International Quilt Market – Spring 2011

If any of you follow along on Facebook or Twitter, you know that I just returned from International Quilt Market in Salt Lake City, Utah.  It was an amazing, inspiring trip, but boy am I tired!

If you are not familiar with International Quilt Market, it is basically a trade show for quilt shops and manufacturers.  There is a Quilt Market twice a year that is not open to the public (just to those in the trade) and then there is a Quilt Festival twice a year that is open to everyone. 

At quilt market there are tons of booths displaying all there newest and greatest products.  The fabric designers and manufacturers are there presenting their new lines, there are quilt, handbag and clothing pattern designers, button dealers, as well as trim, thread, interfacing and quilting batting manufacturers.  You can also check out the latest new gadgets such as the “Slice” fabric cutting machine and many, many more new products.

My mom and I met in Salt Lake City.  She flew in from Houston, Texas and I flew in from Chicago, IL.  So we got to spend an entire three days together, which is very rare these days living in different parts of the county.  I did have to leave my two girls and hubby behind, but we got a ton accomplished so it was definitely worth it.

See those fun “The Cottage Mama” bags we are carrying?  Well, I ordered those through an etsy shop called “Bag Full of Posies“.  The bags are made of jute and Kellie, the owner, will print any text you would like on the bag and then adds the rosette flowers.  She coordinated our bags to match my business card.  We got lots of compliments and it made it very easy for people to know who we were. 

All purchases made at Quilt Market are at wholesale pricing (which means large quantities as well).  But the night before the market opens, they have what’s called a “Sample Spree” where those that are attending market can purchase smaller bundles of fabrics, notions and patterns at wholesale pricing.

I had heard that the sample spree can be a little nuts, but they weren’t kidding.  Apparently people were lining up to go in four hours prior to it opening.  My mom and I weren’t that nutty, but we did get there an hour ahead and were way far back in line.

While we were waiting in line, I met Kari from Ucreate.  I adore her blog and she saw “The Cottage Mama” on my bag and came up and introduced herself.  She and I got along great and spent even more time talking at the blogger’s meetup that occurred on Saturday night (see post HERE for more info on the meetup).  We could definitely be friends if we didn’t live so far away!  I didn’t take any pictures at the meetup, but there are many shots on the Blogger’s Meetup page.

It’s a mad dash inside as people are rushing around to grab bundles of fabric before they are sold out.  We weren’t looking for anything particular at the sample spree, so it was just fun to take it all in.  The Moda table was the busiest by far since they carry the most bundles and cuts of fabric.   

For the next two full days, Mom and I walked around meeting different designers and setting up our accounts with the different fabric and trim manufacturers.  There was something like 1000 booths there, so it was definitely sensory overload.  We tried to stay really focused and managed to get most everything accomplished.

One of the first designers I set out to meet was Amy Butler.  I just love her fabric (notice the belt around my waist……that’s from her “Love” fabric line).  She was so sweet and just a truly genuine person.  She offered me some really great advice in regards to my pattern design and seemed so happy to be there.  Loved her!

Next we met Joel and Laurie Dewberry.  Their booth was simply gorgeous and their new “Heirloom” line is to-die-for.  They were the sweetest couple and I think it’s adorable that they are a husband and wife team.  It really felt like you were entering an upscale boutique when you entered their booth.

The picture above is the Westminster Fibers booth.  When you order fabrics at market you don’t order through the designers, you order through their manufacturer (such as Westminster Fibers).  You set appointments with different reps. and go through all the upcoming lines and place your orders.

Oh, and Kay Whitt, author of “Sew Serendipity” and an amazing pattern designer (Serendipity Studio), was just a doll.  Talk about a good soul.  She shared so much insider information with me about pattern design and could not have been any nicer.  She was truly a breath of fresh air and I feel so blessed to have met her and I’m very thankful for the time she spent with me. 

See the book she’s holding?  Well, she signed a copy of it for you guys and I brought it back and will be giving it away on the blog.  It’s fabulous, so stay tuned for that post!

And one of my new favorite designers is Sarah Jane Studios.  She and I could definitely be friends.  She was so sweet and I love the concept behind her new line.  Will you believe me when I tell you that I ordered 10 bolts of fabric from this line? Yes. I. Did.  It is just too sweet to pass up!  Plus it had some adorable little boy prints which can be tough to find.

How neat is this giant fabric wrapped tree at the Riley Blake booth?  Some of the most fun parts of quilt market is checking out all the creative booth displays.  It’s amazing what some of these people come up with!