International Quilt Market Fall 2012

Oh quilt market, how do I love thee? Let me count the ways.......

Ok, so a little bit cheesy, but seriously, ever since we (my mom and I) started attending International Quilt Market in Spring 2011, I just can't miss it. I know I explain this every time I post about market, but just in case you are new here to the blog......International Quilt Market is a trade show and is not open to the general public. Most of the ordering that goes on at market is for wholesale purchasing. Every fall it takes place in Houston, TX and every spring it rotates around the country (this spring will be in Portland, OR). Quilt Market is where many of the designers and manufacturers introduce their new fabrics, notions, sewing tools, sewing and quilting machines and trims.

So you might be wondering, why does Lindsay (aka The Cottage Mama) go to Quilt Market? Well, we go for many different reasons. Originally, we started going to open up wholesale accounts to start purchasing fabric by the bolt as well as large quantities of buttons and trims. But market has become so much more than that to me at this point in my career.

I love meeting people in person. Meeting someone face to face always solidifies a relationship and it's so nice to put a face with a name after you've been emailing back and forth. There were so many people that I needed to meet with and touch base with about all kinds of things business related as well as placing fabric, button and trim orders. But really, it's the people that make market so much fun!

So enough chit-chat, how about some pictures? Yes, there are a lot.......I hope you enjoy them and find as much inspiration in these new fabric designs as I do!

Splendor 1920 ~ Bari J. for Art Gallery Fabrics. 

Oh. My. Goodness. Probably one of my favorite lines at market. Modern with a big vintage twist. 

Color Me Retro ~ Jeni Baker (from In Color Order) for Art Gallery Fabrics

She was just as cute as a button and was a great new addition to the Art Gallery Fabrics design team.

There were a few vintage trim and button booths that were actually selling things at market. I didn't end up buying anything as it was a little pricey for me, but they were still fun to check out.

Melody Miller for Kokka

All of the japanese import fabrics are always SO adorable at the Seven Islands booth.

One of the most fun meetings we had was going out to dinner with Kelly Biscopink and Andrea Johnson, authors of the new 'Modern Design for Classic Quilts: 12 Traditional Patterns Made New' (which I will be reviewing and giving away soon). I actually met Kelly when she was working at my publisher (she has since gone back into working in theater), but it was SO great to see her again in person and meet her co-author, Andie!

Kelly and Andie during their book signing for their new book.

Amy Butler's booth was gorgeous, as usual, and she came out with a new line of woven trim. You all know how much I love trim, so I was completely in love!

Salt Water by Tula Pink

Here are a bunch of pieces that I sewed for the Birch Organic Fabrics booth. It was so much fun seeing them in person and on display. And what was even more fun was that my buddy, Shannon from Luvinthemommyhood sewed a bunch of pieces as well. Here is one of her amazingly adorable creations........

Dress designed and sewn by Shannon from Luvinthemommyhood for Birch Organic Fabrics.

Alexander Henry's booth

Tiffany and Shannon from Create Kids Couture

They are one of our new blog sponsors here and it was so great to get to meet them in person. Their patterns are absolutely adorable. This was their first time exhibiting at market and they did an amazing job on their booth.

The Moda Fabrics booth never disappoints. Their booth display was gorgeous. A big theme this market seemed to be playing color off of white and so they had paint sticks that had been dipped in all different colors of paint for a rainbow effect. It was beautiful.

Above are a few of the adorable displays at the Riley Blake Designs booth. I had dinner with their crew and designers again this market and they are always such a joy to be around.

Liberty Art Fabric

David Butler (Amy Butler's hubby) always has the coolest booth. It's so manly and different from everything else you see at market. His fabric brand, Parson Gray, is such a breathe of fresh air!

Last, but not least, mom and I had to make a stop over at one of my distributors booth to see if they had my patterns out. Yep, they sure did!

Whew! That was a lot of pictures. I hope you got a little sense of the market experience. This was probably 1/20th of what was on the floor of market. There are tons of traditional quilting fabrics, quilt patterns, long arm machines, batting companies, tons of different thread manufacturers and so much more. But these are the types of booths that I am drawn to, so I thought you would enjoy seeing some of these pictures.

If you are a small, handmade business, I encourage you to consider whether or not you are at a place where it might be time to start ordering your fabric and supplies wholesale. If so, International Quilt Market is a great event to check out to meet the right people and get you moving in the right direction. You do not need to have your accounts already set up in order to attend. Please let me know if you have any questions and I'm always happy to help!