Why do you go to quilt conventions?
 

Hopefully some day I w/b able to go to major quilt convention. But then I think, why! I have fab..maybe too much to sew up in my lifetime...rulers...books...trying to make one quilt from each book that I have...mags...same plan as with the books. Have tons of links of quilts to make from the internet.

So if you are like me and you go to the conventons...Houston, Paduka (sp) Road to CA, Why?...Just courious?

Ideas, inspiration, and to be wowed!

I love to go to Quilt Shows and look at the quilts. They are just amazing and inspirational. I do not buy much from the vendors as I have most of what I need already and I like to buy local when possible.

It is fun to see new gadgets and different ways of making things.

I go to soak it all in. Sort of like visiting a museum, except more exciting. You can see art on the internet or in books, but there is nothing like viewing it all up close and personal. The experience always fills me up with positive energy.

Just to enjoy the adventure and people watch, if nothing else. Seeing a pic of a quilt is good, but seeing it "for real" can sometimes be awesome....

I don't have any friends who are quilters so for me (in addition to just going to bask in all the glorious quilts), I go to be amongst people that share my passion. I go alone, but I enjoy striking up little mini conversations with other random "singles" there as we end up in the same bay looking at the same quilts, so I rarely feel lonely at those type events. I usually only feel lonely when I get hungry and end up sitting by myself somewhere to eat; which is fine, I eat quickly and get back out on the floor with the quilts!

I used to really want someone to go with me but now at this point I enjoy my solo trips because it's all on my schedule. I can stare at the same quilt for 20 minutes if that's what I want to do (and sometimes that's exactly what I need to do) and nobody gets impatient with me. And if there's a section of something I'm not interested in (like wearables - they just don't do it for me) I can skip it and not annoy anyone (or have to get dragged through it myself!)

But of course, the main draw is the quilts themselves. I usually go through the whole show twice, just because I always notice things on the 2nd go-round that I missed before. And I do stare at some quilts for an awfully long time, I just can't help it sometimes!

Thanks so much for your post. I too, am thinking of going solo to a couple of upcoming quilt shows. I don't have any friends that quilt and to tell you the truth, I really don't want to take the DH. He'd be bored stiff. You've given me some courage to go alone. Thanks!

~ Cindy

Yes, for me it was inspiration. I always took a camera. It is more exciting than shopping and looking online. Since I don't drive anymore, I do miss going to them.

Mostly for inspiration! There are quilts at these shows that will burn into your memory forever because they are so fabulous.

One other valuable lesson I've learned after attending numerous shows relates to notions and gadgets. Watching countless demonstrations, you realize that while there may be a tool, ruler or gadget for every quilting task out there, the reality is that you will probably only end up using a small handful of what's available. This translates into more money in your pocket for fabric!

I do have a few friends & relatives who quilt, but I love to go alone! As Sewnoma said, if I want to look at a quilt or demo for 20 minutes I can! I always turn down offers to meet someone for lunch or just meet up. I don't want to be checking my watch to see if I need to leave & find them, & what happens if I'm just not hungry right then?, or in the middle of a discussion with a vendor demoing a new product? The AQS show in Grand Rapids is 200+ miles, so I have to stay the night, I miss the obvious advantage of splitting the hotel bill and buying more fabric, but it's a real treat for me to be on my own schedule.
I love to look at the show quilts, but consider that part as sort of going to a fine arts museum. I am in awe of the workmanship, but am not really inspired by them because I feel it's way beyond my capabilities. I'm a gadget nut, and love looking at all the new stuff the vendors have.
I do go with friends to smaller local shows. These definitely inspire creativity. Many of the quilts there I feel are within my capabilities, and I get lots of ideas.

I like to see what is new with vendors and love to watch demos. I like looking at the quilts and sometimes it is in absolute awe. Sometimes I am just surprised by a color combination that I didn’t know I liked until I saw it. I love to look at quilting up close and get ideas. Also looking closely at free motion quilting makes me more confident in my quilting because the bobbles that make me sad and haunt me in my work are sometimes visible in the works of others. If I am going to a show for multiple days I might take a class. Sometimes it works out that there is lecture/demo with multiple instructors doing little demos and I always sign up for that if it fits my schedule. Another favorite is when there is an area with a display of quilts made by the teachers or authors at the show - it's always interesting to look closely at their work if I am thinking of taking a class or purchasing a book.</SPAN>

we are so lucky here that we have five lqs within 20 mile radius. however, i almost always find things at the show that i have not seen anywhere else. sometimes a special fabric, sometimes a new tool.

some of the best advice i have ever found was "don't buy anything the first time through". that saves a lot of those impulse buys that leave you saying "why did i buy that". if it is meant to be purchased you will gladly make the trip back to buy after you have seen everything.

