Quilt Shows Pros and Cons
 

all quilt shows are good. some are better than others.

I feel they need a seperate atavory for hand and machine applique, pcing, and especially quilting

I agree. For me when I first walk in and see some of the gorgeous quilts I think to myself "why do I even bother?" Mine will never be as good. But a few minutes later I just enjoy seeing all the quilts and am thankful that I do quilt at all. I also enjoy buying fabrics from the vendors.

You can learn a lot about your own quilitng by observing the quilts in the show.
At least I do!
What makes the show quilts awesome?
What flaws do you see in the ones shown?
How do my skills and the quilts I make match up to those in the show?

When I go to a show, I go with a personal objective as to what I want to learn ... eg. discover new border ideas, look at patterns/designs used in machine quilting that I might be able to use, etc.


Cons? Not sure how there can be any negatives ... unless you go with a sourpuss outlook! :)

Unsure whether you are talking about entering or viewing, but either way it's all pro and no con in my book. You can only get better by what you learn from shows.

I've never been to any quilt show or fair where they weren't separate.

The only con is you can spend way too much money

Most of our smaller quilt shows have yummy home made sandwiches, slices and cakes for morning tea and lunch, and that is a definite bonus! I also like to buy 2nd hand quilt magazines (often 3 for a dollar), and other people's left over fabric pieces (the local guild usually has a fund raising table with donated material).
So you don't need to go to a major quilt show to enjoy spending a few hours, and as others have mentioned, you can often find inspiration such as a new border concept, or original colour combinations. I go to every quilt show I can.

And too, there's a 3rd dimension ...
... perhaps the query is about hosting and organizing a quilt show?

I love quilt shows, small or large, although I have never been to a really "large" show. I always come away with ideas for new projects, border ideas, etc. Always spend too much money!

Remember that you do NOT need every single gadget offered - how many of us have something we were convinced we couldn't live without, and it still sits in the package not used even one single time?

Another down-side of quilt shows - when you buy something and love it, like a panel or what-not, and then you want another one and can't find it for anything. Good idea to keep a biz card with the item for repurchasing purposes. Lesson learned the hard way to apply for future shows, I can assure you!

Really depends on who the promoter is. Some quilt shows are phenominal, others...not so much, especially vendors....most of their "Deals" are not deals at all. For example: I went to one once where I bought the Chenille cutter from Olfa and extra blade...dont remember how much it was but...had I waited and gone to Joanns with a coupon, it would have been cheaper. Most of the notions are NOT deals at all. That to me is the most annoying of all...that and RUDE shoppers, that crowd in front or bump and not say a word...RUDE RUDE RUDE!!!

I have entered shows quite a lot. Depending on the show, you have those that are judged and juried and then the people's choice award shows. Both are great. I like the judged type because I can be critqued on my work so I may improve on what I am doing and get unbiased opinion on colors, techniques, quilting etc. The people's choice is a bit more challenging because you are making a quilt to appeal to people who attend the shows. Now several people who attend quilt shows that are voted on this way are quilters themselves so to win over your fellow quilter is not an easy task. I also like to enter them just to see my quilt hang so nicely to show off itself. Recently, I am going to brag a bit here, I entered in the Spokane County Fair for the first time this year and when I walked in to see how well I did, I actually teared up because mine were hanging from the rafters with first place on them. That feeling is so awesome. I didn't win a best of show, but first still pays some dividends which is great for me. I know the construction of the quilt is in the top category, when I put them in the quilt show next month, we will see how people really like them. Felt good to win with all the hard work I have been putting in lately to get there.
As for the shopping, I generally don't buy anything unless I know I am not going to order it online or that I know the quilt shops here locally are not carrying it or won't be. I shop enough at them they know me by name. Also I teach at one. So from the opinions you have here, you get what you want out of the quilt shows. Have fun at them, think before spending, and most of all, learn from them.