This is an enormous event with classes, shows and vendors. I attended two of the one-needle (cheapest) classes, which were helpful and interesting. One was on tailoring (mostly using fusibles for quick results), and the other was a sleeve and armhole class with Connie Crawford.
There were hundreds of vendors, mostly skewed toward quilting, but there were still a fair number of apparel-sewing booths. Vogue Fabrics was there with lots of great deals on silks, cottons, and other high-quality fabric.
A word of warning to the young--the crowd was mostly middle-aged-to-elderly sewers. I saw only a couple of other people under forty among the thousands who were there. That's not to say that I didn't have fun; I learned a lot and enjoyed the shopping. Just be aware that that this is a slow-movin', embellished-sweatshirt-wearin', quiltin' kind of crowd.
Be sure to get the famous Fisher scones on your way in or out of the expo hall, and wear comfortable shoes. I only went for one day, and I feel like I covered the offerings adequately.
Go with a friend or relative for the most fun. I went with my Mom and we had a great time together. |
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Be sure to check out some of the free fashion shows next time - on the Free Stage in the main vendor hall and upstairs in the other building. That is my favorite part of the show. For fabric, I love checking the Vogue booth many times because they bring in more fabric all the time from their semi truck, also Billie's and Marcy Tilton's booths. There are also more fashion fabric vendors but these are my favorites. I saw some younger men there with girlfriends that were very interested in the fashion shows. Too much quilting stuff for my taste but there is plenty to keep you mesmerized for several days.
3/14/12 11:43 AM
There's definitely heaps of quilting vendors. I wish they had more apparel sewing booths. The workshops last year were great.
3/14/12 8:54 PM
I also wish they had more apparel sewing booths - I do quilt but have my favorite local stores for that. I didn't sign up for any classes, but did attend several free fashion shows. And I did notice the age of most of the attendees - I guess I am one of them, but "young at heart"
3/22/12 4:35 PM
How many days did you go? What hotel did you stay? I really want to go next year.
6/28/12 9:35 PM
I want to attend next year or the year after. It seems I would fit in the crowd just fine, even without the embellished sweaters and all. I am in the slow-moving theme when it comes to quilts and sewing. I would need to find someone to go with, as it does not sound like much fun going alone.
7/5/12 12:10 PM