Spring Quilt Market 2012 has come and gone. The largest wholesale trade show in the quilting industry is held twice each year. Spring Market rotates between 5 different regional locations: Kansas City, Portland, Pittsburg, Minneapolis and Salt Lake City. Fall Market is always held in Houston.

Quilt Market is different things to different people. As a shop owner I’m focused on assessing trends, clearing my head, and using my social time to network with other shop owners, vendors and designers. 4 days away from the bustle of running a business gave me time to think strategically. I always return rejuvenated. This market left my head spinning with new ideas!

Here’s my take on Quilt Market Spring 2012:

- Relatively new designers releasing their 3rd or 4th fabric collections have really hit their stride. There seems to be a comfort level with who they are that translates into confident designs. Collections appear original, polished and well-curated.

- Blogging is most definitely a gateway to entering the business. I made note of lots of pattern designers, fabric designers and shop owners that started their journey via that first lonely blog post. The online world has opened up the market in a way that is positive for every person in this industry. No need to be an insider. Just create, share your gifts with the world, and take flight!

- The speed at which the industry is growing and changing is mind boggling.

- Social media has left everyone wondering how to do it all and where best to put one’s energy.

- Color, Color and Color!

- Veterans in the industry are extremely gracious, humble and genuinely nice people. In addition to talent, it’s clear that being grateful for and respectful of your customers is a ticket to success. I waited 3 deep in line to talk to Amy Butler. She talked with each person one at a time in a relaxed, non-hurried way. Engaging them in a lovely conversation that was a delight to eavesdrop on. It was clear that the opportunity to talk with her was a special experience for each us. I just have so much respect for that and it makes me admire Amy more than ever!

- Cloud9 Fabrics took orders for their debut of organic canvas. Yay!

- Moda announced two new pre-cuts:

• Candy – 2 1/2 inch squares in a pack of 42
• Junior Jelly Rolls – 21 strips in a pack vs. the traditional 42

- Customers shopping in the internet age still value service. Yay for the thoughtful, passionate, conscientious shop owner (both online and bricks & mortar). She is appreciated and will thrive!

- The retail climate is healthy. Shops seem to be spending again and focusing on strategies to grow and thrive vs. just survive. Positivity swirled around the convention center.

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I have some super fabulous items of market loot to share (plus a few carry overs from Fall 2011, oops on that one!).

Leave a comment telling me what you think the market trends are. I’ll pick winners next Monday. Giveaway is open worldwide!

Books:

• A SIGNED copy of Denyse Schmidt Modern Quilts Traditional Inspiration!
• A SIGNED copy of Sew Serendipity Bags by Kay Whitt
• A SIGNED copy of Kaffe Fassett’s Quilts in Sweden (signed by both Kaffe Fassett and Liza Prior Lucy)
• A SIGNED copy of Stupendous Stitching – How to Make Fun and Fabulous Fiber Art by Carol Ann Waugh

pink chalk fabrics ~*~ new arrivals ~*~ free patterns ~*~ on sale

This is the very talented and creative Lizzy House, designer of 1001 Peeps. I recently learned on her blog that the couch she’s sitting on is upholstered in decor weight canvas she printed at Spoonflower using the Illusion Orange print from the collection. That’s just so amazingly cool.

Added 6/15/11: The quilt designs seen here and embroidery crewel project will be available in Lizzy’s new self-published book due out in July!

Lizzy gets an A+ for decking out her booth with samples that really show off the fabric:

The Amy Butler Sophia Carry-All:

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Loulouthi from Anna Maria Horner has me captivated right now. I finished up a project using the laminated cottons this weekend (stay tuned) and I’m smitten. Here’s some fun pictures from her quilt market booth:

In addition to the new fabric collection, Anna Maria has created an entire world of embroidery goodness that will include custom embroidery thread colors, pearl cotton, printed substrates for embroidery and additional fabric designs scheduled for a fall delivery that can be used as-is or embellished a little or a lot with stitching over the patterns. Yep, pretty forward thinking. In case you’re wondering, yes, she painted that cross stitch pattern on her carpet squares!

