First Time to Market

[Betty J.]

Hi everyone! I'm hoping that you guys might have some words of wisdom for me.

I get to goto Quilt Market in Kansas City this year! I'm super excited. It's my first time going to Market and I've ALWAYS wanted to go. I'm trying to figure out how long to go for. I know that Schoolhouse is on Thursday and then the show itself runs from Friday through Sunday. I'm really just going to look around and experience Market - plus I'll be taking photos for my husband, who's writing about the show for a local publication.

I'm driving to KC from St. Louis, so I'm trying to plan how long I should stay. I know everyone says that Market is enormous and it's hard to see everything. Can it be done in one day, or do I really need two (or three?!?) days. I have two little ones at home, so I'm trying to minimize my time away - but this is probably the only time I'll ever goto Market, so I want to do it properly!

I would value your opinion!

Callie

[Barbara B.]

Callie, you will have a wonderful time at Market--it is a quilter's dream!

My advice: comfortable shoes is #1! Then, be sure you go to Schoolhouse--there is so much to be inspired by there--all the newest products, ideas, fabrics, etc. That is day #1.

Day #2: Market opens and you will continue to be inspired. Peruse the catalog ahead of time to be sure you get to each vendor you must visit. It is lkely they will be all over the show floor. I highlight my map, in the catalog, with places I must go, and put a sticky note on the front cover of those places in numerical order. That way I am sure to see those. And I don't have to walk down the entire aisle from booth # 603 to #645, when I see that I also want to see #707--on the next aisle over from #603--I hope that makes sense. If you walk up and down each aisle you'll wear out long before you see it all so plan your "tour".

One day on the show floor is possible but not as good as two days. It's a big show and there is so much to see and absorb. And then there are the quilt displays--that alone can take many hours.

And my biggest advice: talk to other people there. I always choose to sit at lunch at a full table of people I don't know and ask them "what did you find"" "What is not to be missed?", etc. I talk to people while waiting in lines--they may have found a treasure you would have passed over if you only go to the booths you expected or "planned" to visit.

Be sure to always ask permission BEFORE taking any photos--some vendors will absolutely not allow it and that is their right. Others will allow photos and will thank you for asking.

You will have a wonderful time and will be very tired at the end of the day. Drink water and take a sit-down break before you are totally out of it. That may buy you a few more hours on the show floor. Again, sit down near people and talk to them.

Report back when you're home--going to Market is the dream of a lot of quilters and they will enjoy it vicariously through you.

Barbara

[Margo C.]

Thanks Barbara! I knew you would have great words of wisdom about this!!

[Margo C.]

Thank you, Barbara! This is fantastic information. I really appreciate you taking the time to reply to my post.

[Annis C.]

Callie, I went to Quilt Market in Houston for the first time in 2009 with a group from a local quilt shop. It was also my first time to go to festival that year. I did a few Schoolhouses and walked the aisles every day, plus I took time to look at the quilts too. It was truly a quilter's dream, something that I had been wanting to do for years but had to wait for the right time. Barbara had lots of good advice. I wanted to visit all of the booths so I walked up and down every aisle, taking note of booths I wanted to revisit. Take plenty of spending money and a bag for all the goodies you will be given. I emptied my bag into my suitcase each day so I could refill it. I also spent time visiting at some of the booths. It wasn't as crowded as festival so the vendors weren't always busy.

[Annis C.]

This may be a silly question - but remember that this is my first time going to Market! Is there actually stuff to purchase? I always thought that the vendors were just showing off new stuff that quilt shops could order - but do some of them sell products also? I've heard about Sample Spree (sounds wonderful and crazy!), but I wasn't sure if things would also be for sale on the show floor.

I had my birthday last week, but told my husband to skip any presents so that I could have spending money at Market and Paducah!

Thank you, everyone, for sharing your experiences! Quilters are the best!

[Annis C.]

Yes, some of the booths have things to purchase. And the Schoolhouses are sometimes for the purpose of selling products.

[Lois B.]

I thought Market was only for quilt shop owners. I want to learn more. There is a Market in Houston near time of the festival, right? And soon there will be one in Kansas City. I gather they are yearly, or semi-anually. Maybe Houston is Fall and Kansas City is Spring? Are there others? What are school houses? Lois

[Annis C.]

Anyone who has a quilting business can go to market. I chose to go with a local quilt shop that I do business with instead of on my own. I've only done a few Schoolhouses and they were mainly to demonstrate new products. The Fall one is always in Houston. The Spring one changes locations every year.