Welcome to Quilt Market

It just so happened that the Spring International Quilt Market was at the Salt Palace Convention Center in 2011. It just so happened that I was going to be in Salt Lake City at the same time. Finally my chance to go to Quilt Market!

I represented Sally's "Tuft Love" fabric business (see my sidebar for link) and enjoyed every minute. Here is the entrance to the exhibit hall. There were literally acres of booths from small vendors and designers to the large national fabric and notion companies.

On Thursday I attended "Schoolhouse" where one could pick from 20 or so presentations every 30 to 15 minutes. I found myself race walking through the convention center trying to see and hear as much as possible for six hours.

Designers shared their latest fabric lines and projects.

This is Tula Pink showing her "Prince Charming" line.

Can you spot the frog?

Liesl Gibson was introducing her new "Oliver + S" children's clothing patterns.

I have been following her blog for some time so was delighted to see her in person.

Her husband also gave a great strategy marketing lesson for the shop owners.

Darra Williamson presented a modern take on "Sunbonnet Sue."

I loved the bright colors and her ideas for each month of the year. Martingale & Co. is publishing Darra's book, "A Year in the Life of Sunbonnet Sue: 12 Small Quilts."

I loved all the Riley Blake fabric designs and products. Lori Holt designed this fabric line titled "Sew Cherry." I particularly liked this line and all the projects that Lori had prepared.

It looks like hand applique but is really patchwork.

I loved the bold checks.

And polka dots.

Cherries anyone? I have always loved any fabric with cherries. Probably has something to do with my love of the color RED.

Adorable, right?! Once again, patchwork and not applique.

And then Lori blew me away with all the aprons using different fabric combinations and Riley Blake trims but the same pattern which uses just one yard of combined fabrics (that is the total of all fabrics used is just one yard.)

How

Would

You pick

A favorite????

Eleanor Burns is famous for her "a quilt in a day" patterns. She is also hilarious!

The presentation was entitled "Strips to Stars" and she went all out with a "Star Wars" theme.

It was entertaining

and the piecing technique inspiring.

Princess Lela and Grandma Nyborg would both be impressed!

More Riley Blake Designs fabric, this line designed by Cyndi Walker.

The "Daydream" collection had a "fun and fresh vintage look."

The designer pointing out the impact of a dark touch of brown.

She also included Riley Blake's giant ric rac trim and this quilt has yo yo's as well.

Michael Miller fabric lines were also introduced. Sarah Jane Wright introduced her line of Children's Novelty fabrics.

Entitled "Children at Play" it includes whimsical designs

as well as a collection of hand embroidery patterns.

Sarah Jane pointed out her use of red with pink for the little girls.

Charming!

Sandi Henderson also designs for Michael Miller. Her fabric design career began with bringing her fabric designs to Market four years ago, showing them around, and being signed up by Michael Miller.

Her newest collection is "Secret Garden."

Notice the subtle scalloped edge on this quilt. Kari M. Carr demonstrated not only how to make it easy but also demonstrated an easy technique for perfect mitered borders as well.

Her book, also published by Martingale & Co., is called "Just Around the Corner: Quilts with Easy Mitered Borders."

Kari is a former home ec teacher and lovely quilter. This began as a tree skirt but ended up a table topper.

It was interesting to see how she combined fabric with wool applique. The poinsettia is made of wool.

Perfectly mitered, scalloped border in a frame.

Amy Butler was beautiful and charming. She gave a lovely presentation introducing her new organic cotton and fashion fabric substrates.

The substrates include small wale corderoys, voiles, organic cottons, and laminated fabrics.

She introduced some of her old patterns with new fabrics.

Such whimsy!

Seriously, she was the "rock star" of Market! There were lines for her class and booth.

Organic cotton with low impact dyes seemed to be a new wave on the exhibit floor.

The camera battery ran out or you would have been subjected to more "photo booth" shots. Seriously, I was so amazed at the talent, color, and design represented on the exhibit floor. It was a feast for the eyes and a creativity booster.

Thank you Sally for making my first visit to "Quilt Market" possible and I have fabric sample brochures galore for you to cruise through once you are through cruising :)

Quilt Market update:

*For more booth pictures go here.

*Next Spring Quilt Market will be in Kansas City on May 18 - 20, 2012. Lynette, are you listening?!!!!