The Sewing Place
The Emporia => Patchwork & Quilting ... Welcome to the Darkside => Topic started by: Iminei on March 23, 2021, 09:08:09 AM
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Festival is provisionally going ahead this year ... Thursday 29th July to Sunday 1st August (https://www.thefestivalofquilts.co.uk/)
With Group Tickets available ....
£13 per adult,
£11.50 per adult for members of The Quilters’ Guild
and £7 per child (aged 13-18)
The Question is Peeps ... Do you want me to organise group tickets this year?
If you do please pm me your requirements and your address, marking your pm with FOQ 2021.
I will need payment for tickets by the 20th July and on each order there will be a £1.50 charge to cover postage and their administration costs.
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I'm keeping everything crossed it can go ahead safely.
It would be so good to do something nice and I already have my hotel booked!
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My friend and I were planning to go last year. Hardly seen her so will ask, would be interested though
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Just been on their website and seen this, the multi coloured hexie quilt ...
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which Im pretty sure is by one of our members, maybe @QuiltySisty ... Tho' I dont think shes currently active on TSP at the mo....
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Is Anyone interested in the Group Tickets ???
Remember I need a MINIMUM order of 10 tickets to qualify for the discount.
As numbers are going to be limited we really do need to order well before we usually do and as I have registered an interest in booking, I can order tickets from 10am on the 17th May .... giving us a head start
Adult £13
Quilters Guild £11.50 or £13.00 (bit confused by the info HERE (https://www.thefestivalofquilts.co.uk/group-tickets/))
Child with paying adult ... Free !!!
+ £1.50 P&P per order
These are the best prices available for tickets ... even if you enter a quilt you dont receive such a good discount so Please if you are thinking of going buy through TSP.
There will be the Thursday TSP Mezzanine Meet up at Midday and The Handover of PL Quilts at the Project Linus Stand after.
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Two for me please @Iminei for Thursday.
Hope to arrive around 11.15ish.
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Not this time as I'm not sure about larger gatherings yet along with DD1 having a possible diagnosis of Long Covid.
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I haven't got the faintest idea whether I'll be going or not. Daughter has said that she'll come with me this year but I'm not sure that I can believe her.
I'm still deciding.
Sandra.
xxx
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I’m going but I assume we all have to go on the same day for group ticket? In which case I won’t be able to buy through you
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Hi RJR
No you can go on any day you wish ...
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I'm undecided still, the 2 hour drive there and back and stupid amount to park don't inspire me this year and as I'm not quilting as much at the moment ---------. Will have to speak to my friend and see if she is interested.
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Hi @Iminei
Do we have enough for group tickets? If not I will book mine today.
Thanks
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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. :(
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I have had my “ animal theme” quilt here for a year, all ready for Project Linus. Are we still sending these to this year’s FOQ @Iminei ?
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I have to say I'm still a bit hesitant about going to such a busy thing.
I just hope things stay calm and infection rates stay low. If not I might still not go.
Keeping everything crossed and looking forward to meeting up with all the TSP peeps.
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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.
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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.
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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. :(
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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!
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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:
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@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
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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!
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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
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@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
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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.
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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:)
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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!!!!
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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!
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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
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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.
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Hi @Iminei I'm now not going :'( I just don't feel that confident being in big crowds yet. But am still wishing I was there today.
I did let @Sheilago know last week.
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I think a lot of people feel the same ... Im not in the Brum TV area ... Do they cover Festival @Sandra @Pearl ???
Would be interesting to see how Festival is this year ??? Take up, Traders, etc
Maybe next year?!
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After the bargain offer price of £11.50 (or was it £13.50, I cant remember) offered a month ago, the prices remained static at £17.50 (!!!!!) so Sales couldnt have been so bad!
I too am very interested in the How, Where, Why etc
I know @Deafoldbat and Elvistoo have entered a quilt and am hoping that Deaf takes some good pics of it for us.
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@Iminei I don't think so but I've never made a a habit of faithfully watching the local news. -<
Feel a little bit sorry to not be going this year but at the same time I think it might be a bit disappointing to have many of the regular stands missing.
Hope it's back to normal next year.
Sandra.
xxx
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@Iminei It was covered on Midlands Today - pictures and interviews. An extra hall to make more space for moving around, restricted numbers, wider corridprs between stalls.
Didn't look that busy - usual quilt display and some stands said it was just like bfore!
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Thanks for that info, @Bjay. The Midlands Today news item is available on iPlayer - it starts at about 7 minutes.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m000ybf7/midlands-today-evening-news-29072021
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Judging by the pictures on Facebook there are not many selling stands. Loads of big names have pulled out apparently.
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Looked to lack atmosphere judging by the pictures on Facebook. Far fewer stands and people rattling around.
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I went yesterday and still enjoyed it.
Pros:
Much more space, aisles much wider so there was space to actually look, browse and shop this year!
No queues for the toilets and less queuing for food
The quilts were as good as always and you had a lot more space to view them. Some had been sent over from Europe as well.
