Hi anyone going to the International Quilt Festival in Houston?
http://www.quilts.com/newHome/shows/...e=FallFestival

Yes and I am so looking forward to it

I am going, I live here in Houston and have never been, this will be my first year and I am excited.

Yes, my quilt buddy and I book our trip last night. First time I've been to a festival other than Mid-Atlantic. So, Looking forward to it.

this will be my third. I think this year I am going to take some classes

I am flying in on the 2nd. I am taking 4 classes. It's my 1st time to go and am getting really excited. I've been on the website checking out all the vendors. I've been rat holing money for months so that I'll have extra to spend.

Yep, I'm going. Made arrangements to ride a bus

I am but I haven't decided on how to get there yet.

has anyone ever taken the "super fast binding and piping" class?

You betcha, I never miss it ! Lucky to be only 30 min away :)

Hope to go next year!!!

me too, I live just south of houston

yes I am going and this will be my first time. I am so excited. There are 5 RV's we are traveling with and all the women are quilters and we all are going for the first time. What should we expect? Are there deals and in what? fabric, machines, books, patterns???

wouldn't miss it

You'll love it !! We've been going for more than 20 yrs. The deals vary, but there is everything under the sun for quilting. All the major machine dealers are there and longarms too. Antique quilts, notions, threads, wools and rug hooking too etc You will shop til you drop, but don't miss the quilt exhibits ! You need several days to see it all. They have package checks for $1 which I highly recommend. :)

Wear comfortable tennis shoes, you will be walking on concrete floor. Bring a bag to put your goodies in. DO NOT bring a purse. You need your credit card, drivers license, checks, glasses (if you need them), phone. Travel light. I used to wear a fanny pack, but don't do that anymore either. Too much trouble when you have to potty. I take a tote my niece made me. It has a zipper pouch inside. Last year I wore a pedometer. We walked 6 miles in one day. So be prepared. And Have a great time. See ya there!!

Good advice & I believe the 6 miles ! I've learned to ONLY take a tote and use a little cross-body mini-bag just big enough for my phone, cash & cards. Good idea to bring a bottle of water and snacks. They have a food court for lunch, but we always take CHOCOLATE to keep us going ! Don't forget your camera & some Advil :)

Yes, I will be there. I live in the Houston area but this year for the first time I will stay in a hotel near the George R. Brown convention center where it is held. It is a wonderful show and people fly in from all over the world to attend.

well I'm all signed up for my classes, "Super Fast Binding & Piping" on Monday AM, "Paintstik Inspiration" on Tuesday AM & "Free Motion Quilting" on Friday PM

Yes! Yes! Yes! We should all put some type of quilted square/circular pin/tag on our shirts that we are QBs so we can meet while we enjoy all of the shows, vendors, etc. Maybe it can say "ARE YOU A QB? I AM!!!" I think I'll try to work something up! Look for me at the show!

Second year for me and my quilting buddy. We live about an hour away and drive in just for one day. To do that we have to take a personal day off from work. Oh well!

We didn't know what we were looking at last year, but this time we have a little more experience under our belts.

Parking was the biggest problem. Someone has mentioned valet parking. Definately going to check on that.

I've been looking to see if there were shuttles from the outlying areas or valet also, I'm taking classes 3 days and we're going to the "show" on Saturday. Patty and I last year made 4 x4 nametags? with QB and then our Board Name and then our real names

My friend was called and informed that she won a cash prize on her quilt and she asked me to go with her. It is the first time for both of us and we are so excited. We have our plane tickets, hotel room, etc. We can hardly wait.

you need to let us know which is her quilt, so we can go look at it

You REALLY need to come and stay overnight so you can go back a second day ! You need 2 days to shop and see all the quilt exhibits. Come on Fri and stay over for Sat. There are a lot of hotels in the Galleria or SW/W Houston areas that are much more affordable than the downtown hotels.
As far as I know there aren't any shuttles to the show from outlying areas, unless LQS have ones going ? :)

I am hoping to get to go, have never been, but I absolutely hate Houston traffic! :thumbdown:
And it is a 4 hour drive for me, used to do it a lot, but haven't in a number of years, so not so sure I will make it.

Debs & Hemi

Yes, I am going down on Wednesday and returning late Friday.

My friend's name is Paulette Landers and the quilt is called Jubilation. It's an abstract bird with a lot of lime green and deep rose or purple and peach. We are looking forward to which prize she won on it.
VernaL

Staying over - I'm not sure we're quite ready for that. Not taking any classes. Can look pretty fast. Limited budget for spending. Perfectly happy to do the one day. When I'm ready to stay I have many options. My mother and my daughter live in Houston and would be more than willing to have us stay - and my husband would make a great chauffer.

Last year we really didn't know what we were looking at. Maybe this year we'll feel more knowledgable. Then next year?? Maybe shop till we drop!

AND ... we're going on Friday so if we decide we just haven't seen enough - we'll find a way to stay.

I wouldn't miss it!

Yes, there are shuttles- the city of Houston runs regular buses from alot of the park and ride stations- you can check it out on the Quilt Festival website.

I went the last three years and am stil on the fence about this year. If I go, maybe I'll hitch a ride with Zipit. LOL. It's a great show to attend. SO big. Last year they broke the record for number of attendees. Made it the biggest conference they had there. Yeah quilters....

Yes, I'll be there. Wednesday is Preview night. Took me 2 1/2 days to get through all the vendors and then had 1/2 day to see all the beautiful quilts.

When is this?

I will be working in the Handi Quilter booth. Come and say hi!

Wednesday evening, Nov. 2 through Sunday Nov. 6.

Darn I was hoping for a late Nov. date so I could attend. We plan to be in the Houston area probably after Thanksgiving. Thanks for the answer.

You'll love it. Wear your most comfortable walking shoes. :-)

Plan to come some year. You will love it!

yes cant wait. I be going the 11. time and is always fascinating to look at all the quilts and then realizing I will never be that good.But well love the shopping