Nammie to 7

Houston expenses would depend on if you want to take classes. Check the website, read the class booklet, and decide what you want to do. There are a huge number of vendors, a beautiful quilt show and many, many things to do and see. I've been there 3 times in the last 6 years and will probably go again. You can take classes from teachers who are internationally known, rub shoulders with quilt winners and just have a wonderful time. Never been to Paducah but am thinking of going next year. I know it will be a totally different experience as the number of classes offered is considerably fewer, things are more spread out - Houston Quilt Show is all contained in the convention center. I don't think you would regret it - especially since you have a year to decide what experiences you want to have and save for them

mike'sgirl

You can spend as little or as much as you like, but the show in Houston is so worth the admission price. If you stay away from the vendors and just look at quilts it can still take you all weekend, there are that many quilts! But of course you have to go see all the vendors and just drool. Let yourself have some fun money ( 50-100) and enjoy yourself. Also, take your own lunch, go out on the patio, and enjoy the time to get off your feet. I loved the Houston show, but never had a lot of money to spend. It didn't really matter to me.

NikkiLu

My DD lives in Paducah (5 hours away from me) and I went to my first quilt show there 3 years ago. I did not really know what to expect. But I am SO GLAD that I went and have gone back 2 times since the first show. Yes, it is spread out more than it sounds like in Houston - so, if you don't have a car rental, then you probably better pick the Houston show. The quality of the quilts is so beyond my ability that I came home sort of depressed. My quilts are made to be used - the ones in the show are "works of art" and not made to be used but to be hung up on a wall. And like the above poster, there are very few "bargains" to be purchased at the vendor's alley. But, so much fun to see what all is new. I was amazed at all of the fat quarters this year for sale - guess it is easier for a vendor to bring a box full of fat quarters than to lug around full bolts and then to have room enough to cut them for the customers. So, if you are looking for "food" fabric, or animal fabric, or whatever theme that you need, you will find it at a big quilt show that has lots of vendors. I would give myself a good two or three days to "see it all". You just cannot do it all in one day. HTH

Jan in VA

In my opinion here are the reasons for you to give serious consideration to attending Houston:
1. A free place to stay
2. Someone else who could drive you to the George Brown Convention Center in downtown Houston so there'd be no parking or valet fees.
3. A home base so you could pack and take a lunch with you...the cafes can be expensive as they are operated by the Center, not the show promoters.
4. You could go for more than one day. One day, even two days, is not really enough time to actually see everything.
5. Houston is the original, grandmama of all the shows that came after and is still attended by up to 60,000 people each year.
6. When again will you have another opportunity to see a show with *hundreds* of amazing quilts and literally HUNDREDS of vendors?!
7. Every year many new tools, machines, books, patterns, and fabric lines/manufacturers are premiered at this show. You'll see many things here for the first time.
8. Most of the vendors now take credit cards so that you do not have to carry cash thru the throngs of show goers.
9. You can arrange to meet other QBees who will be attending the show by checking on the communication boards on the upper floors of the Center.
10. The weather is *usually* pleasant enough in Houston at this time of year to avoid dealing with a heavy coat at the show, but there are places to check your possessions on the upper floors.
11. When you are old you only regret the things you didn't do or missed! Go!

Jan in VA

Anniedeb

I really want to go. My friend is also a quilter...(way out of my league!!!)....she has walls and walls of fabric!! She has turned out some stunning quilts! I've learned a lot from her, and I know it would be fantastic. Guess I better start saving my pennies!! The good thing is it's the weekend before deer hunting, so it would not interfere with longstanding family traditions!!

Jan in VA

Anniedeb,
I'll bet your friend is the quilter she is BECAUSE she lives in Texas where there is *such* a huge quilting culture!! She will know the ropes and you will have a fantastic time at this show of shows! Wish I were going with you in your back pocket, sigh.

Jan in VA

chiaraquilts

Oh, go if it is at all possible! I traveled from MA, spent money for a fancy hotel room, etc. so yeah for me it was pricey. Take time seeing all the quilts, it is really too much to take in all at once. It was amazing to see so many quilts, of every type imaginable.

I was there for a week, took GREAT classes and the vendors are wonderful. I did not buy much, (flying limits that!) but just to see all the new stuff and try out machines, etc, is awesome. And Houston itself is a really nice city, it was my first time in TX and I really enjoyed it. My niece lives there and was able to show me around, which was great.

I plan to go again in 2 or 3 years, I learned so much and had such a great time. You can spend as much or as little as you want. The classes were no more expensive than those at my LQS, with nationally known teachers. I would bring lunch, the food offerings were very limited IMHO, and not for those who are at all concerned with healthy eating!

Boston1954

I went to a show near Boston one time. It was held in a hockey rink. Where the ice would have been were hundreds of quilts, and the ENTIRE second floor had vendors. Wow!! But even that, I am sure, does not compare to Houston. GO!!! You will not regret it. I wish I had the $$ to get there.

Lori S

Saving the cost of hotel is a big deal. Shop around for a good Airfare and GO!!!! There are a few big shows , and if you have never been , its a trip you will not forget! I live in the Chicago area and the same organizers for Houston host the Chicago show in June. We had it here for 6 years , and my family used to fly in from all over just to attend. The first year one member did not come , and all we talked about was the show when ever we all got together. THe next year she came , and saw what all the fuss was about. We rejoiced when it was announced it was coming back this year .. and yup everyone booked flights... So GO! I can't wait to hear about your experience !

Peckish

The big ticket items that you have to pay for are airfare, hotel, car rental if you're not within walking distance of the convention center, and meals. If you can use points for airfare and have a friend in Houston, that will help.

Shopping the vendors is optional, so you can control your costs there. Same for any classes.

I went last October with a friend and we spent 5 days, which was the perfect amount of time. The convention center is HUGE, and seeing so many quilts at once was overwhelming. We'd go look at the quilts in the morning, then go back to our hotel (2 blocks away) for lunch, then sit by the pool for an hour or so, then go back to the show. We wandered around downtown and tried a few restaurants, found a bookstore, returned to the show, etc. It was amazing how many quilts we saw on the third or fourth day that neither one of us remembered seeing before. It was nice to have 5 days, we really felt we got to see and study all the quilts.