Writing a recap of Quilt Market is always so daunting. It’s so much to take in visually and otherwise before your head wants to start exploding, and then even harder to break down, go through tons of pictures, and process them so that I’m able to share it coherently. I’ve done the best I could. Get ready for lots of images. I’m going to break things up into two posts.
The first day of Quilt Market is called Schoolhouse and it is a mad rush of ‘classes’ – or presentations all day long. It’s everything from fabric companies and designers introducing their latest collections, publishers talking about their latest releases, to classes to help shop owners improve the success of their stores. So the reason I was there personally, was to help publicize Martingale’s new book Modern Baby: Easy, Fresh, and Fun Quilt Designs that I contributed to. (There I am saying something very profound about my quilt.) It was fun to be on a panel with some of the other contributors, Jen Eskridge, Victoria Findlay Wolfe, Jake Finch, Melissa Corry, and Carolyn Friedlander.
Another panel included Jeni Baker, Lee Heinrich, and Amy Ellis promoting Modern Quilts from the Blogging Universe. I love that book! I bought a copy a while back because there are so many great quilt patterns in that book. It was fun to get to see some of the quilts from the book in real life, including one of my favorites- the solid Court House Steps quilt by Audrie.
A few other gorgeous quilts at Schoolhouse (clockwise): Sherri McConnell talking about her new book, A Quilting Life: Creating a Handmade Home, Amy McClellan and her book, It’s a Circus, Amy Ellis and her new book, Modern Neutrals, and Vanessa Christenson talking about Aurifil Threads and her new collection, Simply Style.
Friday-Sunday was “the Show” where everything from fabric companies, sewing machine and notions manufacturers, independent pattern designers, book and magazine publishers have booths to display their goods for retail buyers. It’s in a huge convention center and it’s always a little bit overwhelming after a while – I have to break it up over a couple of days. There is something for everyone’s different tastes, and there is always amazing inspiration. I’ll share a few of my favorites, and continue with more this weekend, just so I can do my best to give you that overwhelmed feeling yourself.
Above is the Moda booth – always inspiring and well done. The colored ‘curtain’ is made up of thousands of laser-cut fabric leaves. Some awesome quilts by Camille Roskelly and Kate Spain and running into Sherri and Judi. I really do love connecting with online friends in real life!
Clockwise: with Allison Harris who debuted her first fabric collection, Wallflowers with Windham. The cute Basic Grey girls in the Moda section, Heather Ross’s cheerful Briar Rose collection, and Vanessa and her Simply Style with Moda.
Right next to Vanessa (you can see a cute trip-around-the-world quilt on the right) was Sandy Klop – one of my all time favorites and some how I didn’t even manage to get a picture with her, let alone her cute new fabric and quilts! I’m always so afraid that Sandy thinks I’m a stalker. I guess this year I was trying extra hard to play it cool and not scare her. But I’m totally kicking myself for not taking at least one stealthy picture! Her new collection called Pot Luck and is classic vintage Sandy.
The Art Gallery Fabrics booths were gorgeous as always. I’ve been really good about not buying a lot of fabric recently, but I did succumb (I blame Megan) to buying some samples of their solid Pure Elements. They’re so beautiful!
Clockwise: New Art Gallery designer Bonnie Christine and her beautiful booth, Angela Walters incredible quilting, Pat Bravo’s Carnaby Street collection (how could I pass up a Union Jack couch?!) and cute Jeni Baker’s new collection, Nordika (think modern scandinavian). Some super cool prints in there. I’m especially loving the bird panel on the bag on the right.
All right, break time. To see Part 2 go here.
Siobhán
Thanks for the recap! Fantastic photos. I can't wait to see more!
Marianne
Thanks for the info – it is so lovely to see what everyone takes away from this quilt market. I love your blog!
Lynette
Ok I'm overwhelmed! What a burst of color, EVERYWHERE! Thanks for all the great photos and commentary! I look forward to part 2!
Mandy Beyeler
looks like so much fun!
Kelly Young
oh wow! quilter heaven! Thank for the recap. It looks like you had tons of fun. Is it always in Portland, or does the location vary?<br /><br />-Kelly @ My Quilt Infatuation
Esch House Quilts
It was great to see you again! You took lots of great pictures there (I always forget :))
Asher's Mom
I just got so excited looking at this post I am about to go and bust out some quilting!!! I just opened an etsy shop and have one bazillion ideas running through my mind on what to make. Thanks for a GREAT post!!<br />
Leila
Thanks for sharing!!!<br /><br />You're not a Sandy Stalker, you're her ABC inspiration! 🙂 I am drooling over her new line too. <br /><br />And you can never have too many solids. A good basic. 🙂
Alicia
THANKS! for showing me the quilt I quilted hanging on the wall! YAY! I didn't get to go to Spring Market. The one I got to work on is in the 4th picture, lower row, on the left. The fabric is Sunshine by Kate Spain for MODA. THANKS AGAIN! I"m saving your pic.
amy smart
Awesome!! That is so cool, Alicia! It was a beautiful quilt!
Jennifer Mathis
great recap Amy. I hope to see you in Houston in the fall!
Sarah
Great photos and recap, thanks! Alison Harris is one of my favourite pattern designers. Isn't she tall? She looks like she could be a WNBA player!
lindag1947
Lucky you to be able to go to market. Linda gerog