There is nothing like seeing beautiful quilts in person. Books, magazines, internet can't compete. Seeing them with friends is wonderful, but if you do go alone you will still be among friends... other quilters.

Inspiration... the colors , the methods, all of it ... every last fiber!

I completely agree with Sewnoma, I enjoy going to quilt show alone. None of my close friends quilt.

Ideas, inspiration and Wowed as Marcia D said - but I would also add - to learn and see new techniques, fabrics and gadgets as well!!

I have gone with friends but prefer to roam by myself. Then catch up with my friends later and talk about what we have seen. Love to go to them.

I haven't been to the huge ones yet. I went with my guild to the MidAtlantic a few years ago (Mancuso), and the deal was "be on the bus at 5:00" so I was free to roam and join with others as it pleased me throughout the day. Locally, I'll often take my son along. I go for the inspiration and he tests machines and talks with vendors.

Cheers, K

I go to quilt shows mostly to shop the vendors. I love gadgets. My husband likes to look at the quilts and likes to go with me. I like him there because he talks me into buying things I like. (I'm like a bird-- cheap,cheap, cheap) He even bought me a gorgeaous FW at one.

i prefer to go solo because I can peruse all I want. In March I went to a Mancuso quilt show in NJ with two non-quilting friends and we rushed through there in 1 1/2 hr and then went out for lunch. I will not do that again. I enjoy taking my time looking at the quilts and also seeing what I want to see and stopping at the vendors I want to stop at.

My sentiments exactly. Smaller quilt shows also inspire me more.

I went to the PQIF in Santa Clara this last year and I went both days just to make sure I hadn't missed anything. It worked out well because the hotel I stayed in was right across the street from the convention center and it just happened to be in the Great America (or whatever it's called these days) parking lot. My DH loves roller coasters and I HATE them so he went along with me to Santa Clara and rode all the "scary, horrible" rides all day while I looked at all the "boring" quilts all day, and we were both happy as clams!

They really should put quilt shows near amusement parks more often. LOL!

I second this. Quilt shows aren't just for adding to your stash or to-make-someday list. They fill your soul and rejuvenate your spirit. I feel a simple and wonderful joy to look at beautiful creations and share time and space with fellow quilters.

I also like to attend shows alone, for the reasons others have stated. But - don't discount going with a good friend. I've gone to Paducah once and Houston twice with my friend and blog partner, Cindi. She and I have the perfect arrangement. We are together when we both want to be. We also make sure we have time apart. If one of us wants to wander alone, we split up and nobody's feelings get hurt. This is a rare and wonderful quality to have in a friend, so if you find someone who can do it, treasure them!!

I love going to see the quilts, soak up the ideas, and get inspired. Usually I have only gone for a day, but this year, I am going to an AQS show for all four days alone. I am staying at the convention, taking half day quilting classes and have time to see all the vendors and quilts. I am so excited to learn new things.

I also go for the inspiration and to see all the new gadgets. Different shops purchase different fabrics so going to a show gives me the opportunity to see and purchase fabrics or patterns not available in my area. I generally go with a friend but once we get to the show we split up so we can attend classes, go through vendor mall or browse through the quilts at our own rate. We meet up for lunch and at dinnertime we meet and then spend the evening sharing the events and showing off our purchases.

Don't be afraid to go alone. I live in Houston and go to Quilt Festival for at least 2 days every year. I've gotten to where I prefer to go alone. I like being able to look at what I want, when I want and not have to be on anyone else's time schedule. I find lots of people to talk to if I want to. Everyone is a quilter. They are all willing to give opinions and help if you need it. And everyone is there for their love of quilts.

Very well said.

I went to Paducah for the first time, and I'm still feeling blown away at how much there is to take in. Then there was Hancock's of Paducah. I bought so much fabric, I had to buy a new suitcase to bring it all home. It weighed a whopping 95 pounds. Paying the overweight fee was still cheaper than shipping it all home. I am one happy quilter.

