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.
Long Arm Quilt Machines
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.
AQS Quilt Week 2014
Grand Rapids, MI
Free Giveaway: Hummingbird Highway
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)
Brother Accessories
Quilted Memories: Decorator Tape
Quilted Memories
Montague, MI
Bits ‘N Pieces: Doll House and Dolls
Bit ‘N Pieces
Wayne, MI
Custom Quilts Unlimited: Owl Quilt and Backing, Color catcher, 1/2 yd Kona Black (gifted to my sis), 1/2 yd Quilting Temptations
Custom Quilts Unlimited
Fennville, MI
Nancy J’s Fabrics: 8 Fat Quarters
Nancy J’s Fabrics
Wabash, IN
Sew Batik and Wood Valley Designs: Individual Batiks and Batik Bundle
Sew Batik
Mayville, ND
Wood Valley Designs
Carmel, IN
Back Door Quilts: Sunshine, Lollipops & Rainbows pattern
Back Door Quilts
Greenwood, IN
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)
The Christmas Shoppe
Richmond, NH
The Christmas Shoppe
Richmond, NH
A Very Special Collection: Paper Piecing patterns
A Very Special Collection
Yorktown, VA
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
Field of Fabrics
West Michigan
Field of Fabrics
West Michigan
Quilted in Clay: Pin by Jennifer Patterson
Quilted in Clay
Jennifer Patterson
A very special birthday present from my friend, Shirley.
Special Birthday Gifts
After show purchases from Pressing Matters in Holland
Pressing Matters
Holland, MI
