Visiting Paducah for the first time
 

Hello, we are visiting Paducah for the very first time. There are seven of us going and have heard lots of great things about going. Some people have told us about great buys with fabric. Does anyone have any experience with where are the best places and when to go to get good fabric at a great price. Also any suggestions as to not to miss things to do. We are arriving on Tues night, have Thurs and Friday classes. Thank you

If you are talking about the Quilt Show - then you won';t have any problems getting around, etc. - the newspaper (where my DD works as a reporter) puts out a section in their newspaper with a map, directions to all venues, etc. Quilt in a Day (Eleanor Burns) will have three or four locations where she sells fabric. To me, that is the only place where you will get an actual bargain. Hancocks of Paducah is one of the most fantastic fabric stores in the world - a MUST SEE - but they sell at a very high retail price. They might have some remnants at a sale price but they will be picked over. At Quilt in a Day, every day of the week she will have a $1 off per yard on certain colors of fabrics - red fabrics, blue, brown, etc. I picked out a fabric last year that was basically blue but had little pink flowers on it and it was "pink day" and they let me have it for $1 off per yard. My DH goes with me and my DD and he helps hold the bolts, etc. while we are in line - although, Quilt in a Day has lots of tables that you can put you stuff on.

First of all...Hancock's of Paducah is a MUST STOP. The bargains will be in the back room where there are tables upon tables with sooo much fabric. Of course the earlier you get there the better because there will be many, many women pawing through all of that fabric. It's fun, though. All you need to do is a "shout out" that you're looking for a hot pink, or something, and soon others will be shouting back that they found something for you. Also, in that back warehouse room there are lots and lots of jelly rolls, bali pops, and kits that are very exciting to see. Out front the bolted fabrics are endless. Also, many quilts hanging from the ceiling for display.

Then...across from the museum the Murray Sewing Center from Murray, KY will have a "store/tent" set up all week. They will open up on Monday, a couple of days ahead of the show. Eleanor Burns always has a tremendous sale barn, etc in one of the parks. And, I agree, that the really good deals will be there. They usually have three price categories on the fabrics, lots of books and other "tools" of the trade.

The whole town will be devoted to making your stay a pleasant one. Trollies run constantly between the parks, the Mall where there are vendors...some good deals can be found there..., the antique mall downtown where there are more vendors and deals, and the convention center where the actual show is set up.

Hope you all have a great time. We here in Paducah can't wait to see all of you.

Something I forgot to mention above.
There is also the Grand Rivers show which is held at the same time as the Paducah show. It has only about 150 quilts and more "down home" quality. Some like it better because the winner is chosen by "viewers choice." It is about 20 minutes from Paducah out by the Lakes and there is a wonderful restaurant out there...Patti's Settlement. The botanical garden there is fun to stoll through...very relaxing after the Paducah crowds.

There are sooo many good things to do while at Paducah.

Get the map and schedule. See if there are any classes [if any are still open] that you might take. there are lots of demos and, of course, Eleanor Burns is there. There are usually evening events also. Take time to browse the schedule and map as much as you can.

In my group we didn't all want the same thing so we split up groups so that no person was alone. With cell phones it is easy to arrange getting together for lunch or whatever.

Enjoy.

I wore out socks when I went. So wear good walking shoes [which I did] and have extra socks. It is nice if you don't mind using a fanny pack so you have your hands free. Take a camera or be prepared to load up you cell phone.

You won't find any great fabric bargains. Quilt in A Day has big tent/wareouse fabric sales. Also be sure and watch Eleanor Burn's tent show. It's fantastic. She has it twice a day and then stays all day to sign books. She always has a smile on her face and very accessible to quilters. Her shop in downtown but her show sales are out by the fairgrounds. She may have moved to her warehouse this year. The Rotary Club always has a quilt exhibit with lots of vendors in their building. Finkle's has $6 quilt books in their warehouse. The Quilt Museum has the auction quilts and the Yo Yo Ladies.
The mall has lots of vendors! Too many to miss. Hancocks is fabric overload. If you have time sit on the porch and talk to the dozens of quilters there waiting for the shuttle buses or tour buses. It's fun to meet quilters from all over. If you are driving you can get to places faster then using the shuttle bus but the bus is fun to chat with other quilters. Plenty of parking everywhere. Take bottle water with you.

don't miss the park where elanor burns has her show and lot of fabric .....each day the deal of the day is a different color

i went about 10 yrs ago all the shops are great to see and there was a button place that had tons of buttons plus go to hannocks have fun!!!