Cons:
Less stalls than usual. Some of the big names were missing which I thought would disappoint me but actually it meant I spent more time at ‘medium sized’ businesses and spent more money overall!
No specialist stalls from abroad (obviously) and less variety generally eg there are normally stands selling ribbons or bag hardware but none of that.
I happened to sit near the exhibitor lunch area and overheard some interesting conversations between them about one of the bigger companies in particular who didn’t go when they realised the Europeans wouldn’t be coming over as they are the big spenders apparently - us Brits aren’t worthwhile…. Which is interesting!!
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I posted in the other thread @Lowena - yes some of the big names were missing but I actually think it was better overall as it gave the smaller businesses a chance and I have new places to look online now as a result!
I have definitely fallen into the habit of defaulting to the same few companies who actually aren’t always the best value
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Im going to merge the two threads peeps Ok?????
Thanks very much for that link ... interesting!
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I've never been but now i've seen that clip i definitely want to go next year, will have to butter up DH to share the driving up there.
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I went to Festival of Quilts today and to nearly quote Bjork, it was oh so quiet.
The first sign that this year was going to different was that with the earlier opening time and staggered admissions, I wasn’t able to play the usual “spot the quilter” on the train or at the stations. My free ticket was valid for entry after 11am and train times meant I got to the NEC about 10.15am which gave me time to get a coffee beforehand. I’d finished my coffee by 10.45am and there was no problem in getting in early.
I’ve mentioned earlier that going by the list on the website, exhibitor numbers seemed reduced by about 50% and I think the number of competition quilts were reduced by a similar amount. With all the extra space it was difficult to gauge how visitor numbers compared to previous years, but one thing that was noticeable was the lack of a “hubbub” about the place.
It was much easier to move around the stands and many of the exhibitors had time to answer questions about their products and chat about the show in general. One of the smaller traders mentioned that the lack of some of the “big names” had been beneficial as people who would normally head to the names were buying from them instead.
I didn’t particularly “need” anything, but there were a few things that were on my ”would be useful or nice to have” list. Unfortunately with the reduced retail offering, I didn’t spot any of them. However, I didn’t come away empty handed, including getting some bargain (£5 for 2.5m!) John Kaldor jersey fabric for dress making from the Project Linus stand.
It was a different, but enjoyable experience this year, but I kept waiting for the crowds to appear - all day it had the feeling of being the last hour of the show when everyone starts heading home.
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Thanks for that @StitchinTime ... very interesting!
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FFS!!!
Just got an email saying theres still time to buy tickets ... at a discount methought ,so I went through the motions ...
£19.00 !!!! :faints:
I kid you not!
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All the pictures I've seen look as if there are very few people there - taken early or late in the day?
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@maliw It didn’t seem busy at all. I took this photo of the winners’ gallery at 1.30 yesterday and as you can see there were very few people about, though I suppose some might have been getting lunch at that point.
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The dates for next year’s show will be 18-21 August. I wonder if it is a little later due to the Commonwealth Games being in Birmingham until 8 August.
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@StitchinTime that makes sense. I was a little disappointed it was so late next year as it towards the end of my summer holidays and I like it near the beginning so that I have time to play with all my goodies!
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@maliw It didn’t seem busy at all. I took this photo of the winners’ gallery at 1.30 yesterday and as you can see there were very few people about, though I suppose some might have been getting lunch at that point.
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Wow what a difference to previous years
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Quite eerie I'm glad I didn't go
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Quite eerie I'm glad I didn't go
It really wasn’t eerie Lowena - and there were parts that were much busier than that (and you still had to queue in some stalls and for food etc). There was still plenty of atmosphere - you just didn’t have to push past people to look at things or queue to look at a particular shelf (generally speaking!) - I preferred the fewer people (but would like the bigger variety of stalls back haha).
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FFS!!!
Just got an email saying theres still time to buy tickets ... at a discount methought ,so I went through the motions ...
£19.00 !!!! :faints:
I kid you not!
That includes lunch, I suppose? No?
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The dates for next year’s show will be 18-21 August.
BLIMEY!!! :faints:
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This actually looks "perfect" to me. Calm and serene. :meditation:
Here in the US even medium sized quilt shows are packed like sardine cans. Maybe not right now if they're even having any, but in "normal" times. Five or six deep at the quilt displays all pressed up against you trying for a better look.. They push and prod you in the booths and reach over and around you to grab merchandise. Ye gads. I'd be much less tempted to elbow someone in the ribs in a layout like that.
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As Festival of Quilts was the first show at the NEC since Covid, it attracted some media interest. An industry report (https://www.eventindustrynews.com/news/exhibitions-return-safely-to-the-nec) mentions that it was attended by 11,000 visitors. A page on the Festival of Quilts website (https://www.thefestivalofquilts.co.uk/covid-safety-measures/) said they were expecting “no more than 16,000 people in total over the four days (compared to 26,000 normally)”.
These visitor numbers probably explain the ticket offers prior to the show and the near empty at times aisles at the show.