My first Quilt Market!
One of the more fun parts of having a blog that has gotten big enough to become a legitimate business is going to the International Quilt Market for the first time.
There were more than two dozen rows filled with all the latest fabric lines, notions, patterns, books and sewing machines. If it had anything remotely to do with quilting, it was at Quilt Market.
I bought some patterns from designers I love, and a brand new line of fabric from France that I think you’ll love too. Keep an eye out for a major update to the shop section of the website. That’s when the new items will start showing up.
But I wanted to share some photos from Market since it is a trade show and not open to the general public. So here’s what it is like to attend Quilt Market in Salt Lake.
Quilt Market is a big deal for the fabric companies. While many businesses fill one, maybe two booths, the fabric companies and notions distributors take up some major real estate on the show floor. Moda alone took up at least a dozen booth spaces with fabric reps from all over the country on hand to share the latest collections with quilt shop owners. Fun fact, if you make an order with Moda on the first day of the show, you get to go to dinner with them after. And yes, there were fabric reps dressed like they were going camping in keeping with the booth theme.
Quilt Market is also the place where new products and gadgets are unveiled for shop owners to buy. The photo in the top left shows a new decorative thread from YLI that you can use to couch with or use as a decorative element around applique or your sewing projects. The bobbin keeper on the top right is a new organization product from Noble Notions that really keeps all your threads together without fear of spilling. More on that in a later blog post.
And there are quilting celebrities around every corner. I met Kimberly Jolly, saw Alex Veronelli, Eleanor Burns and took a photo with the one and only Tula Pink. I used to be an entertainment reporter. I was once backstage with Tim McGaw, close enough to touch the muscles in his too tight shirt. Meeting Tula was more exciting by far, and her 20th anniversary collection is a must have for any stash.
I can’t wear shoes without blister protectors. I’m still exhausted two days after returning. And I’m desperately trying to play catch up from being gone all weekend. But I can’t wait until the next one in October.