Crispy_Frog

With many of our like getting older, I see more walkers and scooters at the Houston show. The problem then is really, the aisles aren't large enough and the booths are hard to navigate for everyone. If they would just allow more room all around for traffic flow, it would be more enjoyable. I do love the show and I am patient. You have to be. I like to look at new and interesting notions. Like you've already said, the fabric is readily available elsewhere.

puma

I must admit I go for the vendors. I want to see what tricks they have that are new. I couldn't care less about the quilts. I don't even look at them. I never purchase fabric. just whatever I see they have that's new a new foot, ruler trick. that's me

Honben

My husband and I use to take vacations every year . He would go to horse tracks with the guys while I went to Quilt shows with the girls . My husband passed away last year and my lupus has gotten worse. Just thankful the Lord wakes me up another day so I can sew again. But to make a long story short you should get out and see them shows while you can. You never know long you are going to be able to.

PatPitter

I've never been to a big national quilt show. Maybe one day. I have enjoyed the local quilt shows I've attended. It's inspiring to see other people's work. I was going to attend a large local quilt show a few weeks ago but we had a death in the family

There is a Sewing Expo near me every spring. I often look at going but have never justified the cost to go see mainly vendors.

karenpatrick

I like to go just to get some inspiration and it's a lovely day out with friends from my quilt group, The Fiber Therapy Group.

peaceandjoy

I have been spoiled by the Genesee Valley Quilt Show in Rochester every June. Hundreds of quilts, and LOTS of vendors. I also enjoy smaller shows put on by guilds, and if they are within a couple of hours' drive will go.

Went to the Philadelphia show a couple of years ago with friends, we were all terribly disappointed in how few quilts were shown. There were lots of good vendors, though.

A couple of weeks ago, I went on a bus trip hosted by NY Quilter's Consortium to the show in Toronto. Yikes! Every quilt and vendor could easily be seen in a half a day. We left Friday AM, had the afternoon @ the show, overnight, then another half day at the show. When loading the bus for the 2nd day, it was decided that we would leave the show at 2:30 rather than 4 PM as originally planned as everyone felt that we had already seen what there was to see.

That said - it is always fun to spend time with friends seeing quilts and what is for sale, some new and unique, some not.

I agree with Onebyone - if you are going to go, enjoy and let others enjoy, don't complain and gripe about everything!

An 8 day trip via bus? Not sure I could handle that... A couple of friends and I have tossed about the idea of going to Paducah, but would almost certainly fly, so it would be pricey. I just retired (literally, left work for the last time this afternoon!) but DH has not retired and has no desire to do so. If it fits in my budget, I'll go.

bearisgray

I am getting to the point where walking and/or standing for long periods gets to be painful. I wish there were more places to rest at some of these shows.

I know that sitting around space is not profitable for the people that put on the venue - but the longer I stay, the better the chance that I will spend some money.

cashs_mom

That is an excellent point, Honben. I'm so sorry about your husband and your Lupus. Bless you.

sinceresissy

I like going to quilt shows but I haven't been to that many. I mostly go to local shows. I have never bought anything I the shows. I have been tempted but I just can't seem to make up my mind about buying something. I went to the recent Kansas City show and was shocked at the price of the ticket. I had been going to this show for several years and didn't think the ticket price was so high - $17.00. Maybe it was and I just forgot but that was a shocker. I loved the show and I loved looking at all the quilts and I like looking to see what the vendors have to sell. There was one vendor that had some special marking templates and I was tempted to buy but didn't. Oh yes, I did buy an elephant template for a future baby quilt. I liked that there were hand quilts on display too.

sinceresissy

Also there were lots of chairs to sit in and I sat quite frequently.