Fun Day! I went last year and really enjoyed it.

:thumbup:

robin

This is a quilt I made with the X block ruler. It's pretty simple, actually, once you get started. Basically, you make an oversize 9 patch, (don't look at the flowers, look at the unit with a white square in the center) line up the ruler lines -( it makes the block come out cockeyed) and cut around the ruler. My suggestion would be to make the blocks about 1/2" larger than they tell you, becasue on a lot of them, I had JUST enough. I like to have a little bit more "wiggle room". Good Luck!

Never went to this but am planning to this year.

I cannot even go to quilt shows anymore because I spend too much money for things that look great at the time and never use it once I get home. That goes for kits, rulers (got lots of rulers :) ) and tons of plastic storage containers that I wonder what was in my head when I went to Target. I have friends that brag to me how they spend nothing at a show and I just don't know how they do it. If you find out how to stop spending foolishly don't hesitate to let me know. I am in need! Decafbabe

My DH will wish you never posted this. Never heard of this, but now I think I'll have to go. Think it's only a few hours away.
Gotta find a campground close by.

Oh, yes. There was a table of used quilt books at super prices. I bought an armload and even went back the next day to get a couple more. I read every one and really only two or three were ones I would use. They sat in my quilting bookcase for a year and now they have been shipped off together with older, basic books and ill-considered fabric purchases to a group I hope can use 'em.

I resist fabric 99 44/100's of the time but it's sure gorgeous displayed at the shows. Since you can't touch the quilts I pet the vendors' stuff. :oops:

I think quilters going to a quilt show is the same as kids going to the candy/toy store. You just gotta have it!! :lol: :lol: I know I always come home with lots of new goodies. If I live for another 200 years, I might get to use most of it. :lol: But wait- just think of all the other shows I will go to during that 200 years! No way I'd ever get caught up. :lol:

Cash is your friend! Put some cash and your drivers license in your pocket and off you go! No purse, no wallet -- no ATM card!! Whenever we have an outing that I know can get expensive and we can't afford for it to get expensive I "forget my wallet", and hubby rarely carries his.

Great tip!! Cash is our friend indeed! It gives us boundaries that a charge card won't!
Thanks for that great tip!
Blessings,
MaryAnna

You will love the show. Everytime I enter the doorway and look in, my heart starts pounding and I get so excited to see everything that is being offered. Just try to think twice before you buy something or go back to the booth before the show ends. Have a wonderful time. Decafbabe

True!!

I spent waaayy too much each time I went to Houston!

I went to our local quilt show 2 years ago, I was working there that day and when hubby came to pick me up I told him the new Bernina 830 was being shown in the back corner , I had bought the 440QE not quite a year before, my hubby was so intrieged by the machine , he bought it for me, the vender bought the 440 back for every dime I had put into it , now we have another show coming up in a few weeks, wonder what he will do this year, :lol: :lol: :lol:

We have all done it and yet we will probably do it again.

Every quilt show I go to. I always spend way too much at every one of them.

I have to admit I went to a Quilt Show and bought nothing. I volunteered to work at the quilt here in Bloomington, did my "shift", went home with a free ticket and crawled into bed. I had the flu and spent the week-end in bed. :cry: Maybe you need to ask your friends how they managed not to buy.

I just went to the Quilt Expo in Madison,WI and I had a talk with myself before I went that I didn't need any more patterns. I didn't listen!

The only thing I've ever felt I spent 'foolishly' at a Quilt show is the entrance fee... But I go every time! I finally learned to take a specific amount, leave all my cards at home.... and always wish I had brought more money!!!!

Sounds like fun to me!!

I'm actually looking forward to spending money at the Houston International Quilt Show coming soon!!

Get ready to heat up that credit card!!!! Have fun at the show!

Also go the afternoon of the last day --lots of times they will cut the price in half just so they don't have to pack it up. Also, ask for demo items at half price. I always say 'pretty please" and it usually works.

Lori, try making a quilt or two with the "Yellow Brick Road" (it's a FQ pattern by Terry Atkinson. I bought several (still have one) packs of FQs at shows and this is a fast, great way to do one. I think it takes 30 for a king and less going down in size. Very attractive. If you are interested, I could take a photo of the one on my bed now and send it to you via PM or try to post on here! There are lots of other FQ patterns too if this doesn't appeal to you.

