Quilt Show boosts Sisters economy

The week-long slate of events that culminate in the Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show clearly pumps big bucks into the Sisters economy. Yet, no one really knows how many dollars are actually spent.

"I only have a semi-educated, wild guess," said Sisters Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Cheryl Mills.

"Without having an official, economic impact study done, it's hard to quantify," she said, estimating that well over $3 milion is spent during the event.

"My number is probably low," Mills said.

This year 1,500 registrants, many of whom were accompanied by husbands, other family members and friends, spent all or some of the five days before Saturday's Quilt Show in Sisters and its surrounds attending Quilter's Affair (see related story, page 17). Quilter's Affair is a five-day, hands-on educational workshop program providing classroom instruction in every aspect of quilt making imaginable.

With only a little over 200 hotel, motel, bed and breakfast and vacation rental accommodations available in Sisters, Quilter's Affair attendees stay at Black Butte Ranch and in Camp Sherman, Bend, Redmond and as far away as Sunriver. The economic impact this event has on these areas is significant.

"I talked to the Redmond chamber director this week and a lot of their hotels have quilters filling those accommodations," said Mills. "I know they stay in Bend. I know they stay in Sunriver."

Lodging facilities in Sisters, including RV parks and camping sites, were for the most part filled to capacity. Nightly double occupancy hotel/motel room costs averaged $150; RV park fees ran about $50. Vacation rental charges were higher, although more than two individuals typically stay in these accommodations.

"It costs us about $500 a week (per person) for lodging," said Nancy Ritter from Oakley, California. "We spend about $50 (per person) a day for dinner (including drinks and wine). Then, there are all the extras: T-shirts, jewelry, clothes, fabrics - the list goes on," Ritter said, admitting that she spends about $1,000.

"It's clothes; it's antiques. We usually buy an antique, but we're not even to tomorrow (Saturday) yet, and I've already spent a thousand dollars," said Nancy Brown from Morgan Hill, California

When asked if this was her main vacation of the year, Brown was quick to respond. "No. This is just kind of a blip."

"We brought our husbands this year and they're playing golf," said Barbara Graham, also of Morgan Hill. "Today they're out on the Metolius River, and they have a (fishing) guide. We figure whatever they spend on golf and fishing, we can spend on quilting."

"I spend far more than he every does. I don't use that rationale," said Brown.

Andrea Jeffries from Manson, Washington, was attending her fourth Quilter's Affair. When asked about her daily expenses, Jeffries said,"I don't like to figure it. I'm comin' no matter what. ... I just do it."

Jennifer Gold from Bend told The Nugget that she spends much more in Sisters during Quilt Show week than normally.

"I stop and look in the galleries. I have time now," she said, calculating that she had spent around $200 as of Friday.

Margaret Sheppard from Ramona, California and her friend Georgia Gilliam and their husbands had spent $450 per couple renting a condo for the week at Eagle Crest. Remarking that they were both cooking at their condo and eating out, Sheppard said: "But our husbands both go out to breakfast every morning."

Sheppard estimated that by the end of the week she would spend about $200 as "Sisters has so many cute little shops."

"For me it's probably about $500," said Gilliam.

Hedda Wright from Battleground, Washington, a first-timer at Quilter's Affair, was staying in a private home.

"I buy a lot of stuff. I average about $100 a day," she said. "I've bought fabric and books and then more fabric and more books and then some thread and some more fabric. We've certainly hit some of the clothing stores, too."

Two ladies from Nevada who asked to remain anonymous had found a room in Bend for $50 a night. They had a kitchenette and were eating out little. Mentioning that they had been supporting Sisters' antique, jewelry, clothing, sewing and quilting shops, they estimated each would spend close to $2,000 by the end of the week. They told The Nugget that they were economizing with their food and lodging, so "we'd have more left to play with."