Review: Original Sewing & Quilt Expo - Atlanta, Ga (Duluth)

I had been wanting to attend the Original Sewing & Quilt Expo, but hadn't had the opportunity. It totally slipped my mind last year and before I knew it, it had come and gone. So this year, I made it my business to be in attendance. It's held in the Atlanta Metro Area -- Duluth at the Gwinnett Center, which made it just a hop, skip and a 179 mile jump from Birmingham. 

I didn't register for any classes, because I didn't really see anything I wanted to take. If there wasn't any couture sewing, draping or pattern drafting, I really wasn't interested. So I figured that I could just attend, do some shopping and soak up the overall atmosphere. There were these beautiful "knockoff" dresses on exhibit! The construction of these dresses were just amazing!

I was all gung ho to get my shopping on. I walked and looked... and walked and looked some more. Lots and LOTS of quilting stuff. Oh... did I mention there were lots and LOTS of quilting stuff?! Wow. I am not a quilter. Sigh... And there was plenty of embroidery stuff too! The Sulky thread was endless! There were very few fashion sewing vendors (that I like). The independent pattern companies that were there are the ones that I never buy anything from. I would have liked to have seen companies such as Hot Patterns, Jalie, Colette, etc... You know, pattern companies that women under 50 would buy from. Just a suggestion. Anyway... as I was walking I came across the Golden Hands Industries booth. I had been wanting to add to my pressing tools and found this great point presser and clapper. That made me happy! I was starting to feel that the trip was NOT a total bust. Michael had already given me the "side-eye" and said he couldn't believe we'd driven all of that way and I wasn't going to even buy anything. As I said earlier, the majority of the fabric was for quilting. That seemed to be all they had at the Hancock Fabrics booth as well. And the few vendors that were selling fashion fabrics, their prices were through the roof! I'm talking $25-$35/yd. I don't have a problem with paying for "good" fabric, BUT I was expecting MUCH better pricing at a show. Apparently, I wasn't the only person feeling this way. Their booths were empty and they were standing around twiddling their thumbs. As I was about ready to give up and leave, I saw Vogue Fabrics! Their booth looked like an actual store! They had plenty to choose from and GREAT prices! I had mentioned in a previous post that I wanted to make a khaki shirtdress, pants and skirt. Well, I bought 7 yards of this delicious silk twill! This picture does not do it justice. It's beautiful And what would Spring and Summer be without linen?! This 100% black linen will probably become a dress and something else! LOL Graphic prints are so hot right now! I couldn't resist this knit. I'm not much of a print person, but this one is so striking that I had to have it. And I also picked up a few pieces of chalk. Now, don't take MY review of this to be negative... because it's not. Everyone has their own individual expectation of something. And this one really didn't meet mine. I just expected something different. I just wish they would've had more to interest younger , more hip/fashionable sewers. If you're looking to buy a machine or into the classes that are offered, heirloom sewing, embroidery and quilting, then this is the event for you.