The Saskatoon Quilt Show

I love how some of you ALSO had to dust those knick-knacks! I can hardly wait for this morning to do my job! 

OH MY GOSH --- The Saskatoon Quilters Guild Show. What can I say—it was a fantastic show, and I am so glad I decided to come. It was the BEST (by far) of any guild show that I have ever been to, and I've been to a fair number. Why? Well, I'll tell you shortly. 

I stopped by the apartment for a little bit before I left, as I had some time to kill before I needed to go. I am ALMOST done binding the second side of that hexagon quilt, and I should get it done this morning as I'll be at the apartment for most of the day, although I have more visiting this afternoon. 

I had a few errands in the morning as well, and ran into another cousin. Actually, she recognized me and we had a quick chat as she was opening up the place where she works. What fun to catch up with everyone in person. 

The plan yesterday was to meet up with Brenda for lunch. Brenda found me online and has followed my blog for a bit, and is now in one of my online classes. We had a grand chat over lunch, and it always amazes me how easily perfect strangers can have a meaningful conversation about so many things. Yet, it's so hard sometimes to have meaningful conversations with people we've known for many years. 

Brenda and me

This is a picture of Brenda and me, and in the background you can see Cathy's quilt—the Tula Pink Butterfly. Cathy took that class online with me, but she custom quilted it on her long arm, and well, the quilting and the quilt are spectacular. She won first place in her category, and it is well deserved. Congratulations to Cathy, and it's so lovely to meet you, Brenda!!! 

What was so funny is that Brenda is from Calgary, and, like me, happened to be in town for the show. She was there by accident at the same time as the show, while mine was planned. I haven't met some of the people from my online classes who live closer to me! It's a small world. 

While we were at lunch at the Prairie Ink restaurant at McNally Booksotre (a must-stop for any trip to Saskatoon), we spotted two ladies wearing these pants and figured they were heading to the show or had already been there. 

Patchwork pants

Roomy pocket

They were super funky, stitched with a serger with exposed seams, and large, roomy pockets to store all your stuff. I LOVE them, but they didn't make them; they purchased them somewhere. I want to say Las Vegas? But I could be wrong. There was so much to take in yesterday that my brain was about to explode. 

If the wearer of the pants is reading this, thanks so much for letting me post the picture!!!! No way to put flashing lights around the pictures, but I love those pants!!!

Here is the guild banner that greeted us as we walked into the building. The show is at Prairieland, and the venue is massive. The entrance fee is $15, but for what we got in return, it was well worth the price. PLUS, they took cash or card. Now that's civilized, since I rarely carry cash, but I made specific arrangements to have some money on hand. 

The guild banner

But this is what you see when you walk in. The floor is carpeted, the lighting is pretty decent, and the hall is enormous, with WIDE aisles between rows of quilts hanging on black pipe and drape. It does NOT have the feel of a guild show. I was stunned and overwhelmed before I even saw one quilt. 

What you see when you walk in

 I noticed a few ladies grabbing the corner of a quilt and lifting it to see the back. WAIT -- is that allowed? Then I realized that every quilt had a clothespin attached to one corner, so you could grab it and flip the quilt over to see the back. Now, what a simple idea that completely eliminated the need for gloves. 

A clothespin to lift the corner of the quilt

 Not to brag or anything, but these prairie girls are SMART. Does that count for me since I grew up in this area? 

There were many categories of quilts, and there were a lot of ribbons. I don't know the details of how that worked, but I loved that they had a category especially for Machine Embroidery quilts. I took pictures of all of them to share with my machine embroidery club. I just thought that was a brilliant idea—a lot more work, but well worth it to display the items and add to the diversity of the show. 

I spotted a Boho Heart quilt—this was not made in my class, but I love seeing how others handled the same quilt. I see she added extra at the top of the heart, just like we did! 

And there was a Long Time Gone (previously known as Gypsy Wife) as well. An unusual color palette and very busy backgrounds. Again, this was not someone in my class, so it was interesting to see another colorway that was totally different from anything from my class participants. I love the wave of color. 

I took many other pictures —how does one choose which ones to post? The quilts were stunning, and the featured quilter's quilts were amazing. Debora Barlow is a very accomplished quilter. As mentioned, there was so much to see that it was overwhelming. 

Thankfully, I had some diversions. I ran into Cathy and Jocelyn, who I know from my classes. And I've met Cathy many times now -- in the airport, at Quilt Canada. Cathy is everywhere! But I also got to meet more of her sisters, and we had a good chat. 

