourself!! Don't worry about the baby - if they get fussy just go sit somewhere until they calm down then just carry on with the show!!

I'm not anti children but I always think "why don't the people that put on the shows think more about who is really buying and instead of children getting in free, charge more for a child than an adult". Kids aren't the ones putting out hundreds of $$ at these shows. They don't enjoy it and I don't enjoy dealing with them at these shows. Really, I love my children and grandchildren.

Make a drawstring back pack. It is lighter than a regular one that you buy. Include zippered pockets inside and out.

The first thing is, check about the stroller. Sometimes expos get so busy, they don't want strollers banging everyone's ankles. (Are you SURE there isn't someone who can babysit - an expo of any kind isn't really the place for an infant. )Secondly, wear comfortable shoes. I know that sounds obvious, but you might be on your feet a long time. Pare down your purse to just what you need - credit card, ID, phone. Leave the rest in the car where you can get it if you have to. No sense in dragging lipstick, tissues, brush etc if you don't need them to shop. Remember to stay hydrated. As far as shopping, unless there's something particular I want, I look over everything first, or I would start buying as soon as I get there and run out of money before I've even seen half of it! You can make notes on the program about where the vendors are that y want to revisit. And have fun!

Just to add the reason for no stollers is that people get so into the show, they do not look where they are going. There have been accidents with people tripping and falling over strollers and carts. They want the show to be a safe place for all. If your friend has a sling for the baby that would probably work better. If not, just be aware of others around you.

You two ladies are real troopers to bring a baby along. Have a great time at the show. And take pictures to put in the baby book.

Like kids, but I do NOT enjoy having to navigate around anyone with a stroller at a quilt show. I absolutely would not take the stroller, take the baby in a snuggie thing if you have to.

Many times a vendor will hold an item for you if it is large and/or heavy. Be sure to ask and BE SURE TO WRITE DOWN WHERE IT IS! (Want to ask me why I capitalized that part or can you guess?!!) LOL

a three month old fits nicely into a front pack carrier. another option that grandmother is bound to have, is a yard or two of fabric and carry the infant on her hip. You place the child in the middle of the fabric, situate the fabric on hip, back where ever you want and wrap and tie the fabric around your shoulders. i and many other hippie moms and Indigenous woman all over the world have hauled infants around like that. they sleep nicely, all safe and secure.

Welcome to the giant and expensive world of Quilting! I am so fortunate to live in the Houston TX area and that is the only show I usually go to. I've been like 3-4 times, and last year I didn't even take photos. I didn't seen anything that I felt was photo-worthy. Don't get me wrong, I appreciate and honor the work that went into each and every quilt, but I saw more art quilts than traditional, and I prefer the traditional patterns...

Anyway, my recommendation is Crocs shoes (they are wonderful), and a fanny pack and a backpack. The Houston show does not allow bags that you can pull behind you, and I agree with taking the baby - it would be worth paying a babysitter to enjoy the day unencumbered with the responsibilities that small children demand. I know how bad this sounds, but if the only way I could go to a quilt show is with a small child in tow, I would just as soon stay home.

I really do agree that infants and children have no place at an event like this. You say the grandmother is the sitter:rather than hiring anyone I would tell the MOTHER that she needs to stay home and take care of HER OWN child as the "sitter" is unavailable.

I'm sorry but I think that's sort of harsh if the mother is working and the grandmother agreed to take care of the baby while the mother worked. I doubt Mom is out partying and having a good time while leaving the baby with Grandma ...

I wouldn't take an infant (or any child under the age of 13) to a quilt show myself, but I see people who bring them to the Houston show all the time. If Grandma can handle carrying the baby in a sling, that's really the best way to do it, because a stroller is a hazard with so many people around.