Recession Diary: Staycation!

(Editor's note: Unlike past recessions, the current downturn has taken a significant toll on sectors of the economy virtually unscathed by earlier economic crises. This is the latest in a series on one family's struggle.)

SKOKIE, Ill., Nov. 29 (UPI) --"Don't fight with me about this, okay?" my friend from Texas said a few months ago.

She set forth her plan: She would pay for both of our admissions and classes at the big quilt and sewing fair in the Chicago area in November and I, in turn, would drive her from and to the airport, provide room and board at my house, and pack sack lunches and dinners.

After the convention, she'd stay on for a few days for a more relaxed visit. She, geek that she is, would help me with computerized techniques on my sewing machine and I'd teach her some basic sewing and quilting skills.

Our visit would not be quite as relaxing for me: I'd allow myself one day off from writing during the fair, but we'd work around my schedule the rest of the time.

I didn't fight -- she deftly had proposed a tidy exchange that honored me as her friend and fellow hobbyist. I delighted in the thought of window-shopping, learning, sewing and hanging with my friend in my longtime and her new-found hobby.

The fair was my staycation, a welcome diversion during this grim period in Fred's and my life. It wasn't, however, as large or well-attended as I'd thought it would be, based on similar events I'd attended in the past. I think the current recession left its mark on the event as it seems to have done to everything else.

Others thought so, too. My friend and I separately spoke with attendees -- hard-core sewing fair fanatics -- who noticed a decided decline in spirit as well as in numbers.

My instructors in the six classes I took were indefatigably upbeat. In addition to their celebrated talent as artists, artisans and teachers, their personalities make them popular and allow them to develop a loyal following as they present nationwide. So, one couldn't tell from their comportment whether they were concerned about any changes in attendance or climate.

Most, if not all, instructors also had merchandise booths, so they were able to keep their finger on the pulse of sales as well as on that of class registration and attendee attitudes.

Karen Pharr of La Veta, Colo., whose four-hour class I had enjoyed and whose cheerful demeanor is infectious, has been traveling the sewing show tour with her husband in earnest for about three years. This show, their 30th in 2009, was their last for the year.

"We took a hit in July," Pharr said, "but then business stabilized. In October, we experienced a second downturn. The attendance at the shows seems to be down around 40 percent since July -- it's substantial. We'd expected bigger crowds in the larger cities. For the vendors, the booth fees don't change, nor, of course, do any of the out-of-pockets, such as hotels, gas, and merchandise shipment."

I mentioned to Pharr the last show I attended six years ago seemed not only to have had many more customers, but also a lot more vendors. Pharr said she believed some established vendors who'd been merely mulling the idea of retirement had been pushed over the edge by the poor economy.

During the weeks before the show, I steeled myself to approach the vendors' booths as I would museum exhibits. The booths contained interesting items -- but for me, only to view, not to own.

Nevertheless, it was different from ordinary window shopping (which I don't find difficult) because sewing and quilting are cherished hobbies and I could easily covet the clever tools and other innovations on the market that spark my imagination. I kept reminding myself that I no longer have time to sew, so the toys don't matter anymore.

I did notice, however, that there were some unusually good bargains, probably due to the economy. Anyone with money to spend could have cleaned up. At least I got to bring home a freebie souvenir tote bag!