GREAT ADVICE!!

That sounds good, I'll use this story with my DH. Wonder if he will believe me?

Well, I went to Marietta Quilt Show and purchased raffle tickets, etc. I almost purchased a Martenelli cutting mat that was very pricey. However, the reason I DIDN'T was because about 2 weeks ago, after my Artista was damaged, I took my machine in and had it checked out.
They were not sure it was fixable. Soooo, I purchased a B380 Bernina and several goodies thinking my machine was unfixable. NOT SO; By Friday, I found out it would cost $170.00 to repair and that included a $90.00 service.
So even though I have a lighter machine that allows me to take to quilting classes, etc. I SHOULD have waited just four days to find out if my Artista was fixable! If I had waited I wouldn't have spent ANY money on a new machine and therefore be alot richer!

I bought a bunch of 'special feet' for my machine and a video to tell me how to use them.

The lady had a great painted machine and the demo was great....But I have never used the feet and neither has the other people with me who bought them.

What a waste, Kathy

I was just going to ask you the same question, thanks!

Not anymore.

Three years ago, I had the blessing of winning the 1st place prize for all expense paid trip to Paducah, plus $200 cash. Did the happy dance & set out. I spent the $200 on a new style rotary cutter & mat, neither of which I use or like. Wished I had spent the money on fabric instead. Live, learn & quilt, I always say. At least I would have had something to show for my good fortune.

WellI hit Quilt Fest 2 times a year Cinnci and Houston. I do have a list of things I can't find local and get deals on sm feet thread and stablizer! I have a rule too...better buy it when you love it or it will be gone when you go back to you will not be able to find where it was!!

I'm usually on a tight budget most of the time and have to limit my fabric/pattern addiction, so when I know that I am going to a quilt show (such as the Pacific International Quilt Festival next month) I start saving months in advance so that I can shop to my hearts content, and since I saved for several months I know that I'm not sacrificing paying my bills or having gas to get to work, etc. And, I can only go to 1 or 2 quilt shows in a year; I mean, what's the point in going if you can't shop? for me, that's the best part about going to a show.

Can understand your problem. This year I have been saving as much as possible since i will be going to the international show in Houston. Cooking has been slim at our house so I can have the extra grocery money!

Well, I bet we all have our "foolish" days, but to me buying fabric is half the fun of a quilt show, other than the quilts of course. However, I remember one year I went to two different quilt shows, not the same weekend, but I scoured all the booths looking for cat fabric, I was obsessed with finding cat fabric. I hadn't spent money on fabric in a long time, so I went a little (?) crazy, came home with fat quarters, half yards, full yards, panels, the "X" tool (which I have yet to use, but I just found it last week - we moved a year ago), and I even bought a quilt kit, something I had never done before. Have I used it all - no, but I have a 16 month old granddaughter and I know I'll use a lot in an I spy quilt for her, as well as linings for purses and totes. I'll use it eventually, and there's always the Christmas projects with the Christmas cat fabric. I'm addicted to fabric, what can I say, but I'm glad I have it now as I don't have the money to splurge like that now.

Quiltmom- great twister quilt! Thanks for posting it.

I've cut back a bit. We are downsizing - homes and jobs- in about 5 years. I keep hearing about that from my beloved and that sure helps me reconsider many purchases. But, truthfully, I don't have many wants when it comes to supplies. I do give in from time to time. It will all get used. (Someone told me this at the Keepsake Quilting Tent Sale this summer). :)Of course, it might not be all used by me.

You and I must have been on the same binge. Make yourself feel better, learn some new techniques and use those rulers on reducing your stash. That way you will save in the end right? Did you have fun though? Next time leave the credit card at home and only take a set amount of cash.

Or don't bring your DH and teen daughter who both know my weakness and want me to be happy. The good part is I don't spend it anywhere else. So as long as I do not go to shows too often I am pretty safe.

I'm very bad but I don't believe I have to use everything I buy.......I collect it!!!

I'm going to a guild quilt show next week. I know I'll be spending foolishly and loving every minute of it. !

[quote=grann of 6]
I did the same in January at the Road to California quilt show except it was a pattern and kit for an Eagle. Why did I buy all the fabric with it? I already own enough batiks. I don't do applique and I do not do wall hangins. I guess it is time to get out of my comfort zone.