Last week I got to attend International Quilt Market in Kansas City, Missouri. This is the semi-annual trade show hosted by the sewing and quilting industry. It’s not open to the public, but an opportunity for industry professionals and wholesalers who are marketing to the shops, presenting upcoming fabric collections, new notions or other products available to sell at independant shops. It’s always fun to see what is coming to stores over the next six-months and I thought I’d share a little preview of what I saw!
This was also my opportunity to introduce my own latest upcoming fabric collection, Sugarhouse Park, produced by Riley Blake Designs. All of the new patterns for this collection will be coming out this summer and fall and the fabric will hit stores in October! Because I’m in a booth at Market now, I have less time to browse the floor, but I did get to snap a few pictures to give you taste of what’s up and coming in the Quilting world!
This year I got to share a booth with my friend, Bev McCullough of Flamingo Toes who was introducing her upcoming collection, Rose Lane. Bev has such a great eye for details, especially darling embroidery. In this collection she’s introducing a darling panel with that giant cat, as well as the printed designs for the hoops and pillows. So clever!
Another upcoming favorite from Riley Blake is this darling Pemberley collection from Rachel of Citrus & Mint Designs. The details are so sweet (somehow I didn’t get any good close up pictures, but trust me, it’s adorable). And how darling are those period Empire waist dresses?
Also beautiful is Lori Holt’s latest collection Granny Chic coming this summer. I will never ceased to be amazed by Lori’s creativity. The Teapot quilt and House pillow will be available as kits. The large quilt is called Granny’s Garden and will be Lori’s latest sewalong project on her blog in a few months.
Check out these two cheerful collections, Under the Canopy – a pastels Jungle collection also by Rachel of Citrus and Mint, and Melanie Collette’s (of Hello Melly) debut collection Flutter and Shine.
Also upcoming from Riley Blake Designs: It’s the Berries by Jillily Studios, Rhapsody by Sedef Imer of Down Grapevine Lane, and Something Borrowed by Christopher Thompson, The Tattooed Quilter.
Other Riley Blake favorites included Chloe and Me by Melissa of the Polkadot Chair, the wonderful Sue Daley and her new collection, Paper Daisies, Love Letters, a darling vintage inspired Valentine collection by Lindsay Wilkes of the Cottage Mama, the delightful Gerri Robinson of Planted Seed Designs (are you familiar with her quilt patterns? They’re amazing!), and the darling, floral, Sew Retro by British designer, Sara Davies.
More eye candy: Lola Dutch fabric by Sarah Jane, inspired by her own successful book series, Lola Dutch! Saying hello to Edyta Sitar of Laundry Basket Quilts and a debut collection, Pink Lemonade by Tessie Fay.
Another person whose creativity never ceases to amaze me is Elizabeth Hartman. Her latest collection, Adventure, and patterns feature African-savannah-inspired animals. Also blowing my mind this market: Violet Craft and her Unicorn Abstractions pattern as well as Giuseppe Riboudo’s (aka Giucy Giuce) and his micro-mini log cabins and pineapple blocks. I always look forward to seeing what inspiration Alison Glass has for me too.
Another very favorite source of inspiration: Jen Kingwell. Her use of fabric and color just makes me want to start cutting up all the fabric…
More saturated color from Anna Maria Horner and Tula Pink. Naturally.
From Moda designers: it’s always fun to see what’s new from mother/daughter duos Bonnie & Camille and Sherri (of A Quilting Life) and her daughter Chelsi. Loved this sachiko stitching from Zen Chic, and lots more ombre color from Vanessa Christensen of V & Co.
Pat Sloan is one of my favorite people in the industry. She’s always so excited to share and help. She just introduced her newest collection with Benartex, called Bonnie Lane after her mom.
And Quilt Market is not just about fabric – lots of notions and accessories are also available to retailers. Sallie Tomato has an amazing selection of contemporary bag-making accessories and hardware including, cork, handles, and metal zippers. The girls from Ruby Star Society had some fun new accessories as well – how fantastic are those ironing board covers?!
So, there you go. A slice of Spring 2019 Quilt Market. It’s always fun to anticipate and be inspired by what’s new in the quilting world. I feel SO lucky to ge to be a small cog in that wheel. I’m especially thankful (and lucky!) to be a part of the Riley Blake Designs team! 
As much as I love the fabric-y fun parts of the quilting world, it’s really the people-part that I love most. I love these talented folks who create so many beautiful fabrics as well as patterns and projects that have been part of my own creative-inspiration for years. It’s always fun to see what they come up with next!