Then I ran into a longtime friend (you can't say "old" friend) and we sat down and had a good chat, since I hadn't seen her in a long time. Susan is the one I met because of the barn quilt they had on one of their outbuildings along the highway! That was so many years ago! So much fun catching up, and I knew she would be there —how to connect? She spotted me (orange flowers in the hair) and sent me a text, which I missed, so she called me. 

It is such a small world!!! I chatted to Debora for a bit as well and bought some raffle tickets—maybe I'll be lucky. If not, it supports the guild, which is terrific. I even considered joining the guild since they have a hybrid component to their meetings. 

There was only one thing that disappointed me, and it had nothing really to do with the guild. There was a demo area set up so professionally, with large TV screens and cameras. Very impressive. The topic was machine embroidery on quilts, so I thought I would see something spectacular or perhaps glean a new idea or two. The demo was given by one of the vendors, and well, all she did was show a couple of kits that she makes to sell. She didn't even have any of the quilts in the demo because they were hanging in their booth.

That was disappointing, BUT I ran into some of the ladies who have been in my classes at The Sewing Machine Store, so we had a good chat. And well, something bad came out of that conversation. NO ONE is allowed to yell at me, but I might take on another small job. It's just opening up another club, so that's one hour a month. There is a HUGE need for this kind of thing, and all that would be required of me is to book the monthly hour, load pictures into a presentation, and moderate it. I LOVE that kind of thing, and well, I think I'm going to do it. I even have an idea of where that extra hour will come from without adding to my schedule. I'm good! 

Thank goodness the show was open until 6:30. As a vendor, I would have been so exhausted, but it was nice to be on the other side of things for a change. I could sit down, leave, or do whatever I wanted. So I managed to check out some of the vendors. I actually have to thank Susan for saving me some money, because I had just stepped into the first booth when she called me, so I had less time to spend! 

A friend back home has been looking for bread fabric, and I knew it existed because I'm sure I have a small piece. Well, guess what I found? Yep --- that's bread fabric - it's sideways, but many kinds of bread. So, a quick text: I am bringing a meter of that home with me. 

Bread fabric

One booth had ALL of the Legit Kits for sale. Now, why would anyone want a giant pickle quilt? I guess you have to really like pickles. I suppose it would be suitable for your kitchen. It is kind of funky, but would I make it? Probably not. 

The giant pickle quilt

I did make a few purchases, but I didn't take pictures of anything yet. I'll likely do that when I unpack when I get home. I tried to be good and I was. 

I had a good, long chat with the staff at The Sewing Machine store, and that could bring me some more work—we'll see how it goes. Not that I'm looking for work, but I'm so passionate about what I do that I can't help but share what I know! That's just me!!! But nothing in the immediate future. 

I left the show at 6:30!!! Oh boy—it was a long day, it was exhausting, but I am so fired up. I wish I could be home right now so I could sew all day!!!! I did not join the guild, but I can always join when I get home. I need to think about that, and I might consider it for later. I'll see. I don't belong to any guild for specific reasons, and I know those reasons exist within this guild. Too much politics!!!

Whenever I'm at the bookstore, I always check out the quilts on the balcony. Here are a few —they are amazing. 

Not that I need to add another quilt to my list of quilts to make, I love this one. It's a pixelated double wedding ring. Can you imagine making this with scraps? I have the perfect box of scraps. Does anyone know what pattern this is? I tried a quick search this morning, but didn't find anything, and the way it's hanging, I can't get a better picture. 

Pixelated double wedding ring quilt

This is another great scrap quilt. I love it, and what a great way to use up scraps. It looks like plaid, but it's pieced!!! 

A "plaid" quilt

And this alphabet quilt was also cute. I think the pattern's name was on the label. I'll have to check that out more when I get home. 

Alphabet quilt

While I don't want to start a new scrap club because I don't have time for that, I was considering running a one-hour (or perhaps slightly longer) workshop with the "best of" scrap patterns and practices. Would anyone be interested in attending? OK -- we will make this happen, so watch for more details -- I just need to remember to book that when I get home. 

And on that note (don't yell at me), I'm out of here. It seems warmer this morning by 12 degrees, so it's practically balmy!!! 

I can't wait to dust those teapots!!

Have a super day!!!

Ciao!!!

PS -- I think DH was in his glory watching another amazing game—the first in the World Series on the TV instead of his phone!!! So glad that saga is over. 

PSS -- One other observation. I don't recall seeing many quilted jackets. Hmmmmm, I wonder why?