I found that when I went to the show in 2004 that it worked well for me to see the show in the morning, then have lunch, see the vendors at the convention center and this year next door in the temporary building, head to the museum and see that and then call it quits for the day. Today we did the second day the same as I did before when my oldest daughter went with me. Hancocks of Paducah first, then the mall to see the vendors there.
At Hancocks I did find just a little bit of fabric that I wanted for background – I got 2 one yard cuts of a very light pink batik. I mentioned previously that I did not come here with the intention of buying a lot of fabric – I have plenty at home. I wanted to see demonstrations on the vendor floor, and find and see notions and gizmo’s that I had heard about but wanted to see in person.
At Hancocks I did buy two king size quilters dream batting so I would not have to order it for a little bit – I cut these sizes down for smaller quilts and will save one of the batting’s for the big quilt that I made several months ago and will go on the quilting frame later in the year. Over at the mall I found a few more things – “In my opinion” the vendors at the mall were not as good as they had been when I came here in 2004 – this is only my second time here though so maybe that is normal. I think the better companies and stores get the better locations at the convention center (my opinion).
My purchases from today! Almost everything was on my list - I'm pleased that I stuck very close to my list. One thing that wasn't on it was the book "Infinite Feathers" with he template for making feathers for quilting. It is on a list at home for future purchases so it is OK that I saved on the shipping and handling - right! Also not on my list was a package of Mylar circles that I use in my applique - these circles are much larger and many sizes. The thread is silk for applique, the square rulers are 16 1/2 inches and 12 1/2 inches.
I’m pleased that I did so well sticking to my list. The main reason for this list was that when I went in 2004 I was so overwhelmed with all of the vendors that I went a little crazy and bought things that I still have actually not used!! I did not want to do that again.
I will post more when I get home.
April 25th, 2010 at 5:42 am
I think you did great. I have found that I could use some more large square rulers and another sandpaper board myself.
April 25th, 2010 at 7:32 am
A girl can never have enough rulers! Especially if you keep them all readily accessible! I have that book on feathers, it’s great!
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April 25th, 2010 at 7:44 am
Hmmmm that feathers book looks interesting. I may have to get that one
)
Crispy
April 25th, 2010 at 7:58 am
I’m proud of your restraint! LOL. Did you see my friend Cynthia from Iowa Star Quilts?
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April 25th, 2010 at 9:48 am
Karen, Good for you …. making a list and buying from it can save us from storing things we will never use. There is a fabric store in Gastonia, NC called Mary Jo’s. It. Is. Wonderful. People come from many miles around to visit and even stop on the way to or from vacation to shop as it is that great on prices and selection. The first time my friends took me there, I almost hyperventilated. Then I ran around like a nut case grabbing bolts of fabric and having yardage cut from those bolts. I came home with such a hodge podge of fabric that I had to end up buying more so that I would actually have fabrics that would work together and so something could be made out of them. (We now warn all new visitors to definitely take a list of wants/needs and try to stick to it.) Next visit I took a list and did stick to it. You were extremely smart to do that on this trip but then you also learned from experience like I did. Good that you bought extra batts as we always need them if we are making quilts. When I visited there back in the mid 90’s, I also bought a large ruler as they were running a store special on them at the time. You got some nice and useful items.