The Sewing Place

Festival of Quilts 2021 - better, worse or just different?

twopence

Re: FESTIVAL OF QUILTS 2021.... Tickets
« Reply #15 on: May 21, 2021, 14:28:35 PM »
I am also hesitant about going to a big show as yet even with the additional hall and reduced numbers but we also have a lot of things going on at the moment. DD1, who normally comes with me is currently off work. Fortunately she has private health and is seeing a specialist - actually seeing a doctor face to face :faints:, so I’m not sure she’d be up to coming.

FIL has deteriorated rather quickly and so much attention is discussed in Norfolk on him and MIL. On top of that we’re looking for a house to move to and that could quick or slow depending on what we want coming into the market.

My animal quilt has been finished and hanging in the wardrobe since last year.

StitchinTime

Re: FESTIVAL OF QUILTS 2021.... Tickets
« Reply #16 on: May 21, 2021, 14:55:30 PM »
No Im afraid not ..... what you can read is what we've got, as far as Im aware ... there seems to be a lack of ethusiasm for all things Darkside recently.  :(

Now, now, @Iminei - things are not that bad in the Darkside. Entries are coming in for May Mini Marvels and people are signing up for the Boom organised by @RJR_38.

With regards to Festival of Quilts, after all the uncertainty and restrictions with regards to shops, eating out, events etc over the past year, I think it is to be expected that people might prefer to wait until nearer the time before committing to tickets, travel and hotels. I’ll probably see what things are like at the start of July and decide then whether to go or not.

Pearl

Re: FESTIVAL OF QUILTS 2021.... Tickets
« Reply #17 on: May 21, 2021, 16:22:53 PM »
No Im afraid not ..... what you can read is what we've got, as far as Im aware ... there seems to be a lack of ethusiasm for all things Darkside recently.  :(

I would love to go.  I know I will be very unhappy at home knowing people are at FoQ.  I have been every year since I started quilting.  Sadly, my knees are not up for a day at the NEC.   :(

Iminei

Re: FESTIVAL OF QUILTS 2021.... Tickets
« Reply #18 on: May 21, 2021, 17:21:33 PM »
My knees are going too, which is odd as Ive never had a problem in the past.

I fell in a most spectacular way last week and have been feeling it ever since ... annoyingly there was a small red mark on me knee and that was it, no bruise, no graze, no blood but blooming painful!
The Imperfect Perfectionist sews again

RJR_38

Re: FESTIVAL OF QUILTS 2021.... Tickets
« Reply #19 on: May 21, 2021, 18:39:20 PM »
Hi RJR

No you can go on any day you wish ...

Doh! I didn't see this reply and I've bought my ticket now... I can't wait although I REALLY need to curb my shopping between now and then  :rolleyes:

Bjay

Re: FESTIVAL OF QUILTS 2021.... Tickets
« Reply #20 on: June 07, 2021, 20:48:03 PM »
@Iminei Would be interested in going on the Sunday 1st - 2 tickets -but first will see what happens after 21st June!

Not deserting you just need to be sure - niether of us have been to the show before
Trying to find my way on the Dark side

Iminei

Re: FESTIVAL OF QUILTS 2021.... Tickets
« Reply #21 on: June 08, 2021, 05:52:02 AM »
Sorry Beej, there was so little interest Im not organising tickets this year ...

in fact Im not sure I'll be going either ass its a lot of fuss and money and last year proved we wont all shrivel up and die if we dont go!
The Imperfect Perfectionist sews again

RJR_38

Re: FESTIVAL OF QUILTS 2021.... Tickets
« Reply #22 on: June 08, 2021, 06:17:43 AM »
That's a shame @Iminei but I completely understand for those of you who live further away. I'm lucky that I can get a fast train right there and be door to door in 90 minutes so very much a daytrip. This makes it much more affordable and I won't feel like I HAVE to spend a lot of money because I paid to get there etc

Bjay

Re: FESTIVAL OF QUILTS 2021.... Tickets
« Reply #23 on: June 08, 2021, 08:47:40 AM »
@Iminei - oh ok
Probably best to not book too far in advance