Going to the big shows and conventions are so much FUN! It's not just about shopping - it's about being in the presence of some really amazing artwork. Because our quilts are our art. There are so many details lost in photographs...I love to see the quilts up close and in person...some of the fancier show quilts as well as the everyday utility quilts. Also - there are usually classes offered on techniques that aren't always easily found in books or magazines...some of these famous quilters own rights to their techniques and are the only ones authorized to teach them. Plus it's just fun to walk around and meet hundreds of others who are passionate about quilting just like me!! ;)

I go to enjoy the craftsmanship and works of art. Everyone's quilts are sooo beautiful!!

Just to check out notions. There's lots of stuff I'd rather see in person. I don't bother with the quilts. Most are pretty and well done, but not to my taste.

3 friends & I make a girl's weekend out of it. I love the demos, the vendors & of course the quilts.

I go to the International Quilt Festival in Houston,Texas every year to meet up with friends that I only see once a year; because they live too far away to see very often.

And of course to see the quilts,demos and the vendors. I don't buy much because I have to carry it all day until its time to get back on the bus to go home.
Sharon

This i a really interesting thread and the responses are most interesting. I am like many of you and like to go to these events by myself so I can really soak in things that really impress me. I have been known to go on two days-one with friends because I enjoy my quilting friends and the interaction with them as we go as a group through the halls. Then, I go by myself on a second day and "do it my way". I usually don't tell that I have gone a second time. I love the inspiration of the work of others but I also feel quite encouraged about my own skill level. I know that there are many other quilters whose skill level far exceed mine but I see lots of quilts there that are similar to my skill level and I am encouraged. I love quilt blogs and videos to help me. I am always up for new things. I am not very ofter overtaken by desire for quilt tools that do one thing. I am one who loves these shows.

I go for classes and inspiration. I used to go to Pacific International every year after I started quilting until the year before we moved. I also took some classes when I went to Road 2 Calif after I moved. I hope to go to HMQS and Paducah sometime in the future.

I love looking at the quilts and any new gadgets and fabric. I consider them learning experiences, even if I only see the demos by the vendors as well as looking at some of the quilts.

I go to Quilt show-because I can, I love seeing what is new and seeing the quilts up front and personal, and sometimes I take classes so I can learn something new, and to see the Stars of quilting-Eleanor Burns, Ricky Tims, Alex Anderson, Marie Bostwick who writes a beautiful series books on the Cobblestone Quilt series, check her out I know she won't let you down-the Quilt Museum in Paducah, Kentucky you never get tired of seeing, always something to see and I have a lot of praise in seeing them, and just relaxing at what "Maybe" some day I'll do them with all my Stash before I die

After I went to my first big show I was hooked. It was the San Diego Quilt Show. And It was so fun to see what other people do. Then my sister had me come up to Ontario for the Road to California show - it was bigger and we decided it was better to buy the pass, so we went the first day and looked over all that we could. Went back the second day to see what we over-looked. I do the same thing with the San Diego show now. Usually go with a friend and go back the next day to see what I missed. The shows have gotten so crowded it is easier to go back a second day. Not to mention, it is fun. Also, it gives me a chance to decide if I really want something and not impulse buy, I try to wait to buy something until just before I leave unless it is very light to carry.

I've gone to Vermont and Chicago. We have 2 near us( Lancaster and Hershey) but I go to get away with friends, eat out, look at quilts and buy new products - it's just a great get away. Do you HAVE to? No, but it's great fun!

The inspiration and joy of the quilts, meeting new friends and the fellowship of quilters, viewing new tools, fabrics, and methods, taking classes that are not available at LQS, being awed by everything!

I have the ideal person to go with - my best friend who is also a quilter. While we have some of the same likes, we also differ in many areas. We split up when we go into the show and agree to meet at a certain time, usually for lunch. We each have a list of things we are looking for (sometimes just to see if we really want them) and a copy of each other's list. If we see something that was on the other's list, we give each other a call (love the cell phones!). Or if we see something that is really unique or interesting, we will call. Afterward we have the fun of sharing it all! Ah, heavenly!!

Bless your heart oldpiglady, I know the cold shoulder very well, I'm glad you brushed it off & are going by yourself. I'll bet you enjoy it more spending time as you want it where & with who you want! I hope to go to my very 1st on in Houston this year.