What do you do first at a quilt show?
 

What do you do first when you go to a quilt show - shop the vendors or see the quilts? My friends and I always shop first and then view the quilts. I hate to admit it, but there have been times when I've gone to a quilt show and ONLY shopped!!

It depends on the show's layout.

at Houston and Lancaster the vendors are closest to the main entrances, so I zipped through them first; made mental notes; go back to look more closely at anything that still interests me after i've been through the quilt exhibits.

at Jacksonville and Amelia Island, i went straight to the quilts because those displays started at the entrance.

at this stage of the game, i consider a show trip a success if i walk out with nothing in my bag except inspiration.
i have learned that most of the prices are about the same as i'd pay online.
i try hard to part with my $$$ only if it's something i really need and the price is especially low.

(ok ... confession ... i didn't really need that machine i got at Lancaster, but i really, really, really wanted it and the price was too good to pass up. LOL)

At large shows, its typically the vendors first. There is one vendor that I now has the most exquisite fabrics and I can not relax and take in the quilts till I have been to that booth.

I see the quilts first because I alway buy and I don't want to wag a bunch of stuff around when I am drooling over the quilts.

I have to look at everything at least twice. So I usually do a "fast loop" through the whole show (vendors AND quilts) and then go back for a more leisurely look at specific things that caught my attention. Otherwise I'm afraid to linger at any one spot (quilt or vendor booth) because what if I run out of time and MISS something!?!?

well I used to head for the quilts on display but lately they haven't had anything but vendors. Not my type of "quilt" show at all!!!

I usually walk through the quilts first, then vendors. That way I don't have to lug my goodies around much! ;)

I've been to all the major quilt shows but Paducah is my favorite. You aren't confined to one building, the show takes over the whole town. I have a set routine for Paducah which takes 2 days. For other smaller shows I first view the quilts and then make the round of vendor booths. I take a coffee break, then go back to the vendor booths I checked as wanting to browse more. I take a another walk through the quilts and vote for the Best in Show or Viewer's Choice.

I do the raffles/silent auction first. LOL These are usually right inside the door at our guild's quilt show. Then on to the quilts on display and finally the vendors. Have not had the privilege of going to a really large show.

Because I live close to Houston, I am lucky that I can (and usually do) go every day. For those of you who haven't been or may not know, if you sign up for a class at the Houston IQF, you are able to go to preview night and every day at no extra charge. There is a processing fee (last year it was $38) and the cost of the class, but it is totally worth it. You can go to their website and put your name on a list to be notified when the class catalogue is ready to download. Once you have taken a class, you will automatically be on their list as long as you take a class each year. Also, if you sign up for a class, you are permitted to enter preview night at 5pm, where the general public doesn't get to enter until 7pm. Also, there are a couple bag check booths, where you can store your stuff, so you don't have to haul it around. Be sure to take a big bag that you can put it all in, because they charge $1 per bag. You can get your bag and put more stuff in it, but each time you do that, it costs you another $1. There is a parking garage directly across from the George R. Brown Convention Center, and you can also just haul your stuff to your car instead of checking it.

At the Houston show, preview night is always about the vendors for me, because the extra two hours with very little crowding means you can see demos easier and booths are not crowded. I try to visit the special area for "causes", like Alzheimer's, Quilts of Valor, etc., first, then alternate between the quilts and the vendors. Also, plan to stay for Sunday, because a lot of the vendors start marking their stuff down, rather than having to haul it all away. One year, I got 7 packages of king size W&N cotton batting for $100. And last year, I got a small Tutto rolling case for 50% off the retail price.

I'm with sewnoma - take a quick look so I can then plan my attack. However, due to experience last year, I am going to make it a point to look at the quilts early in the show when it is less crowded. Last year when I went back to really look at them, it was really crowded. Although there are tons of vendors, I'm really only interested in a limited number of things - new gadgets mostly.

Neither. First thing, I try to find where the restrooms are .

I see the quilts first. I hardly ever buy at the vendors. I like to be able to step back and peruse the fabric. With the crowds it is difficult to do that. Also many vendors only bring pre-cuts. Or the fabric is stacked in such a way that it is not easy to view and have something 'grab' my attention. If there are demos of some tool or technique that might prompt me to buy something but not usually.

I start at the aisle that is least crowded...........calla

I live in Houston, but since I work I usually only do one day at the quilt show. I get there for opening and go to look at the quilts. Most people head for the vendors, so I let them get on with it and I enjoy taking photos of quilts and not having to try to work around too many people. It usually takes me a couple hours to get to the point where I'm ready to go have lunch, and after that, I go to the vendor booths. By then, a lot of the crowd has cleared the first few rows of vendors, or I will start at the "wrong end" and work back toward the first row. People are very structured, I have found, and most of them will start at row 100 instead of row 2500. Works well for me!

For local shows I do the quilts first even if there are vendors there.

If it were a national show I would quickly see the vendors early then spend the bulk of my time on the quilts, demos, and free lectures.

I always try to get to the show when they open their doors and ALWAYS shop first. Usually the quilts are closer to the entrance and most people will stop there first so by shopping first don't have to deal with crowds in the vendor area.

I usually go to the vendors first at Houston, but then find myself exhausted when it comes to seeing the displayed quilts and usually don't appreciate them as much because I'm so tired. So this year, I'm going to reverse it and see the displayed quilts first...I figure the worst thing to happen is that I will miss a few buying opportunitues - and I can honestly say I can live with that!

