Festival of Quilts anyone?

[Artura]

Going on Saturday... Sooooo excited. Day out without DDs. A whole day of fabric based loveliness. Anyone else going this week? What are you looking forward to?

Me! I'm going tomorrow! I plan to make a bee line for the long arm quilters so I can drool, haven't got the money or the space, but I can dream.

And I am going try not to buy too much fabric... it's not like I need more fabric...

Me. I'm going Sunday and have booked on the Map Fragments workshop that was full last year.

I'm going to try not to buy too many precuts but always give in! Am looking forward to seeing Tim Holtz Eclectic Elements range at Cotton Patch.

You must post your "must see" tips, mothership. I always get a bit giddy when I get there and there is so much to see, I might need a pre-fest plan.

Me too!! I am off tomorrow and cannot wait, been looking forward to it since January much to DH's amusement.

Have spent this evening rotary cutting fabric to kid myself that I'm using up my stash, so I can buy lots more on Sat. So lovely to hear others excited about it, got some v strange looks from colleagues at work today when I told them about my weekend plans!

Will do! Artura I plan to look at long arms before it gets too busy (I hope!) Then look at rotary cutters and mats, I 'need' new ones, meet up with my cousin for lunch and then be amazed by the exhibited quilts. Notice no mention of fabric....ha! Who am I kidding.

Funny We should wear green carnations or something so we can spot each other

Oooh it was fab!

Sorry Mothership I would have liked that but I spent all morning cleaning the house so I could fawn over my goods when I got home without feeling guilty about the ironing pile that I didn't see your post until now.

I was good and managed to resist the urge to buy more fabric as we are moving house next week and DH has already been a bit about my stash - little does he know I am waiting to pack the rest up when he's out at the weekend so he doesn't see the full extent off it .

It seemed bigger to me than last years and I met Stuart from the GBSB!!!

Mothership Did you find any good offers on rotary cutters and mats?

Right, I'm back in the smoke so here's my report/tips....

Tip 1 - Don't miss the ruddy turnoff for the NEC and spend 30 mins trying to get off motorways and back to where you were! Argh!

Picture attached is my personal favourite in the show. I love storm-at-sea quilts, I have loads on my pinterest board but haven't made one yet. Overall the show felt a little 'modern/art' heavy for me, but some amazing work on display.

Funny I am seriously impressed at your restraint not sure even a house move would have stopped me, but I think I did pretty well myself, the only fabric I bought was a couple of half meters of some Kaffe Fasset fabric that Doughty's had for £10/m, definitely the best price for his stuff there. No specific plans for it just could resist.

Actually there was so much gorgeous fabric there that it helped restrain me because I'd have been hard pushed to make any kind of decision! I may have left a trail of drool all round the whole place!

Warm & Natural are giving free 34x45in sample packs of wadding in exchange for your email, there was a queue so it might be a good idea to do that early. (You could always leave an incorrect email if you are worried about spam.)

crafty in the end I got a True Cut rotary blade sharpener from the Quilted Bear stand, it was the same price as they are on amazon but at least I saved the postage. I didn't find any cutting mat bargains, they are definitely cheaper on Amazon.

Loads of different long arm quilting systems on display, many more that the last time I went, I think it was 4 years ago. I shouldn't really have looked because it made me a bit sad, if I pay £136/month for the next 3 years I could get a Sweet Sixteen but I really can't justify spending £4,000 on a hobby. Think I'll go and buy a lottery ticket....

I arrived just after 10 and had to leave just after 3 to avoid traffic but I really could have done with another hour or so.

Looking forward to hearing what the rest of you think.

Here's a pic of my purchases...

I forgot about the bargain black/white fat quarter, only £1.50 from Tudor Rose Patchwork, how easy it is to minimise fabric purchases.

The pink thing was just a couple of quid and it's for poking out corners and making creases and just looked handy.

The Machingers are for free motion quilting, my old ones are getting a bit worn.

I take it you would recommend the machingers? I get tempted a lot but haven't actually bought any yet.

I wouldn't fmq without gloves and a super slider, they both really help. My old gloves are a different make but heavier so I'm looking forward to seeing how they compare. They came highly recommended by the cotton patch team who all use them.

Getting bag ready (nearly empty, to fill with stuff I don't need and will prob not get round to using). Excited about being able to sit on a train and read, without children interrupting, nearly as much as a day of crafty stuff. Hope the stalls haven't been emptied by the time I get there, was everywhere well stocked?

Artura I bet they'll be loads of last day of show specials! Are you after anything in particular?

Phew, on my way home now. Got there for opening time as knew I'd have to be heading off early. Stash includes:-
Trouser pattern and lovely, lovely fabrics from the eternal maker,
Jelly roll and pattern from the quilt room,
Some vilene quickscreen (triangle and square) - as a beginner am a sucker for anything that makes it look easy.
Some ridiculously expensive curved embroidery scissors from wright and sons,
An easy loop turner, Hera marker and a measuring gauge (love a bit of habadashery).
And some nice dark denim to make trousers out of.

So that should be enough to keep me occupied for at least 2 years... Or the next fest of quilts.

Really loved the mini quilts and inspired to try and make one myself. As usual blown away with the sheer number of incredibly beautiful and complex quilts.

And remembered not to buy any more sashiko kits as already have 2 waiting to be finished!

Sounds like a good haul Artura

I like a bit of Sashiko too, I thought there was quite a bit there this year. Do you have the Susan Brisco book? it's really good.

This is my Sashiko koi

That is a fab carp, Mothership! I've made a couple of cushion covers but they're too covered with mucky handprints to show at the moment. On a trip to japan a few years ago, my sister and I stumbled upon an amazing sashiko shop in a small village and spent the rest of our trip obsessively stitching the kits we picked up there. Very simple but relaxing to do. Yes I do have her book, as usual, if I had more time, I'd love to do some more.

By the way, are any of you members of the Quilters Guild? I am a beginner quilter, but wondering if the guild might be worth joining, or is it all a bit too traditional?

Hi. I've been to the Festival of Quilts today. I had a lovely day wandering around buying fabric and I did a dyeing workshop. I'm mnetting while I wait for it to be ready to rinse.

I'm also a beginner, Artura but am a member of the Guild. There are lots of interesting things going on and members often get a discount in shops.

I've been today too. I bought far too much fabric, having had a fairly crap couple of weeks at work. Did the map fragments workshop.

I got most of what I wanted though - quilting gloves, labels, bottomline thread, rotary blades and an Eclectic Elements layer cake.

Then numerous panels, charm packs and a thermofax kit.

Wrt the quilters guild, I think it depends on your area as some have more on than others. I found there wasn't much on near me at a time that suited me so didn't renew.