Houston Quilt Festival, the quilt show of all quilt shows, here in the USA. Are you going to attend this year? In this post I’m sharing 21 tips to get the most out of your time at the show.

Why I’m qualified

Hi, I’m Mary Beth Krapil, Handi Quilter National Educator. This year will be my 17^th visit to Quilt Festival in Houston. It is an astounding show. I love the magic atmosphere of all the happy creative quilters soaking in inspiration and gathering supplies for their next projects. I’ll share some things I’ve learned that will help make your experience better.

If this is your first time to visit the show I guarantee you will be overwhelmed. So it’s best to get yourself prepared so you can really enjoy the experience. So let’s dive in!

Tips for your trip to Houston Quilt Festival

Things to do now

1. Check out the show’s website HERE

This is where you’ll find information about the venue location, hours, class offerings, admission, contests, vendors, safety, and more.

2. Review the Event Schedule

Review the festival schedule in advance. There will be lectures, workshops, and demonstrations that require pre-registration. Make a list of your must-see events. Some might require tickets or reservations. This can help you plan your time.

3. Buy your tickets

Avoid standing in line by purchasing your tickets online. You can do that HERE.

• • Note: If you are enrolling in classes, your enrollment fee includes full admission to the show, with early entry at 5 pm on Preview Night, along with a pin and a program. You do NOT need to purchase additional tickets.

4. Sign up for a class

Shows are a great place to learn the latest techniques from the experts. Handi Quilter is proud to sponsor hands-on longarm classrooms at many major shows throughout the country and the world. At the Houston Quilt Festival, we provide Amara 20 movable stand up longarm machines and Amara ST stationary, sit-down longarm machines for students to use during class. It’s a great opportunity to really get to know a machine!  The class line-up can be found HERE. For questions on the enrollment process, email enrollment@quilts.com or call 1-877-578-4587. For questions on all educational offerings, faculty, or supply lists, contact Jill Benge, Manager of Education, at jillb@quilts.com.

5. Book Accommodation Early

Choose a hotel as close to the festival venue as possible to minimize travel time. The George R. Brown Convention Center is the location. Book your accommodation well in advance as hotels fill up quickly for the festival. Actually, most places take reservations for the following year soon after Festival is over. It is important to plan way ahead!

Look into alternative accommodations such as Air B&B’s. If you are coming with a group of friends, this is a fun way to save a little money and enjoy each other’s company by renting a house together. Make it a retreat/quilt show extravaganza!

6. Plan Transportation

• Parking: If you’re driving, check for parking options around the convention center. The close parking fills early in the day. Be sure to get there early or expect to have a bit of a walk.
• Shuttles: Some close-by hotels offer shuttles to and from the Convention Center. It might be worth paying a little more to stay at one of those places.
• Public Transit: There is plenty of parking near the George R Brown but it is expensive. Consider using public transportation or rideshare services to avoid the hassle of parking.

Come Prepared!

Here are some things to gather and some things to think about closer to the time of the show.

7. Comfortable walking shoes

These are a must. You will add quite a large number to that step counter! Forget about fashion. Get some shoes that will make you comfortable even when standing for longer periods of time than usual. A lot of options here to help you find the perfect fit.

8. Dress in layers

The temperature at shows can never be predicted, it might be very chilly or it might be very warm or somewhere in between. It is always good to have a sweater or light jacket, just in case.

9. Be ready for crowds

Quilters come from all over the world to the Houston Quilt Festival! It’s important to know there will be long lines for food and restrooms. Don’t wait til the last minute! Plan to eat early for shorter lines and not be disappointed that your favorite food has sold out. Reservations are a must for dinner.

Insider tip: shhhh! Don’t tell everyone this, but the lines for the restroom are usually shorter where the quilts are on display.

10. Bring a tote

Do you have a roomy bag that is comfortable to carry? That’s the perfect thing for carting all the treasures you will find at the vendors.

Another insider tip: The first booth you want to hit is the Handi Quilter booth. We give away fabulous tote bags, large enough to hold a king-sized quilt, every day of the show. Come early, they go fast! A Handi Quilter bag is the height of fashion at Houston Quilt Festival!