We were planning to go on  train as well as the station is at the NEC
Thanks anyway
Will probably go if guidelines permit
« Last Edit: June 08, 2021, 08:49:37 AM by Bjay »
Trying to find my way on the Dark side

Cheesecake

Re: FESTIVAL OF QUILTS 2021.... Tickets
« Reply #24 on: June 08, 2021, 10:57:56 AM »
I’m hoping maybe next year or one after I can persuade a friend of mine we should go as it looks an amazing event.

realale

Re: FESTIVAL OF QUILTS 2021.... Tickets
« Reply #25 on: June 08, 2021, 11:32:54 AM »
I'm still undecided about going. I get the train as it's so much easier than driving and parking so I may decide almost on the day. It's near enough to not be a major problem travelling - except the year when all the trains terminated at New Street because of an incident (I forget what) and the station was awash with frustrated festival goers trying all ways to get to the NEC. When the trains resumed we were allowed to travel first class as so many (mainly women) travellers were trying to board the train. (Don't mess with a frustrated fabric searcher!! :laughing:)
So many beers, so little time.

Iminei

Re: FESTIVAL OF QUILTS 2021.... Tickets
« Reply #26 on: June 25, 2021, 09:49:04 AM »
Just had an email offering me discounted tickets (£12.50) !!!

I had registered an interest in going and they have oicked up that I havent (yet) bought any ....

The offer 'ends' Sunday altho' I wonder if the price will drop further if I dont take the bait????

Maybe they havent had the uptake they expected .. we Ladies of a certain age are more cautious, I think, than the twentysomethings cramming in for a rave in Manchester !!!

So maybe I will go after all, Im feeling more able to 'do' things on my days off now, the shock of working 13 hour days is wearing off or maybe becoming normal.

Anybody interested in being my 'date'??? Taking advantage of the reduced price ... Offer ends Sunday!!!!
The Imperfect Perfectionist sews again

Iminei

Re: FESTIVAL OF QUILTS 2021.... Tickets
« Reply #27 on: June 27, 2021, 18:27:18 PM »
Anybody want a ticket at £12.50 ???

Need to order before midnight (Tho' Im wondering if they will extend this .. Im thinking numbers are low because of concerns and theyre trying to drum up trade!
The Imperfect Perfectionist sews again

Iminei

Re: FESTIVAL OF QUILTS 2021.... Tickets
« Reply #28 on: July 28, 2021, 18:10:05 PM »
So tomorrow is Festival ..... Good Luck and Especial thanks to @Kitten  who is taking some Project Linus quilts with her.

I hope whomever is going will be able to meet up at the Mezzanine at Midday as we usually do  ...
Please take pics of yourself/selves and the Quilts if you can and accept my apologies for not being with you this year.

Enjoy Peeps xxx
The Imperfect Perfectionist sews again

StitchinTime

Festival of Quilts 2021 - better, worse or just different?
« Reply #29 on: July 29, 2021, 09:37:29 AM »
Unexpectedly I am off to FoQ on Saturday. There was too much uncertainty this year to buy a ticket and so I wasn't going to bother going, but then I won one in a giveaway last week and have decided to take the plunge and venture out.

I'd noticed on social media that some of the usual exhibitors were posting that they were not going so I took a closer look at the exhibitor list for this year. There are about 120 exhibitors listed on the FoQ website which is less than half of the number of previous years. "Big names" (and stands) that are not listed for this year include Barnyarns, Doughtys, Empress Mills, Kaleidoscope Books, New Threads, and Lady Sew and Sew. Looking at some of the set up photos that people have posted, the aisles between the stands do seem to be a lot wider so that should be better.

I wonder if the number of quilts submitted has been similarly affected, though perhaps people have had plenty of time to sew during lockdowns. However, I get the impression that ticket sales are lower than previous years and maybe people won't submit a quilt if they are not going to visit to see it displayed.

Perhaps those going today or Friday can give an early report of how things are for any of us visiting at the weekend.