Toilet . Drink food. Now I am up for anything and depending on show. If there are small classes go and book in to any I fancy..
Then quilts . I can see vendors in their own shops or on line. So I also look for demos

I go to vendors first. sometimes they have only a certain number of items, and they may sell out quickly.

I loved that LOL Sad to say, most of my quilting friends and are in the same situation. Where they are and the layout of the show then dictate what order. The way it was set up at Oaks, PA the last time I went, we looked at 1/2 the vendors, then quilts, then vendors. Then back through any vendors that absolutely had to be revisited. I wish it were easier for Quilt shows to have motorized carts for rent for some of us. I and many of my friends rarely go to shows anymore because of the walking; Lancaster is a great show but a horror for walking but it's configuration makes impractical if not dangerous (Envision a 75 yr old woman who doesn't drive riding a motorized cart down a 45 degree incline or one coming up it for that matter.) I know the problems involved in this and have heard more than one story from Houston show (trying to back out of an elevator on one). So I know why they usually don't have them but will continue to suggest as I'm now at the point where it's questionable whether or not I'll make the entry.

I check the vendors first. It's usually not crowded when the show first opens. Later....squishy nightmare. Then I usually check out the food choices! I wish there were more benches or chairs at most shows. The Quilt Expo in Madison has improved on that over the years thankfully. Haven't been to Paducah for a few years, but years ago it was impossible to find a resting place, even on the floor. And I don't get up and down off the floor very well at all with my bad knees.

I always shop first, then enjoy the quilts.

Sounds like my wife. LOL

Patrice's comment about the machien and Bearisgray made me giggle. We have many things in common!

I try to view quilts first so that I don't have things to tote around with me. TRY. I have little will power, and am always afraid that the very fat quarter I NEED, the only one that would have been perfect, will be gone if I don't go and shop first...

It also depends on the layout. I went to a small one last year where the quilts were up the center w/ vendors on either side. So I'd view an aisle of quilts, then go the vendors near the end of that aisle. Then go up the next, and swing past the vendors on the other end near those aisles.

I kinda do both. I start with the quilts and as I see a vendor (sometimes they are along the outside walls) I stop to look at them. I do agree that I don't necessarily want to carry around my treasures.
I'm not very disciplined when it comes to shopping at quilt shows ;)

Well, if I have been driving for the past 1 1/2 hours like down to Road to California, I first find the bathroom too. Then we usually go through all the vendors first then look at the display quilts.
The last couple of times I went I was in a wheel chair and so we could hang all of our purchases off of my chair and not have to carry them. I got out the chair to look at booths that I wanted to look at and sat and enjoyed looking at the people at the show when I did not want to go into the booth.

I usually split it. I'll start at the Quilts, do a section or two then head to the vendors. I have learned the hard way to purchase when I see it. I once spent quite a while looking for a pattern that I considered and trying to go back for it. I didn't realize the rack rotated. Finally I found it. Then I go back and look at the rest of the quilts.

Vendors first - just want to check out the scene first to see if there's something I can't live without!

I am new to this site and so far love all the ideas and suggestions. I will be attending the quilt show in Paducah in April for the first time. I know I will probably be on sensory overload so any do's and don'ts would be much appreciated. I know the first is probably bring a full wallet and wear comfortable shoes, but in addition to these two things any suggestions? I will be there 3 full days and cannot wait! Also any suggestions on any stores to visit while there that are super special?
thank you,
Crafty Bee

I've only been to 2 small quilt shows so far, but I have like 3 stages. The first stage involves just a quick run of the vendors. Not really buying anything unless I see something I have to have right that second. Then I move on to looking at the quilts. And when I'm done with that I'll go back to the vendors and really shop.

Depends on the layout. I also ask first where the restrooms are, check out if they're in the front. I head for the quilts first, but if the vendors are in the way, I'll go down one row of vendors on the way to the quilts. Then the vendors, looking first, then returning to buy. But I would need a driving cart now to attend a quilt show. I wouldn't be able to walk that far, even with a walker.

I try to have enough time to do the quilts first, then the vendors, drop off purchases at the car, back to quilts, final sweep throught he vendors to buy the stuff I tried, but couldn't, talk myself out of.

I've only been to one quilt show, but this is what I did.

Just the vendors. Most of the quilts are not to my taste - either color or design, and most are too heavily quilted.

Anyone heading to the Dallas Quilt Show this weekend? Trying to decide if I want to go on Saturday or Sunday. I really wish they would move it to the Dallas Convention Center. Since the Dart station stops there, I wouldn't have to ask my hubby to drive me. I do not like the thought of driving myself to the Dallas Market Square at all.

Uh Oh...you've found me out! Been there, done that...too many times to count! LOL :D
I always check out the vendors first. I try to get to the show on the first day it opens, first thing in the morning (or whenever it opens) so I can get the best selection at the vendors. After I've shopped, I then see the quilts.

Anita

My sister and I went to the Dallas Quilt Show today. I really enjoyed it. Luckily my sister drove, so I didn't have to worry about the Dallas traffic....thank goodness. We started with the vendors and then did the quilts. Last year we reversed that order....guess it is just whatever we feel like. :)

It was a good show. My sister is in charge of our quilt show in October, so she was also interested in inviting vendors she hadn't contacted yet. That gave us sort of an additional "task" and may have influenced why we started with the vendors. :)

Enjoy the show, no matter which day you go. It was crowded, but that is the way it seems to be. Lots of quilters out there.

Dina

I make a list of the specific things I want to buy from the vendors and do that first. Then any classes, then a browse around the vendors. After lunch and all shopping finished - visit the quilts.

Vendors for sure.! Paducah is coming up soon!