Seems excessive to me. Every question I've ever had has been answered here on the Quilting Board, or YouTube - and got some answers to questions I didn't know I had :)

Paid $30 for a Sharon Schamber class through our quilt guild. What a deal that was. She is wonderful.
D in TX

Too rich for my blood!

#1 What all do you get for $500
#2 Who are the instructors?
#3 Are they lecturing??
~trunk show???
~buy all my cool products?
~or are you sewing?
#4 As you said it is hard to compare US -vs- Aussie prices. but my professional workshops in the US cost $300 for 2 days.
#5 I think you can buy a lot of fabric for that much money.

Good luck deciding.

Nope, way too dear for me. Are they international instructors or locals? Although a one day workshop at the LQS here can be $200, I would not pay that either.

Having said that, once I paid $350 for a ticket to see the Rolling Stones :lol:

Ask yourself if it is your nature to absorb lots of information (7 sessions?) all at once. I would not do it. I like to learn one tidbit of knowledge, then Use it. Some people will be there to be seen; to introduce themselves to the Teachers and Presenters, because they want to join and become a known quilter. For them, it might be a good investment in "who's who." Only you can determine your level of benefit.

Personally I think it's way too expensive, and you'd probably be rushed about from one instructor to the next so fast you may not learn or retain all that much anyway.

Sheesh............I can only say that taking a workshop I never finish an item........I just get the basics and info to go home and finish the project. Sometimes I finish and sometimes I don't. In addition, I get too tired with all the information or learning a new technique. Sounds like a lot to me............JMO not ment to offend.................calla

I`d go with the two quilts to the quilters if it was me!!

You answered your own question. For you to have already thought of the alternative to taking these classes, you have justified not doing it. You get quilts sent out, you pick up info on the Board and online. Your pocketbook isn't stretched. I am willing to bet more people learn a bit at a time, and search for what they need when they have time and are willing to get the info by taking that time to go online or peruse books or patterns.
However, if you want to learn extensive info immediately and get going on using all that knowledge, take the classes-that would be justified also.
Every one learns differently. I personally cannot sit in on classes or spend money on classes having someone teach me. I never had lessons on using my 2 Babylocks or my serger. All self taught and still learning.