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Make Your Time at a Quilt Show
Fun and Educational
By Stephanie Stemmler
A first-time attendee at the "World's Fair"of quilt shows, the International Quilt Festival in Houston, finds a wide array of exhibits, vendors and classes.
There I was in aisle 1400, sitting on the floor in front of the Mill Hill Beads cross-stitch display, and it hit me--total panic. Should I choose the small holiday kit to cross-stitch or go for the wreath pattern on the wall, which meant I'd have to buy a myriad of bead packages to even begin it? I just couldn't decide. After pacing back and forth for almost 20 minutes, my sister mercifully pulled me off the floor with a simple mandate: "Let's go eat lunch." It was the second or third time she pulled me away from a booth to collect my thoughts.
So it went during my first trip to the International Quilt Festival/Houston. I had stopped at fusible applique demonstrations by Bear Thread Designs, tried my hand at longarm quilting, and tested both the Handi-Quilter and the Easy Quilter. I cut out Thangles, marveled at display quilts, watched machine binding, bought a "strips n' curves" template set from quilter/author Louisa Smith, and was tempted by all claims to make my quilting and sewing easier and faster.
Often called the "World's Fair of quilt shows, " Festival lived up to its reputation for having something for everyone. I was continually overwhelmed by the wide variety of products available and the latest techniques that were demonstrated. Row upon row of vendors sold everything from fabric and tote bags to jewelry and beads. There were tools to try, books to browse, batting and thread to examine, and fabric of every shade and color to buy. There were quilts fully made, quilt patterns, and complete kits with fabrics already chosen for the pattern. All told, it was enough to make my feet and credit card tired.
I, of course, had read up on the quilt festival ever since I took my first quilting class in St. Louis, Missouri, in early 2003. My sister, Jane, and a good friend had both talked about quilts for some time. Jane had even given me a flannel quilt kit for Christmas, so I was eager to try my own hand at making one. In a matter of weeks, I was hooked and wanted to know more. I started buying quilt magazines and books and soon began thinking about attending the International Quilt Festival.
The IQF offers attendees an excellent opportunity to learn more about this creative art form. I was dutifully warned to bring a camera, wear comfortable shoes, and reflect upon the true meaning of the phrase "six miles of vendor booths and exhibits. " To enhance the experience, I signed up for two classes. There were hundreds of program choices throughout Festival, including lectures, demonstrations, fashion shows, and off-site tours to quilt shops.
Arriving early for my first class, I glimpsed the show floor. Final preparations were being made for the opening of the exhibits and vendor aisles and the place was buzzing with activity. The quilts on display near the entrance were magnificent. I picked up my badge and complimentary tote bag and pin (which I understood later to be a much-coveted prize for pre-registering) and set out to learn how to "bind quilts the professional way. " Three hours later, I was thrilled to pick up a new technique from teacher Laura Heine. After a leisurely lunch with some friends from St. Louis, I headed to my first-ever applique class. Imagine my surprise to find out that I had come all the way to Houston to take a class from an extraordinary teacher who lived just a few miles from my home, Suzanne Marshall. Her Take-Away Applique class was fun and informative. Just looking at Suzanne's quilts hanging in the classroom made my mouth drop. She had bright, colorful frogs and other designs that made me eager to learn her technique. During the class, I met other people who taught me how to rapidly tie a knot in my quilting thread and who laughed with me as several of us successfully translated a right-handed stitch technique into left-handed use.
When the classes were over, I made my way to the convention hall doors to await the 5 pm start of preview night. Hundreds of people were on hand, ready to wade through the aisles for the two-hour shopping and viewing opportunity before Festival was officially opened to the general public. I hatched an elementary plan--start in the first row, move rapidly through the show, and see most of the vendors before heading home by 9 pm. That way I could save the next day solely for the quilt exhibits. Stopping only briefly for a quick dinner on the third floor of the convention center, my sister and I had only made it through half of the vendor aisles before we decided to call it quits.
The next day, with our feet still recovering from the first shopping blitz, we tackled the rest of the show. The exhibits were nothing short of inspirational. I was brought to a standstill many times to gaze in awe at the quilts on display. Along with the major prizewinners were journal quilts, landscape designs, Baltimore Album quilts, and contemporary fiber arts, clothing, and dolls. Many times, I paused to take a close look at quilts so exquisitely made that they seemed from afar to be painted instead of sewn. Upon reading some of the descriptions, I was calculating in my head how long it would take me to sew together 21,000 pieces of fabric; my beginning talent was far below what it would take to even think up the designs, let alone machine piece or hand sew them.
I went away from Festival excited and full of ideas and energy to enhance my own skills. Within days of returning to St. Louis, I was expanding upon my just-learned applique techniques and gleefully looking at the beginnings of a pattern and fabric stash. If only I had purchased all of the batik fabrics I had seen! Oh well, there's always next year.
Here is my advice to other first-timers to Festival:
Take classes. You'll learn something new, no matter what your skill level. Also, taking a class gives you perks--a complimentary tote bag, the coveted pin, and the opportunity to shop and view exhibits before Festival officially opens.
Register early. Classes fill up fast. I heard many stories of people not getting into their first or even second choices. So sign up within a couple of weeks of getting your class catalog. You can also try to sign up at the last minute. The IQF maintains a bulletin board with classes still open or for sale by other participants.
Bring extra fabric to classes. If you're taking a class on a new technique, you may want to think about bringing a little extra fabric in case a mistake is made (yes, I did cut something incorrectly but luckily brought extra fabric). And make sure you double check that you have all the other supplies requested by your teacher.
Wear comfortable shoes. This was a tip on everyone's list and it was so true. Make sure to bring comfortable shoes because you will be on your feet for a long time. Festival does rent small scooters and wheelchairs to use on the show floor, but it can be a bit tricky getting around the large crowds, so you'll have to be patient.
Bring a camera. Always ask vendors first before taking pictures and watch for signs within the exhibits where photographs are not allowed. I liked my sister's tip the best: if you buy a kit, ask the vendor for permission to take pictures of the finished project on display. The picture typically provided inside the kit may not be as clear as you'd like and your own photo will help spark your memory when you get home, especially in regard to embellishments on the displays.
Dress in layers. Some classes were hot and some were cold. Bring a sweater or light jacket that you can tie around your waist or stuff in a bag when it's not being worn.
Note vendor booth numbers and return to make your purchase. If you're like me, you might not want to buy something right away. Take a business card or flyer and note the booth number and product you're interested in. Store all business cards and flyers in the same place for easy reference as you plan your purchases.
Don't follow the previous rule when buying fabric. Fabric is such a unique purchase that if you see a fat quarter, panel, or bolt you especially like, get it. It may be gone before you come back. Also, it's hard to make specific notations regarding fabric. Patterns aside, there were literally hundreds of blue batiks that intrigued me and I had no way of knowing how to distinguish between them all! I ended up by noting the overall quality of fabric within a booth and then deciding if I wanted to browse and purchase.
Don't forget to have fun. Festival can be overwhelming, so take time to make new friends and enjoy the spectacle of the entire show. Find seats where you can and stop for periodic breaks. And get someone to take pictures of you and your friends so that you have personal photos from your experience!
Stephanie Stemmler of Eureka, Missouri, is looking forward to her next visit to International Quilt Festival.
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