I went to the Expo Saturday. First of all, a lot of credit to Janet Pray for the unending work and effort she puts into this show. I cannot imagine the hours it takes to pull something of this magnitude together.
That being said, the best part of the day was spending time with my friend, Jan. We took a class called "Free Form Knit and Crochet Handbag". First of all, our "classroom" was once again, a draped-off section in a large room, where other classes were being held. That is never a good situation. You cannot hear the instructor because of the background noise of the other classes and the noise on the floor. I am sure that Kenneth King, Koos and Sandra Betzina had their own private, soundproof rooms. Again, the situation would be about cost.
The instructor was not organized. She was tired and hungry. In addition to the class fee, we paid $35 for a kit fee that consisted of a few tiny balls of scrap yarn and a piece of plastic canvas.
I didn't go to the show last year because my husband was recovering from open-heart surgery at that time. I thought that after missing a year that the vendor floor would have changed and there would be something new and exciting. Nope! The only thing different was there were less vendors. Not surprising, due to the economy. The cost for them to travel, hotels, food, paying their employees way and wages plus the cost of the space they rent has to be huge.
I saw the same, tired things I saw two years ago. If I saw one more quilted jacket I would scream! Same for sweatshirt jackets. Batiks. The bright spot was Vogue fabrics and Habermans with some gorgeous pieces. PR was there, but I didn't stop at their booth. I bought nothing.
Still, it was a good day. A day to talk and laugh with a friend.
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4 days ago
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I felt this same way about the vendors I saw at the ASG convention two years ago. Seriously, is the demand that high for sweatshirt jackets?! I guess so.
Sorry for your disappointment. I would be upset too. I glad you were able to have little bit of fun with friends in spite of everything else.
Sometimes a day with a friend is priceless no matter where you are or what you do. So, I'm glad your day wasn't a total loss. Too bad that the class wasn't better, though. If you're going to pay for something you expect to get something out of it!
I didn't know people were still making sweatshirt jackets.
I was at ASG with Lindsay, and like she said, disappointing. I want fabric vendors, lots of them for the next time I attend a expo.
Just think you saved your money for another purchase that will be great. A day out is always good, especially with a good friend.
Yeah, I have to agree, the show didn't have the same vibe as previous years. I didn't buy much either (not because I didn't want to), but do wish they'd fix the classroom issue. Betzina's microphone was ridiculously terrible and the classrooms were packed full. On one hand, I'm thrilled to see an overflowing parking lot and packed classes, but on the other I would appreciate the organizers categorizing the sales floor into quilting vs. non-quilting.
My daughter and I went to the NW Quilting Expo last week and decided that we probably won't be going again next year. After paying to park, paying to get in, nothing jumped out at either of us. We saw some beautiful quilts-some we've seen before-some great vendors but there was nothing we couldn't live without. I bought a gift and that was all. I had a great day with my DD and I did come home inspired to spend time with my sewing machine. So it wasn't a bad day at all.
Know how you feel about the Batiks! I'm not wild about them myself, and I understand others are. But enough is enough! I'm tired of seeing them!
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