My First Market

As some of you may know, the spring International Quilt Market was at the Salt Palace this week.  Very fun, very exciting.  Vendors from all over the country and the world were in town to display their latest and greatest.  Of course, I forgot my camera!  For an idea of what goes on, I am linking photos from various blogs, facebook posts & twitter.  This is one of those events you have to see to believe.  For the complete scoop, check out http://www.facebook.com/QuiltMarket 

This was my very first quilt market and, as someone who avoids the shopping mall because of the crowds, I have to admit it was a little overwhelming. Lots and lots and lots of booths jam- packed with patterns, notions, fabrics, wools (I am falling in love with wools and am hoping to start carrying a nice variety this summer...)  

My whole crew went and checked out the venue on Friday.  That meant I got to man (or woman) the shop that day.  And I'm so glad I was in the shop to meet fellow shop owners and pattern designers who were checking out the local shops.  We had visitors from Maine to California and everywhere in between as well as Belgium, Australia, Canada! I enjoyed meeting everyone and sharing ideas and thoughts.  I hope we gave them a favorable impression of the quilting community in Utah.

I finally made it over to the market today.  I picked up a lot of terrific new patterns and ideas.  I came home with several new block of the month patterns, some terrific gifts for quilting pals, and a slew of ideas for the coming year and beyond....in fact, I think I could start a new block of the month every month for the next several years with the fabulous patterns I brought home or grabbed fliers for.  Is there such a thing as too many block of the month clubs?

I know that the market being in Salt Lake City made it much easier for local designers to display their wares, but I can not get over the tremendous talent for pattern and fabric design that springs from our beautiful valley! To name a few....

Jililly Studios - Jill highlighted her up-coming fabric line from Henry Glass with an ice cream parlor complete with cute little sherbet cones she gave out to visitors.  Yes, real little sherbet cones - it was a lovely treat to find her booth!  I think she recruited her entire family to help scoop and serve sherbet for the week! 
http://www.facebook.com/QuiltMarket#!/photo.php?fbid=198679443508492&set=pu.137770392932731&type=1&theater 

Chitter Chatter Designs - Cori Blunt set up a boardwalk to display her wonderful new Sunset Beach pattern.  Hopefully she will post a shot of the booth on her site so you can see how wonderful it was (mind like a steel sieve - how did the camera slip through?)
 
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SzWVn9FaW40/Tbg51spUJbI/AAAAAAAABKs/aaHZDKg4g9o/s1600/SUNSET%2BBEACH%252CSEA%2BBREEZE%2B002.JPG

My favorite new designers, Meags and Me, whipped up a fabulous display for their new patterns.  Wish them luck with their first quilt market experience!

http://meagsandme.blogspot.com/p/quilt-patterns.html
Kristi & Meagan had lots of fun ways to display thier work including the most adorable framed blocks from Duck, Duck,Goose!

Oh My Bloomin' Threads!  http://ohmybloominthreads.com/products/product/60.html  Ronene has designed a wonderful Halloween pattern - you have to see it in person to appreciate the the tiny details she has incorporated in the stitchery.  if you loved her Ooh La La! pattern you won't be able to resist this one.  I'm getting it for all of my ghoul friends this year!


There are so many more that it will take several posts to cover them all.  I'll keep adding more this week. 

Before I close, the designers/distributors from Riley Blake Designs/Christiansen Wholesalers outdid themselves this show.  Their booth (I need to say booths because they took up a good-size chunk of several rows) was fabulous.  From the fabric tree at the entrance

to to the sections highlighting each of their fabric designers and pattern makers - all of them fun, fresh, and exciting!