The National Quilt Championships UK

[ANNE E.]

Last Friday I went to Sandown Park to The National Quilt Championships.
I have been going for many years and it used to be a wonderful show, now it just seems to get smaller and smaller with less traders.
It's probably because The Festival of Quilts has taken over and that is a wonderful show, unfortunately a lot of quilters are not able to make it to the F O Q in Birmingham and the N Q C is the only one we are able to get to.
It is such a shame, even this year I noticed less traders and not so many people, usually you can hardly move at these shows but on Friday when I went and today when a friend went there weren't so many people there and no queueing.
At this rate it will hardly be worth going and to call it the NATIONAL QUILT CHAMPIONSHIPS seems a misnomer
Did anyone else from the UK go? and if so what did you think of it?
Anne

[ANNE E.]

Much too far away for me in Yorkshire unfortunately, so I cannot help.

[Rita C.]

I wonder if it is the economy that is affecting the number of vendors and attendees Anne? I have noticed the same thing with the Knitting and Stitching Show here in Dublin over the past few years. And we really only have the one big show once a year! Is that Sandown Park the racecourse in Surrey? It's hard to believe that they would not have enough interest in that part of the UK? But did you enjoy the show anyway? It must have been nice to not have to elbow your way through the crowds. :lol:

[ANNE E.]

Hi Rita,
Yes I did enjoy the show and of course I did spend some money .
It was nice to be able to get near the stands but I missed a stand selling Steam-a-seam :x my friend who went Sunday bought some, I don't know if it was old stock and if so whether it will still stick properly.
I think the problem with the shows is that it is so expensive to hire space also if the traders also have shops they have to have extra staff.
Well I have had my little rant.....I shall still go next year.
I am going to ask my Daughter if she will take me to the F O Q at Birmingham, it would only be for the day though as she would have to take a day off work.
Hope you are enjoying the sunshine
Anne