Margo wrote:
Yes, I LOVELOVELOVE Google Chrome. Of course, the translation is still broken enough that I feel I'm struggling w/ Portuguese. Or the German when I went to my new friend, Claudia Pfeil's, site.

If you need to translate the link you can do it in the Google Chrome browser! Just click on the little wrench (upper right corner) then click on:
OPTIONS>Under The Hood>Translate
Then click on the box to enable the site to: Offer to translate pages that aren't in a language I read

Then, when you visit a web site that is not in your native language an option box will come up and offer to translate it.

Is that cool or what!!

Margo wrote:
What fun you found that Margo!! Looks good, Miss Learner.

Here is the link to the show. There is a list of exhibitors! http://www.brazilpatchworkshow.com.br/index.html

Does the show have a website up? Maybe there is a schedule listed and a vendor list. That will give you a frame of reference for how large it might be. I've been to the IQF in Chicago that needed over 2 days (couldn't do all the vendors in one day, even!) and then the Milwaukee show that took all of 2 hrs to see the quilts AND the vendors. I was sure they just didn't list all the vendors that would be there. No, they had. LOL!!

Good point, Margo had on asking about photos. I about passed out when the friend I took to the local show in May took a photo in a booth and hadn't bought anything. If I am buying something, I'll ask about a photo if I want to capture the kit or idea better. Most shows allow photos of the quilts in the show. Vendors are more strict.

Learning-As-I-Go wrote:
Absolutely take a small notebook or at least a sheet of paper and pen! I also like to collect business cards of booths that I would like to check out on-line when I get home for later orders.

As for your camera, be sure to ask the vendors if it's OK to take photos in their booth. Some allow photos and some do not, but all appreciate being asked.
Also check for signs about photography in the quilt area. Again, sometimes it's OK and sometimes not.
Be courteous and mindful of others trying to take photos, and hopefully they will too!

Some shows do not allow rolling carts, so see if you can find out ahead of time. Some large shows provide a complimentary tote bag with your entry fee, otherwise it's a good idea to take your own. I also try to only carry essentials to minimize weight. For instance, just my wallet (emptied of heavy coins!) not the whole purse. In fact, some people just try to carry a credit card and cash tucked into their name-tag holder!

Take some photos of things that you know will be of interest to your son, and promise him that he can be the official photographer when he's old enough to go! You might be surprised at what he chooses to shoot and how long he will stay interested!

If you are seeing the show with someone, take your cell phones so that you can easily find each other!

Have a wonderful time and give us a report when you get home!

Margo wrote:
Thanks, Margo. That makes a lot of sense. I just know I'll be overwhelmed with what's available, but hopefully it will be a manageable size show. Would you advise then that a take a small notebook so I can jot down item/booth number/price on my initial walk-around and then use that to comparison shop?

Other than that, good shoes, snacks/water, what else should I plan to take with me?? (well, and the money to spend of course!) A tote bag for carrying my purhcases?? (or a rolling cart, LOL!) Anything else?

My 10 yr old is disappointed as the show is not allowing kids under 12 to attend; he sews with me and wants to go. I'm not terribly disappointed to go without him but will probably take lots of photos and buy him something as well.

As for making purchases when you see them, or coming back later, I think it depends on the size of the venue. For a small show, I usually make purchases as I go. For a larger show, I'll often make a note of the vendor's booth number and info about what I'm interested in. That way I can return if I don't find the item cheaper in another booth!

PosyP wrote:
Well, I have projects in mind, so that's a good thought to focus my shopping on those ideas rather than letting new ideas take over while there. Good point!

Will take my own snacks and things, not wasting time is a very good reason for that!!

Oh, now I read the rest and you say "or keep your mind open to the possibilities..." -- you are a dangerous one, aren't you?! LOL!

I'm sure I won't come away empty handed, and I will try and focus first on the project ideas I already have floating around my head, and on buying things that I can't find at my local quilt shops (either b/c they don't have it or I don't know how to ask for it in Portuguese, LOL!). And then if I have money left over I'll buy the things for whatever that open mind gets me into!

It's not until November, so I have plenty of time to save up money and get some of my projects closer to done so I don't feel so many UFOs looming over me, LOL! That should help if I find a kit or something I just really need.

idaho wrote:

A very dear friend gifted me with Jinny Beyer's book (drool!! it's gorgeous!!) so I have that on my shelf. The piecing tool, yes, that's a good thing to get. Super cool ruler, and my dear friend machine quilts so wouldn't have known about it That's okay, I won't hold it against her (hi, she-quilts!) LOL!

I have to confess I've not yet *quilted* by hand except on a tiny set of coasters and a few small things (kindle covers, business card keeper, etc.) so not sure I'll stick with that once I get that far, but I do enjoy hand piecing and will likely keep that up for a while. The portability is so nice!! Hand quilting....not sure. I'm not there yet on any of my projects so we'll see what I think when I eventually get there. My problem is having more ideas running around my head than what I have time to do. I think a sewing machine would surely speed me up, unless I ever get as fast as Ms. Beyer!! no where near that fast yet.

she-quilts wrote:
Will try to get by without the credit card Hopefully.

I think more people probably hand piece here than in the US as machines are so very outrageously expensive here. So, hopefully I'll find some. We'll see. I hadn't thought there might be demos!! That would be very cool. I'll look.

Camera? Check. Walking shoes? Check. Money to spend? Check. Sweater? Hopefully not an issue, LOL! Doubtful that the building will have A/C and if it does, it won't be like in the US where you come in from a summer day and need to put on a winter coat to stay warm. LOL!

Snacks? Check. I can bring my own, I think, and if there are vendors they won't be pricey. Just not the norm here, to raise prices terribly at things like this.

Kits.....(sigh).....because I don't have nearly enough UFOs already, LOL! Yes, I'm sure I'll see some I need. Not want, need! LOL!

So -- is the rule of thumb to look first, then go back and buy or just buy it when you see it? Or depends on how large the vendor hall is?? thoughts?? (from you or anyone...?)

makesgeese wrote:

Oooh, good tips on what to notice as I look at the quilts. I can see becoming overwhelmed, too. Will definitely only take the money I can afford to spend -- I'm saving now for it so I have plenty! Hopefully prices will be decent and not overly inflated on international goods. I can get pretty good local fabrics, and I'm hoping that the show, though it will have international vendors, will have good prices (normal US prices, not inflated "imported from the US" prices....). We'll see!

idaho wrote:
heehee

Your US shopper didn't know about the tool. Sounds good!

I agree with everything that Joyce says, with the comment that the other advantage of taking your own pack-up is that you don't waste time in the queues at the concession vendors. As to buying stuff, take what you can afford to spare for your hobby, and either have a pre-planned project in mind to help concentrate your looking or just open your mind to all the possibilities that you see. Sometimes you don't know that you need 'stuff' until you actually see it at a show, because you haven't seen it anywhere else, that said you don't actually have to buy anything (go wash my mouth out) but I defy you to come away completely empty-handed.