Across from the Museum there's a $5 a yard store with quite a bit of good stuff. I was pleasantly surprised last year at
the variety and selection. The town is easy to get around in if you want to drive, but the shuttles are free if you don't. The empty stores down town are rented by vendors and you can spend all day just on Broadway checking out what they have. The 49th annual lighted Dogwood Trail is probably going to coincide with the show as well...nice drive through a historic part of town and folks light their dogwood trees at night. Several churches in the area have quilter's meals and the prices are great. If anyone wants the meal schedule, I'll be happy to post it. Don't forget to check out the murals on the floodwall and the Market House square...Kirchoff's Bakery is a huge treat too...they serve sandwiches and baked goods all day long. (and a big favorite with the locals as well) Mom is one of the YoYo ladies and they're busy getting the finishing touches put on all of their stuff as well...let's hope the weather stays nice!

I would love to go and my husband has volunteered to take the trip with me--but what is there for non-quilting husband's to do? He would probably just enjoy a decent place to stay and be quiet and read--hotels/inns? (next year, not this year)

I am in the minority but really didnt care for Hancocks. Loved Quilter's Alley -- very nice, helpful woman owns it -- try not to miss it.

If your husband is a fisherman, he'll love going! Mine can't wait to return! When we went we stayed at a hotel on the shuttle bus route (expensive, but worth it in cases like this), so I didn't need a car, and dh took ours and went fishing at the huge man made lakes at the "Land Between the Lakes". There were about 200 blue herons there fishing with him!

It is my dream to go to Paducah. I still have little ones so it will have to wait, unless I have my quilt in the show LOL - one can dream, right? Have fun, take lots of pictures and report back. Happy bargain hunting!

The Kentucky Dam Marina rents houseboats (30 minutes from Paducah) He could enjoy the Lake, possibly fish or just read a good book. You could take the car. Paducah is also full of antique stores if he likes browsing for hidden treasure. There's a casino just across the river in Metropolis if he enjoys that type of recreation. If he plays guitar, there are several music stores that he could poke around in too.

The quilt show use to have a husband lounge with big screen tv, comfortable easy chairs, and refreshments If he loves people the porch at Hancock's is a great place to sit and chat. Always a lot of DH's there. I think there is enough for him to do from place to place that he won't get bored.

I think he'd love the idea of the houseboat and relaxation--thank you, that's great.

I have gone every year for over 15 years.
1. You have to eat at the Taste of Paducah on Friday night. Fabulous.
2. The buffet at the Methodist Church on Saturday night is also fabulous. They never fail to have a great meal.

Quiltinaday.com has a coupon for the fabric at Paducah and remember she has three stores (downtown, Carson Park and the warehouse) all with fabric and supplies and all with color of the day discounts and other discounts. Always ask. Last year all the fabric was $5 per yard before any discounts. I would not be surprised if she had 8000-10000 bolts since it feels like that. At the beginning of the week the fabric is by color but by the end of the week it is a little confused.

The people of Paducah are warm and welcoming.

The show is always wonderful and huge. Pace yourself. I usually run around like a crazy person for about 4 or 5 hours on the day I go to the show and then take a free bus ride to get off my feet. One year I met the Grand Prize winner on the same bus. There is just so much to see.

Hancocks was a disappointment. But I always hope it will be better. At least they have enough cutters and cashiers. They arrange most of the fabric by manufacturer. Know the price of batting back home. I think their prices on batting are good.

I went about 15 years ago...and hope to go back sometime again...maybe after I retire. Hancocks was an awesome place to get great buys on fabric. Too long ago for me to make any other recommendations..but have fun visiting all the vendors. We did take advantage of church suppers while we were there and had great food at a good price, so you might want to check that out vs going out for some of your meals. The churches had special seatings for quilters ...you signed up for what time you wanted to eat at. We even got the recipes at one of the churches we went to.

Paducah is quite small - most guests stay at bed and breakfasts in the area. I've been thinking of going to experience the whole thing - a bus goes from this area so all meals and places to stay are taken care of. Many from this area have gone and loved every minute of the trip.