Quilt shows in the US?

Leigh, I love going to Paducah. It's a relatively small town (pop. approx.

20K). It's not as convenient as Houston to fly in and accommodations are somewhat limited. But I like the small town atmosphere and the friendliness of the 'locals'. I'd love to go to Houston, but the thought of flying into a huge airport and getting where I want to go intimidates me in a large city. You wouldn't have that problem if you are brave enough to travel from Australia. VBG

There are tons of vendors and I think I recall 500 quits at the show plus other smaller quilt shows and displays all over town. Paducah is a 'quilt town'- Caryl Breyer Fallert has her home and studio there and the well-known Hancock's of Paducah is there as well as many other quilt-related attractions. Churches have homemade meals for the quilters at a modest price and there are shuttles to take you around town.

I guess it depends on the 'experience' you are looking for. Paducah suits me and gives me my quilty fix- and I can drive there in less than four hours.

What an exciting time you will have- which ever you choose! (Bronnie could give you her opinion, too, for another viewpoint.)

Leslie & The Furbabies in MO.

Another option might be Malvern in England in May IIRC. Not anywhere near the scale of Houston, but plenty to see.

Isn't there a spr>Hi all,

Early April may be pushing it for you, but.....

Houston's "little sister", the show/classes which were in Chicago for some years, move to Cincinnati next year, from April 8 to April 10 in 2011.

That's (relative to the size of the US) not all that far from Paducah, either....about 300 miles apart, both on the northern border of Kentucky.

--pig

Thanks Leslie. That sure sounds like experience enough! In fact, I like the idea of the whole town being one big quilty thing. And of course I've heard of Hancock's of Paducah. Silly me!

The smaller town sounds good too. I don't know yet if I will even go or, if I do, whether it would be alone or not. I'm just tossing some ideas around at the moment. I did figure though that if my DH could travel to China for a week last year to see a total solar eclipse (and then see nothing because it was cloudy!), then I should be able to look into going to the US for a quilt show. At least I know I'll get to see it rain, hail or shine. :-)

Thanks for your help.

Thanks Rhoda. I'm getting more convinced of the idea all the time now. Oh, and you haven't seen MY passport photo. I wouldn't let me into the country with that. :-)

Hi Roberta,

Hmm, now that is something to think about. Looked up where that is. I have relatives in Cheltenham and near Stratford-Upon-Avon so I'm sure they wouldn't mind me coming to say hi.

There seems to have been a show in April in Chicago this year, although a bit too early for me, but I can't see one listed for next year.

More to think about. Thanks for your help.

Ah, that's why I couldn't find it in Chicago next year! Yes, that is too early unfortunately.

Thanks for your help.

Here's a great place for information. Mancuso handles many of the large shows.

Leigh, the Knoxville Tennessee AQS show will be July 13-16, 2011. I tried to put a link in this message, but it doesn't work. You can google, though, to find our more information about it. It's not as large as Paducah or Houston, but is a nice one!

rusty

Hi Leigh I'm with Leslie and others recommending Paducah. I went there solo from Qld in 2005 and had an wonderful experience I will never forget. It is such a lovely thing to have the whole town involved. You'll find that as soon as your Aussie accent is detected, people will respond with offers of friendship and kindness. I was blown away by that. The church dinners were amazing. I'd love to go back, so maybe '11 or '12 might be it. Keep in touch and closer to the time we can chat. Paducah is a 'bit' difficult to fly into, I flew to Austin Texas as I had quilty friends there, then flew Austin - Memphis - Paducah. Small planes etc. Paducah airport was a bit like Hobart 40 years ago! Or Coolangatta for that matter! I think solo travelling for Paducah. Houston is a large city and would be more fun with a pal or two. Keep us posted and who knows, we could hook up together!

Bronnie

Thanks Alice.

Thanks Rusty. I'd seen that one on the site and it could be an alternative as the timing would fit. More to think about. :-)

Thanks Bronnie. That's some excellent information.

I think I've decided that I will definitely look into going to Paducah. Now I have to see what sort of money it will cost me and if I can do it or not. I'll certainly let you know if it's on.

Hmm, excited now. :-) Thanks everyone for your great help!

quilts.com gives you the dates of their shows, which includes Houston, and "Houston West" in Long Beach, CA

G> Hi all,

I loved my trip to Paducah. I went with Leslie; and we met KJ, Bronnie, Rusty, Musicmaker, and a friend of MM. I think I have forgotten someone? So sorry, if so (my brain is addled at the moment). I would recommend most definitely going to the museum. It isn't far - nothing is! - and it is just marvellous.

The one thing I would say is to get your accommodation booked as soon as you have definitely decided. I thought a year ahead would be oceans of time - it wasn't. That is, if you want to stay in or very near the town itself. If you can stay within the range of the shuttle bus that would be most helpful to you. It covers all the major hotels and various other spots. So, if you are thinking 2011, get online right now.

Oh, I flew to St Louis, MO.

You could also look into companies that arrange 'tours'. You would find it easier to get accommodation with them, as many of the hotels are block booked by them. You can check those out online, or in a quilting magazine. Mine are still packed or I'd look one out for you.

It is a life-enhancing experience. I even took a couple of classes (booked online).

Thanks Leslie! . In message , Leigh Harris writes

In 2011, the show in Long Beach will be July 29-31. Would love to meet up with you if you come to this one. This year is the 3rd year it is in Long Beach and I am looking forward to going!!!

Debbi in SO CA

G> quilts.com gives you the dates of their shows, which includes Houston,

On Sat, 8 May 2010 05:22:37 -0500, Leigh Harris wrote (in article ):

I've never been to Houston, but the Paducah show is wonderful. Paducah is lovely in the spring and a very nice, small town. The people are friendly. Quilts are always breathtaking (and in MHO a nice mix of traditional and art quilts), and I really enjoy the opportunity to take classes.

Maureen

On Sat, 8 May 2010 08:00:19 -0500, Roberta wrote (in article ):

Yes, IQF has done a show in Chicago, usually the week before the Paducah show. I haven't personally been, because it is so close to Paducah and I usually go there.

However, I get the feeling it's not as big as Paducah. People I know who have gone have usually just spent a day.

Of course, Chicago would be a lot more convenient to fly into than Paducah. I'm not sure, but I think the closest airports of any size to Paducah are in St. Louis and Memphis.

Maureen