11. Budget

Speaking of vendors, you will find an amazing number of vendors at the show. Houston is the place where many companies introduce their new products. Plan in advance to have enough to cover your admission, meals and lots of fun purchases. Get ready to shop with these tips:

• Study the show book map of vendors to find the things that interest you most. Carry it with you and make notes on the map when you find interesting things. Lots of quilters will walk through the vendors once first, making notes on the things they might want to purchase. Then they will decide what they really want and go back to those booths. But if you find something totally new and can’t live without, buy it right away because those things tend to sell out quickly.

12. Camera

You will want to take photos of the quilts that inspire you. Maybe you love the color palette, or the piecing or appliqué, or the QUILTING! You’ll want to add those ideas to your inspiration stash.  If you use your phone as your camera, be sure it is charged and you have room for lots of new pictures.

• Fun tip: before walking the floor, go up to the 2^nd floor and look through the porthole windows. You’ll get a birdseye view of the show floor. Be sure to take a selfie!

13. Taking a class?

A notebook and pen are a must. Be sure to check the supply list for your class to be sure you have all the items you’ll need.

14. Hydration and Snacks

You’ve got to stay hydrated and keep up your energy. Chocolate is my recommendation.

15. Time

Give yourself the gift of enough time to fully enjoy all the show has to offer. This might mean planning to come to the show for more than just a day. Houston Quilt Festival is so big it is humanly impossible to see it all in a day. You’ll also want to plan your strategy. Will you spend the entire day looking at the quilts? Or split your time with some jaw-dropping quilt viewing in the morning and some retail therapy after lunch?

• • Quilts If you’re hoping for some quilty inspiration you will not be disappointed. Houston Quilt Festival offers so many quilts on display!
    • There are the Contest Quilts, those entered in the annual judged competition. The best-of-the-best quilters are represented in this juried show. You are sure to be amazed. The winning quilts are displayed at the front right as you enter. You might even get lucky and be there when the quilt maker is standing by their quilt. You can ask all your questions and find out their secrets!
    • Special Exhibits  are curated collections of quilts with a theme. Check out the special exhibits offered this year HERE . You might see some that especially interest you. Make a list!
  • Vendors If shopping is your jam, budget lots of time for exploring the vendor floor. Just about everything a quilter could want and more! Jewelry, massaging pillows, unique clothing will all be offered, along with all the fabric, thread, patterns, tools, and notions you can imagine. Take your time to explore and maybe discover something you didn’t know you needed.

16. Take Breaks

Find a spot to sit and relax when you need a break. It’s easy to get overwhelmed by the sheer volume of things to see and do. Take some breaks in your day to rest your legs and feet. Food vendors are available next to the vendor area on the show floor as well as several restaurants in the George R Brown Convention center. There is a Starbucks on the 2^nd floor.

• Open Studios™ is a unique area on the show floor where teachers discuss and demonstrate their projects/lessons/process/creativity  with four sessions going on simultaneously in two-hour slots. Access to Open Studios™ for Festival goers is free. Sessions will run from 10 am-6 pm from Oct. 31-November 2, and 10 am-2 pm on November 3. This is a great opportunity to rest and learn at the same time!

Absolute MUST Do’s:

17. Stop by the HQ booth and say “hello”!

We love to talk with quilters. I’ll be there and would love to meet you. Not part of the family yet? Give a machine a test drive!

18. Meet Other Quilters

Engage with fellow attendees and exhibitors. Networking is a great way to learn new tips and make new friends. Don’t be shy—strike up conversations with fellow quilters. You’ll enrich your experience ten-fold.

19. Document Your Experience

• • Social Media: Share your experiences on social media and tag  @handiquilter and @quiltfestival. It’s a fun way to connect with others who are attending.

• • Notes: Take notes on what you’ve learned or seen to help you remember the details later. Your phone is a quick and easy place to keep those bits of info you’ll want to remember when you get home.

20. Follow the Festival on Social Media

Check out the festival’s social media pages for updates, sneak peeks, and tips from other attendees. Facebook and Instagram.

Most important!

12. Have Fun

Enjoy the experience, and don’t be afraid to be inspired and get creative! Take all the sights and sounds and colors and ideas home with you and incorporate them into your quilts.

And while you’re waiting to go, Quilt Every Day!

by Mary Beth Krapil