Sydney Craft and Quilt Fair 2012 - Part 1

Let me say that I'm really excited about the Darling Harbour craft show next week. I've been looking forward to the Sydney Craft and Quilt Fair for quite some time. I go to craft shows regularly with varying levels of excitement and usually a scattered mix of results. Over the years, I've learned that it pays to have a strategy when you go. So this year, I thought I'd offer my tips of what to see and do at the show.

The show has several components. There are exhibitions, vendors and workshops. How you approach the show depends on whether you are there to see, shop or learn. I usually go for a combination of all three and try to spread those experiences over a couple of days. I thought I'd share my tips for each of these.  The craft show covers all sorts of crafts - quilting, beads, scrapbooking, and more.  My suggestions are going to have a bit of a fabric slant since that is how most of my crafting time is spent.

I've got enough to ramble about that I'll split this into a few posts delayed over the long holiday weekend. Let's start with the part that everyone loves, the shopping!

(These reviews and suggestions are my own based on experience at past craft shows. From time-to-time my memory fails or vendors shift onto new products. Think of this a general guide, not a guarantee. If you are a shop owner that I've mentioned below and want to add further information or clarifications, please do so in the comments. They are more than welcome!)

Shop
One of the great opportunities of the craft show is that you get to see and buy fabrics brought in by vendors outside the Sydney region. You also get to meet and talk with designers and artists who are selling their products. You get to find out about new things to make your crafting life easier and more fun. Coming to the quilt fair for them is by no means an inexpensive endeavor. There is the cost of the stock, the stall and the cost of freighting fabric around the country. Not to mention that most of them have a team of staff that need to be housed and fed for five days. When you approach these stands, remember the Craft Fair isn't about getting cheap fabric and products. It's about getting something special. It's about a chance to see new inspiration and fresh ideas. You get to see a lot of fabric and patterns in person that you might not otherwise. You get helpful advice to on where to begin.  And sometimes, you even get a bargain! When I am at the show, I like to keep that in mind.

With that said, I thought I'd give you my pick of the litter when it comes to stalls to visit at this year's craft fair. Whittling it down and squeezing it all in can be tough with 100+ vendors. Unless you are there every day, don't expect to see it all! You will wear yourself out. Before you go, have a look through the vendor list and see what strikes your fancy. Think about what you'd like to take away from the show this year. Is it fabric for a special project?  Maybe you need quilt patterns or templates to help whittle down the stash?  Or maybe you're after a gift for a friend? Or the perfect hat pattern?  I find having a focus when I visit makes the show less overwhelming and a bit more enjoyable.

Before I get too far into things, it seems like the right time to mention that I'll be helping out at one of the stands. So if you find yourself a bit at a loss, come by and maybe I can help?

Saffron Craig
I'll be helping out on Saffron Craig's stand Thursday, Friday and possibly Saturday. I'm, of course, keen to have all the Badskirt visitors stop by for a hello. But don't just stop to say hi to me, stop to see all of Saffron's gorgeous products. Saffron's prints were some of the first I used when I started making toys many moons ago. Can you spot the hidden critter?  Saffron has been quite busy with development since then. She now has several ranges of fabric, scarves, an e-book and she was recently commissioned by Lego for an installation piece. How awesome is that?  She's super nice too. Pop around to see her fabric, have a chat about what inspires her, and help support a local designer.

Kelani Fabrics
The Kelani Fabrics booth is one of my favourites. Unlike many of the vendors, Kelani goes the extra yard (or meter in this case) to bring full fabric bolts to the show. They usually bring a great mix of popular modern prints as well as local specialty screen prints. I'm hoping this year will be no exception. My hot tip for this booth is to raid the offcut baskets. I've found some amazing screenprints tucked in there in the past. Just don't empty the baskets before I get there!

Annie's Designs
I haven't talked much about my diecut machines recently and the buzz about them seems to have trickled down on the Internet. I still use my Sizzix regularly though and was extremely happy when I stumbled into the Annie's Designs booth at another show. They stock Sizzix quilting dies and usually have a few machines out so that you can see them in action. If you haven't tried using one of these machines before, stop by and see why I'm so excited about it. Annie's is about more than just the product though. I've ordered from their online shop and received outstanding customer service. Looking at their website, they've extended their product range into new areas too. You'll find more and more vendors stocking quilting dies this year. If you are puzzled for choice, stop by Annie's Designs.

Patchwork with Gail B
For years, I could never remember what this stall was called. I affectionately called it the $3.50 stand. Everyone who has been to the show before knows what I'm talking about. They sell a large range of fat quarters are an incredibly low price. They are extremely good for 1930s reproductions and novelty prints. They generally have all of the fabric sorted by category and colour. If you can't find what you need, they often have more under the tables. Top tip for this stand: If you are looking for something in particular just ask. They usually know exactly what they've brought up. If they don't have the design you are after on hand (say newsprints or sailboats), take their details and email their Melbourne shop. They've proven quite generous with their time and are willing to take photos of any prints that might meet your needs.

Scissorman.Com.Au
Scissorman is your one stop shop for fresh rotary blades, pinking shears, embroidery lights, cutting mats and template sets. While you are busy gathering all of your fabrics for new projects, don't forget to stop by for the basics.

Quilter's Barn
Julie Wallace's Quilter's Barn is one of your best bets for finding Suzuko Koseki, Kumiko Fujita and modern Yuwas at the show. She also has a good range of fresh Japanese designs along with the more traditional taupes and romantics that come from Yuwa. In addition, she stocks several patterns full of shortcuts to make quilting quick, easy and fun.  She's among the workshop and seminar tips that I'll mention next week.

BeBe Bold  
Another great stop for Japanese prints and supplies. BeBe Bold traditionally carries Kokkas, Keis and some special prints that I've rarely seen anywhere outside of Japan. For the more traditional, they have a solid range of Japanese indigos and taupes. They stock several pattern companies like Oliver&S, and have the cutest samples made up. If you're into modern craft with a Japanese aesthetic, this might be one of your first stops.

Studio Mio
Another great Japanese influenced stand is Studio Mio. Among friends this was called "the Japanese bag handle store" for a long time until the name finally stuck. They have a massive range of cute bag handles to fit any project. They also have fabric and other Japanese crafty bits. While you're there, seek out Badskirt friend, Sue Stubbings and say hello. I hear that she's going to be spending a little time helping at the Studio Mio stand.

That ought to keep you busy for a while, but I know there are so many more fabulous vendors that I'm missing from the list. Not a slight, just an oversight. Do you have a favorite or will you be helping on a stand? Leave us a note in the comments!

Don't forget it's a terrific time to score a bargain at many local Sydney shops. The combination of the craftshow and June stocktake means there are sales to be had all over town. Remnant Warehouse and Quiltsmith are both doing 20-25% discounts on craft fabrics. Craft Depot has ongoing sales and bargains in their clearance section (and extra big bargains on slight misprints).  Material Obsession has a booth at the show. Both Cloth in Surry Hills and Fred the Needle in Penrith are moving soon and need to clear our merchandise.  See shop websites and blogs for exact details.

Are you coming the show? Are you as excited as I am?  Keep and eye out for See and Learn blog posts next week. Enjoy your long holiday!

Happy Crafting. -Amy