Quilt Show....Go or stay home & quilt?
 

That's my quandary. I have the day to myself. I can quilt all day if I like, or I can go to the Georgia quilt show which is about a 2 & 1/2 hour drive for me. Part of me wants to stay home & quilt to my heart's content. The other part figures I'll be kicking myself for not going. I've never been to this show. I'm wondering how it compares to the Asheville quilt show which is the largest one I've ever been to. Thouhts anyone? Which choice would you make?

GO - Go - Go! you can always quilt at home, but the shows are once a year. I went to Jacksonville Last month and loved the show and vendors!!!

I would go! You may get some fresh inspiration and perspective! Enjoy a nice day out at a lovely show. I'm sure you won't regret it!

Go! Winter's coming on and you will have plenty of time to sew. You are sure to get more ideas, patterns and fabric to fill your winter days with sewing.

Start kicking now if you decide not to go!! You can find other times to quilt, but the show will be gone! I wish I could go to a show, but my health prohibits it..think of all the wonderful ideas you will getr there

It's late for you now - I hope you went. I drive to Ontario, CA every year for the Road to California every year. When my sister lived in Rialto I would spend the night up there and go twice. Now I just go for the day. It is worth the drive every year and if you want quilting time, then take your machine and spend the night. I have never regretted going to a quilt show only missing one because no one wanted to go with me and my sister moved away.

I'm thinking it's tomorrow that you are talking about? Or maybe Saturday? Absolutely get a friend to go with you and GO! You'll be so inspired and have such fun. Pick up all the freebies you can. HQ always gives away chocolate kisses, and there will be coupons and other fun things to get, too. Sign up for drawings and maybe buy a raffle ticket. If we were closer I'd go with you!!

Yep, it's tomorrow I'm thinking about and y'all have persuaded me I really should go. LynnVT, I wish you were here to go with me. Thanks all!

Hope you DO decide to go even if you can't find someone to go with. I've been to a small local quilt show, but attended my first big quilt show (the International Quilt Festival in Houston, TX) last November and went by myself. I had a blast and will be going again in just a couple of weeks. I got so inspired and was amazed at all of the talent represented by the many quilts. It was helpful to see and get to purchase some of the newest quilting tools on the market, also. Have fun and enjoy treating yourself!

Unless you have a deadline, I hope you went to the show!! The quilting will still be there when you get home with renewed inspiration!

I drove 1/2 hour to one where the vendors had quilts on display in their booth areas but other quilts that normally would have been in a separate room on display to visitors were hung above the vendor rows at ceiling height. I couldn't seem them worth anything! very disappointing. I may not go next year. that was terrible.
i'm going this weekend to a guild show. i know i can actually see their quilts!!

Oh, please go.... I was there today and saw so many beautiful and inspirational quilts. Yes there is sooooooo much temptation to buy everything you see but you have to put the retraints on. Sew later and get your walking shoes ready. I'm thinking about going again tomorrow.

I lived in Memphis for a long time and attended the first fifteen years of the American Quilter's Society shows...and I wouldn't trade those special times for anything. So...............GO!

Go !....the inspiration alone will make it worth while.

I bet if you go it will give you a boost and sewing at home will be even more fun. Besides, there's got to be a vendor or two that may have something to add to your arsenal. Sounds like a win-win to me.

That's a no brainier. Quilt shows only come once a year and see how inspired you will get!

I have never ever regretted going to a show but I have regretted staying home.

I will be the lone dissenting vote. I would think seriously about staying home if I were you. I have so few days that could be devoted to quilting, and a lot of days spent running around. It would be hard to give up a quiet day. And there is a quilt show on QB every day - no need for me to go looking for more to look at. Whatever you do, enjoy the day!

show, they are unbelievable, like someone said you can quilt anytime but shows are not everyday

I'm going Sat hope to get some good ideas and not spend to much.

GO, I have never regreted going, but have often regreted NOT going to a quilt show.

Kat

Go! I spent Wednesday at the judging for our guild show as a scribe for the judge. Great educational experience for me. This afternoon I went back to help with the hanging (partly also to get a sneak peek). I'll go again on Sunday to take some pictures of favorite quilts and help with the takedown. Very inspired now to get back into my sewing room.

Cheers, K

Cardinal Rule for Quilters .... Don't EVER miss a Quilt Show !!!

There are lots of days you can quilt ... but Shows only come once a year (or 2) !!

Think I've only regretted going to maybe ONE quilt show in 25 years of quilting, it was years ago and was a very small show ... even so, it was a beautiful Fall day and we still enjoyed our trip & Girls Day Out !

I just gave up a day of quilting to go to the International Quilt Show in Santa Clara, CA. Took a granddaughter with me and, although she got tired she still says she was glad to go. Find a friend who needs/would enjoy going out with you and you have created a win/win trip.

The inspiration and the awareness of all the different things you could be doing with your quilting makes it pay to go! Blows my mind to go to a good show! Even our tiny show in our tiny town is inspirational! Ideas are floating around out there that you and I have yet to capture!

