So my final thoughts on Road…

It took me awhile to get this up and next week it’s already QuiltCon.  But I wanted to get this in here before I forget.  I kind of want a refresher when I start looking at classes in July.

First, I enjoy shows and I love taking classes.

I hope I can make this an annual event for me.  I debate between Road and PIQF every year.  I don’t think I could afford to do both and I want the consistency of attending the same one year after year.  Well, I believe QuiltCon West will be in Pasadena every other years so maybe I can go to PIQF the years we don’t have QuiltCon. I’ll have to check if my budget will allow me to do this but I definitely want to do Road every year.

Here are some guidelines for next year:

#1- Definitely staying at a hotel near the area is a must.  I enjoyed not to having to drive back and forth each day.  I enjoyed the feeling of community with the other ladies staying.  This year I stayed at Ontario Inn and Suites.  it’s not within walking distance of the convention center but it’s only about 1-2 miles.  So it’s a fraction of the cost of the hotels closer to the show.  I still have to pay for parking but between hotel and parking, it’s still cheaper than staying anywhere closer.

#2- Ask anyone at my guilds if they want to go too, we could share a room and/or carpool.

#3- Once I’m parked at the show, Uber to and fro if I need to. For example on Thursday, my class schedule was classes in the morning, a long break, and then an evening class.  I had to leave the show to check in at the hotel, and then get back to the show for the evening class.  That meant I paid twice for parking.  I thought about Ubering from the hotel to the evening class but I’m not familiar with the area and whether there would be an uber nearby at 10 at night.  I didn’t want to risk it.  Afterward, I figured I could have left my car at the show Ubered to the hotel to check in and a short nap and then Ubered it back to the show before the evening class.  Well, I would have to get the fare estimate to see if that method would be cheaper or if paying twice for parking would be cheaper.  But it’s an idea.

#4- Stash a cooler in the car.  We can’t bring outside food into the convention center but I could always leave and eat in the car.  This would save me a ton of money I’d rather spend on quilty stuff.  I know, there were still ladies who brought outside food inside and I guess I could do that.  We’ll see if I have the gumption to do that when the time comes.

#5- Take technique classes, not necessarily project classes. I enjoy taking classes but I don’t want UFOs.  So, I look for techniques I want to learn.  Register early for classes!

#6- Take classes where I can try different long arm machines .. this year, I tried the HQ Avante this year and would like to try others next year.  I don’t know if I’ll be in a position to seriously buy one next year but I’d like to do my research.