Sewing for pleasure NEC

[Margaret]

Wondering if any one is going to the NEC later this month, have linked up with Christina for a coffee there, it would be lovely to meet some fellow stitchers, will be there every day for my sins as I am working and plan to embroider a brooch saying stitchinfingers.

Look fowrard to some response  Margaret

[sharonb]

Margaret what is NEC and where in the world is it? I dont think I will be going but I am nosey 

[Cookie Ziemba]

Hi Margaret, I imagine you were referring to the Knitting and Stitching show at the NEC.  I've been there many times for miniature fairs which are held late September and mid-March.  Always wanted to go to a Knitting and Stitching show and if I ever get to the UK at that time, would love to meet up with you for some lunch.  I was once at the NEC at the same time the Crofts Dog show was on, my what an overwhelming experience.  We had to park what seemed miles from the building.

SharonB, if you ever see this posting, the NEC is the largest convention center in Europe (I am told) and is in Birmingham, England.  I used to go to the Javets Convention Center in New York City and it is minute in comparison.  

[sharonb]

Thanks Cookie for letting me know. I will have to plan my next holiday in the UK to be there for this show - I did go once in the 90's when it was in London - had a ball and spent way too much money 

[Cookie Ziemba]

Hi Sharon, I bet you did enjoy it, and totally understandable that you spent too much!  One of my English friends did a City and Guilds course, what fun.  I took a Stumpwork workshop at an Embroiderers Guild group in the UK once, lots of fun.  Wish I could go back and do more.  Would also like to do a course at the Royal School, but alas, not happening in the foreseeable future.

[Margaret]

Hi Z|imba,

No it was not the knitting and stitching show but sewing for pleasure, run by different companies, this one is by ICHF who do a lot of shows in England. The K & S show is held in Alexander Palace London,Dublin and Harrogate, they tried it in Birmingham but did not get the people through the doors and a lot of exhibitors lost money.I go to Harrogate every year as local to me and used to work at all the shows, think Alexander Palace is the best show of all.

[Cookie Ziemba]

Hi Margaret,  Thanks for that clarification, I hadn't heard of this show that you refer to.  Too bad the K&S show didn't do well at the NEC, I would think knitting and stitching would be very popular.  They say when times are rough financially, that hobbies increase.  Interesting.  Glad that you are able to get to Harrogate.  I had heard about the Ally Pally show :).  My friend went and told me the nickname.