If it were me, I would hate to drive 2 1/2 hours by myself. I've done it but not enjoyed it. But I don't like driving that far by myself. If you are going with someone, I'd go. Otherwise, I'd stay home and sew. So, I guess I'm the second one who votes for staying home and sewing all day. You will save money on gas and on whatever you would purchase. But then again, you will miss out on everything the show has to offer. That's just what I would do because I wouldn't want to drive so far.

By all means, go! You will see awsome quilts, quilted clothes of all kinds, fabulous fabric, notions of all sorts, and you will find inspiration you will draw from for years, perhaps. I am not a creative person, but I benefit from seeing just how some people can come up with great ideas.

Oh gosh if I were that close I would go. I had it in my mind to go there (we are in Baton Rouge) because I go to Atlanta a lot since my son lives there, but, we are going in two weeks and I just didn't want to do it twice in two weeks because of stuff going on here at home. But I haven't stopped thinking about it. I've been twice before and it was wonderful.

It's more than a 2 hour drive for me as well, but I talked Hubby into taking me. He actually enjoyed it! The quilts were spectacular, most of the vendors wonderful and interesting, loved the demonstrations, and spent WAY too much money. Some frustrations along the way - discovered AT the show that my ever-loving son had taken the memory card out of my camera, so had to use my cell phone, that he had ALSO taken the sim card out of, to take pics, but by that happening, he also got to experience the show and was really amazed at the quilts I chose to take pictures of. He even had favorites!

This was my first quilt show experience, so I didn't take any classes - wanted to get a feel for what the show was all about. But got to play on a Baby Loc and that was a lot of fun. Thank you to the lady that was demo-ing the machine that spent so much time with me showing me the features!

Overall, well worth the drive. Bonus factors in spending time with husband and impressing son!

You should go to the quilt show. Your quilt will still be waiting for you when you get home. I enjoy quilt shows. I love to see the new gadgets and how to use them. Plus you get to meet so many people with the same interest.

I've gone to the I or A QS show in Chicago and was so disappointed when they moved it to another state. BUT IT'S COMING BACK!!!! I'll go unless it conflicts with our guild quilt show. It's only done that once before. The guild always takes a busload when it doesn't conflict with our show. Just can't wait!

Go...you can quilt when you get home or another time...You may find something you truly cannot live without at the show. My daughter and I drive for hours to make sure we get to the Houston Festival Quilt Show every year...no matter what!

I think it depends. The gas, and the money you spend on whatever buy, including lunch out, may be more than you want to spend. So, if money isn't any object, then, seriously think about going (though I've never been to a show and would like to go to one), but if money is tight, then just stay home---there is inspiration around you everywhere these days.

"There will always be another sale." That's my motto--the companies really want your money. Don't sweat it if you decide not to go.

That saying, I've been sitting at home sewing this afternoon thinking that I'd love to go to a quilt show somewhere, sometime (a really good one), but wondered if I'll ever be able to afford one. I'd have to go internationally, probably and doubt I could afford the ticket, hotel, etc. Then, if I did all that, I'd probably not have any money to buy anything at the show, and for me, that would be more frustrating that just staying at home!

I really wanted to go, but that's a 4 1/2 drive for me. I am in waaaay south GA. I hope you went and enjoyed the show. I know the one in Jacksonville always inspires me!

Quilt shows are always fun and inspiring. I go when ever I get the chance. GO GO. Have fun.

I went to that GA quilt show - the one in Duluth.. and had a blast. I got to see lots of goodies in action, came home with oodles of things including two machines :D
I loved their color path project and the houses. Next year's challenge quilt is "20" I'm already planning that one out. I think I'm going to enter one next year. It would be cool knowing my quilt could tour the country. :D

It was a 3 /12 - 4 hour drive for me but I'm glad I went. I had a great day. Next show will be Paducah for me... unless there are some smaller ones closer.

Don't keep us in suspense! What machines did you buy?

lol. sorry about that. I didn't mean to leave you hanging. I bought a Juki 2000 (I originally wanted the 2010 but decided that since I wouldn't be using it for quilting often the extra tension adjustments weren't really that important to me) and a Tin Lizzie sit down. I went there thinking I'd be leaving with the HQ Sweet 16 but after test sewing both machines I really preferred the Lizzie - and the difference in the cost between the HQS16 and the Lizzie covered the cost of the Juki for me :)
The Juki is here with me now and the Lizzie will be arriving in a few weeks - hopefully not too many weeks away since I've got things I want to quilt :D

Wow, what sewing machine riches! I'm really happy for you. What were you using before the new Juki?

i would go i love quilt shows

I got them both for the same price as the HQ. Had I decided on the HQ, I would not have gone home with the Juki. It would have waited until next year.
I've been using a Janome 4900qc which is a very nice machine but after stitching on the Juki, I really really wanted that stitch quality. I feel like I just stepped up to a Cadillac and am going to drive the 'vette on special occasions... like when I need a free arm or anything more than a straight stitch...
Now to make a table for my machine to sit in and I'll be a happy happy quilter :D