I went to the Original Sewing and Quilt Show in Lakeland, FL on Thursday, March 17. I never saw so many mostly middle-aged ladies in my life. It was a sea of women crowding around and spending. I spent too! Much more than I should.
Here is a list of their Spring events this year:
Chicago, IL Schaumburg Convention Center March 22, 23 & 24, 2012
Cleveland, OH I-X Center March 29, 30 & 31, 2012
New England (Worcester, MA) DCU Center April 12, 13 & 14, 2012
I left off Atlanta and Lakeland as they are pretty much history.
I have not been able to go to a sewing show in about 8-9 years since Orlando was cut out of the Martha Pullen show circuit. This Original Sewing and Quilt Show has been in the Tampa area for the last decade I think, and at about 100 miles from home, that's a bit far for me. But the Lakeland location was 66.3 miles from my house, and I cheerfully drove down by myself, since I couldn't find anyone I know who sews and had the day free.
I was a bit surprised to have to pay $7. to park, I mean Lakeland is kind of the hinterland, but it was only $10 to get in, so I was appeased. There were signs saying no outside food, so I kept my morning iced tea from McDonald's in my purse; it lasted my all day!!
There were intriguing fashion fabrics available, but I have pledged to shop mostly in my stash, unless I see something at JoAnn's in the Red Tag Fabrics when they are 50% off, or one of those three dollar five yard bolts at the last Walmart in the area that sells fabric.
I bought a few garment patterns, and attended a few shows. I did NOT take any of the classes, as I arrived at noon, the show closed at 6:00 pm, and I didn't really see anything that I could take in those hours. Many of the classes were sold out as well.
I was surprised to see that June Colburn is almost a local vendor; she lives in the Tampa bay area. I bought some intriguing bleach/paint stuff from her. It's supposed to both bleach and color natural fibered fabrics. Her web site is not so inspiring though; http://www.junecolburn.com/. It does not include these paints or many nice photos of her beautiful work. I think I already have all the patterns she has designed for Simplicity; nice art-to-wear oriental looks.
Vendor whose work I enjoyed: Londa's Creative Threads. She had the nicest modified sweatshirts I have ever seen. And she has strong opinions about them as well. I attended her show. http://www.londas-sewing.com/ I don't have any modified sweatshirt jackets, yet in the winter I live in sweatshirt hoodies. They are warm and comfy. I have three sweatshirts in mostly theoretic stages of modification.
I also bought a set of those universal feet for installing trim from Creative Feet. I watched the demo at the booth before, I've seen them before, and I bit. They were pretty pricey; I probably should have held off on these. I bought the whole megilla; feet, book, DVD, thread, glue, and so on. http://www.creativefeet.com/
Vendors I was surprised not to see: Dos de Tejas, Park Bench Patterns, and no-one selling Sewing Workshop Patterns. I've seen these at shows before.
I bought a bit from various other vendors. The one I didn't buy from was someone selling tsukineko fabric ink. I had already bought the bleach paint from June Colburn, the creative feet, the kit from Londa, and I was feeling the guilty pinch. But I was intrigued. There were also vendors selling aftermarket embroidery machine designs that resonated strongly to me, wonderful designs, but since I have no embroidery machine, I just passed on them. Koi Fish and Dragon flies at one of them. Mmmm.
I will certainly go to this show next year if it is in Lakeland again.
NANCY IN ORLANDO |
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I was there as well. Apparently they are planning to move the Tampa venue to Lakeland permanently. I agree about Londa's sweatshirts..beautifully artistic without being artsy-craftsy. I drive from Jax, and plan to attend every year.
3/22/11 9:38 AM