The AQS Quilt Week was held at the DeVos Place Convention Center in Grand Rapids, Michigan from August 20-23, 2014. This is the first large-scale quilt show that I have attended since venturing into the world of quilting just three years ago. In addition to the numerous quilt exhibits, there were a lot of different vendors. Quilt shops~online and brick & mortar, sewing machine manufacturers, long arm quilt machine dealers and much, much more. Since I am in the market for a long arm quilt machine, this was the perfect opportunity to try all the machines. My two favorite brands of all that I tried were: Handi Quilter and APQS.
We spent two grueling days (August 20 & 21) pounding the pavement and I was glad we attended early. The selections were much better and the crowds were smaller. Parking was right across the street for $12/day. Two single-day passes to the show was $20.16 for AQS members. AQS membership is $25/year which includes an AQS pin, 6 issues of the AQS magazine, member discounts and a 10% discount at JoAnn Fabrics. They offered great lunch stations (Hamburgers, Mexican, Chinese, Soup and Salad, BBQ and desserts) if you didn’t want to venture from the convention center. A tote bag and t-shirt were $32 which included the pin free. While you are allowed to take pictures of quilts for your own enjoyment, you are prohibited from posting pictures. My favorite exhibits were: The Exquisite Quilts of Michigan’s Own Aileen R. O’Toole Stannis, Modern Quilt Challenge, Quilted in Honor, Ultimate Guild Challenge and AQS Authors’ Exhibit.
Free Giveaway: Hummingbird Highway
Some of the wonderful purchases I made.
Brother Accessories for XR1355 sewing machine: (25% show discount)
1/4″ foot, walking foot and guide (Set of three gifted to my Sis)
2 – guides (one for me and one for daughter)
Quilted Memories: Decorator Tape
Bits ‘N Pieces: Doll House and Dolls
Custom Quilts Unlimited: Owl Quilt and Backing, Color catcher, 1/2 yd Kona Black (gifted to my sis), 1/2 yd Quilting Temptations
Nancy J’s Fabrics: 8 Fat Quarters
Sew Batik and Wood Valley Designs: Individual Batiks and Batik Bundle
Back Door Quilts: Sunshine, Lollipops & Rainbows pattern
The Christmas Shoppe: Amy Bradley’s Garden Quilt pattern, Clover 1 3/4″ Y0-Y0 Maker (shown above) and 7 – 1/2 yard fabric (1 gifted to my Sis)
A Very Special Collection: Paper Piecing patterns
Fields of Fabric: 4 yards Backing for MI Row by Row Quilt, 2 sets of fabric for pillowcases (1 set not shown gifted to my Sis), MSU fabrics
Quilted in Clay: Pin by Jennifer Patterson
A very special birthday present from my friend, Shirley.
After show purchases from Pressing Matters in Holland