Sewing Expo Minneapolis 2017 Recap (Part 2)!
This past weekend I attended the Original Sewing Expo in Minneapolis. This was my 3rd year in a row attending, and I was underwhelmed compared to the previous years. I was completely overwhelmed my first year since I had barely started quilting and didn't know anything about sewing. Last year, I could only attend one of the days but I remember enjoying it a lot.
So what was so underwhelming this year? The lack of vendors! Usually I find so many interesting things and see more vendors at the show and this year, it seemed like a lot of vendors didn't come. The classes were still pretty split between garments, serger, embroidery, and quilting classes. You can find the recap of the Thursday classes here.
The one shining point for the expo, the Threads of Resistance quilt show. Lots of "do not photograph" signs up, so you will need to check out the site to see the artwork. It was really great to see some of the quilts, but I know there were mixed emotions with the crowd. There were definitely a few ladies that I was by that did not appreciate the beautiful protesting artwork.
I took a diamonds and triangles class with Diane Tomlinson and really solidified my Y-seams capability. We used the Fons and Porter Diamond and Triangle ruler. It's completely opened a new set of designs and patterns for me to make! My fabric choices were scrap fabrics from backings of other quilts. I never know what to do with them, so I brought them to play with! It makes my star look very Halloween-ish with the slight pop of orange.
I also took a free motion class from Frieda Anderson where she stressed PRACTICE PRACTICE PRACTICE! I can definitely see improvements from years past. I still need to work on being less linear with my free motion. I tend to go in one direction and have troubles turning to fill in spaces. Hopefully that comes with more practice!
A couple of super fun things I purchased from the show include a Juki Serger! Yes, I bought another serger! It's pretty incredible. I took it home set it up, and it just works. I need to bring out all those serging projects that I've stashed away now!
I also bought two Fons and Porter Design Walls
So next year, the Sewing Expo looks like it is not making a stop in Minneapolis. Even though I was a bit underwhelmed this year, I'm still really sad. Houston Quilt Market and Quilt Show is a week later next year and pushes into this show's timeline too. The event planners mentioned that they will be coming back within the next 12-18 months and are looking for a new larger location. I can only hope the Quilt Show gets larger and more vendors come. Hopefully having the event in the Spring will be better than near the end of the year. Fingers crossed!
What fun quilt shows do you go to?
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I love reading recaps of conventions! Thanks for sharing. I also noticed a dropoff of vendors from my local Original Quilting & Sewing Expo from last year (not that last year was well attended, either) and they’re also not coming to Schaumburg next year. I think maybe the reason is it’s just a bit divided … a lot of quilters don’t make garments, nor the other way around, and having a show be devoted to both means it’s not super good for either one. I’m sad to see it’s not coming back to Schaumburg, and from what you reported, the downward trend for the show is not just for Schaumburg.
I noticed it wasn’t going back to Schaumburg too. That’s pretty sad. They did tell us that it’s coming back to Minneapolis since it’s been coming here every year since 1996! I know that the audience is pretty split garments/quilters, but I think it makes me think about if I want to try garment classes or something. Maybe one day 😉