My favorite part of being a handbag pattern maker is not the process of pattern making, filming YouTube videos, or providing quality products (although I love doing all of the above!). My favorite part is meeting and interacting with all of you! After all, without you, Simply Classic would not exist. In an effort to meet as many of you as possible, we travel the U.S. to shows and events to be able to interact with our number one asset: our customers!
Our goal is to vend and visit different parts of the country to create awareness and meet all of our loyal customers. Earlier this year, we made the trip to Puyallup, WA. Three pallets of products and staging were shipped from Georgia to Washington. We then flew out to spend several days enjoying the sites and restaurants in Puyallup and the surrounding areas before we set up for the show.
Last week, we made the drive from Georgia to Kentucky for AQS QuiltWeek in Paducah. It was a fabulous show, and I had the opportunity to meet so many talented people from around the country. Now, I’m excited to share some highlights from the week!
We packed a trailer full of Simply Classic leather, kits, and other products to bring to the show. My husband, Bill, and our team member Taylor joined me on the 8+ hour drive. No trip is without some excitement, and this one did not disappoint! As we were driving somewhere in Kentucky, our low gas light came on in the truck. We made comments to each other that we needed to stop at the next exit to get some gas, which was about four miles down the road. The truck said we had 26 miles left before we ran out — plenty of time, right? Wrong!! The reading went from 26 miles to 18, then to zero, all in the matter of about a mile. Luckily, Taylor (aka the Miracle Worker, as she can do anything), was following us and was able to save the day.
After checking into our Airbnb, we were able to enjoy some of the wildlife on the property where we stayed. Elk and multiple species of deer were the main inhabitants. It was simply beautiful!
We spent our first full day there getting the booth set up. It is quite a lengthy process, and the YouTube video shows the before and after. It is always so amazing how it all comes together.
The next morning as we were headed out to the first day of the show, we found new neighbors at our Airbnb. There were several cabins on the property, and as we were leaving, a group of eight ladies came out of the cabin next door. Somehow, I just knew where they were headed, so I had to go introduce myself. We became fast friends and I was nominated to be their unofficial photographer.
The best part about traveling is the people you meet along the way. It is one of my favorite parts, but now let's talk about my top three memories!
Top 3 Moments from AQS QuiltWeek Paducah 2024
1. Teaching the 3 Ts of leather
I had an amazing opportunity to give a short presentation on the “3 Ts” of leather: Type, Temper, and Thickness. This is also a topic I plan to talk about on the blog soon. I love teaching and helping others follow their passions. It fuels my soul. The attendees asked fantastic questions — and guess who attended? The eight ladies from next door!
2. The welcoming community
AQS stands for American Quilter’s Society. Yes, we were a vendor at a “quilting show.” It was a little bit of a gamble, but AQS was so excited for us to be there. Our goal is to give all sewists another avenue to explore outside of their comfort zone, whatever that may be. The show coordinators were so welcoming, the other vendors were amazing, and the attendees were very responsive and excited for the new opportunities. The AQS community was very welcoming, and we are excited for the new opportunities that it will bring.
3. Last but definitely not least — meeting all of you!
I am very grateful and very humbled with the outpouring of support. I hope that as we continue to travel, teach classes, and attend events that we get to meet each and every person that has supported, and continues to support, Simply Classic.
Thank you again to everyone who stopped by the Simply Classic booth at QuiltWeek. I can’t wait to see what you make!
Join Thousands of Sewists and Makers in Our Facebook Group
Now, let’s keep the energy from the show going in a supportive online space. Join the Simply Classic Inspiration Group on Facebook to share your creations and connect with other makers. We have thousands of members who use the group to share inspiration, show off their creations, give suggestions and tips, and get their questions answered. It’s a supportive environment for sewists of all experience levels, and we would love to have you.
I was so excited to meet you in Paducah. I’ve started my first Simply Classic pattern using the blue faux ostrich and I’m so hapay with. It’s so easy to work with. Also, you do great tutorials.