Lots of inspiration in Anna Maria’s booth on how to use these new products:

New bag pattern coming soon (AMAZING details):

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This week’s giveaway is for one 8 piece 1001 Peeps FQ Set and one 8 piece Loulouthi FQ Set. I’ll let the winners choose their favorite colorway!

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Last week’s winners:

Beth of Modern Jax is the Etsuko Furuya Echino Ni-Co 2011 FQ set winner (blog comments)

Denise is the Pocket Full of Posies Solids Club FQ set winner (newsletter)

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How Fat Quarter Tuesday works:

• Every Tuesday two items from the Pink Chalk Fabrics online store will be featured and given away the following week in a random drawing.
• The first winner is selected from those who opened their Pink Chalk Fabrics e-mail newsletter during the week.
• The second winner is selected from all comments left on the blog for the week (comments from all posts, not just the giveaway post).

You can sign up for the Pink Chalk Fabrics Newsletter here.

pink chalk fabrics ~*~ new arrivals ~*~ free patterns ~*~ on sale

pink chalk fabrics ~*~ new arrivals ~*~ free patterns ~*~ on sale

Thank you for all the thoughtful comments left on the Quilt Market Trend Report post. I read every last one and learned a lot. It’s given me more ideas than I know what to do with! Extremely inspiring and that feels great. Thanks for the boost!

Here are the list of winners. Look for an e-mail today or tomorrow.

• Lizzy House Tote Bags – Krista – Poppyprint and Vickie Angell
• Lizzy House Stationery Set – Susan
• Inspired to Sew signed by the author Bari J. – Cindy
• Girls World signed by the author Jennifer Paganelli – Lindsay
• Moda Apron and Gift Bag – Amy
• Kona Cotton Solids Card – Caitlin T.
• Sandi Henderson Notepads – Kristin Orth and Jenny
• Circa 1934 by Cosmo Cricket 2″ Square Pack – Rachel and Carmen
• Panier De Fleurs by French General 2″ Square Pack – Colette and Barb M.
• Little Apples by Aneela Hoey 2″ Square Pack – Jenny G.

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My Busy Bee Quilting Bee block for Penny. She wanted scrappy, scrappy. Block measures 12″ finished. OK, I’m current through April and I actually mailed this block to Penny one day after I made it. I’m still fairly certain my name has been added to the banned-for-life-from-online-quilting-bees-this-person-is-too-late-all-the-time-and-requires-constant-poking-list! Thanks everyone for your patience.

pink chalk fabrics ~*~ new arrivals ~*~ free patterns ~*~ on sale

pink chalk fabrics ~*~ new arrivals ~*~ free patterns ~*~ on sale

Kate Spain‘s designs grace a lot of different products in the market. Lucky for us, those designs also appear on fabric for Moda. The excitement and passion she has for her work was just plain joyful to soak in. No one left her booth without a huge smile on their face. Kind, gracious, and extremely fun. All of that comes through in her designs. To say I’m excited about the arrival of Central Park in January is an understatement!

Melanie Hurlston and her sister Rosalie Quinlan make up the pattern design team of Melly & Me. In addition to their joint pattern line, both sisters continue to pursue solo adventures with fabric design, books and patterns. Melanie debuted a new pattern collection called Sew Little. Again, I’m really taken with how things emerged on video that were unexpected treats. Watching a designer pick up and hold the items they’ve created is just so cool I can’t stand it.

Off camera, I had the lovely opportunity to meet Nel, Melanie and Rosalie’s mom. I’ve traded quite a few e-mails with Nel over the past several years, what a special treat to meet this fabulous lady in person.

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A special thank you to Lark Books for these fantastic new books for giveaway. I looked at Doodle Stitching over lunch and it contains a CD with all the designs and allows you to re-size them. Very cool!

I also have 2 tote bags from American Patchwork & Quilting. The gal in their booth offered me a tote bag. I thanked her and said I’d be giving it away on my blog. She immediately pulled out a second and said ‘here, take 2!’ . Very smart marketing!

To enter the giveaway leave a comment sharing your favorite holiday specialty dish – the one you take with you and everyone wants the recipe for!

I’m going to select winners from all 4 Quilt Market Blog Posts on Friday, November 10. Thank you for reading along. It’s been fun!

pink chalk fabrics ~*~ new arrivals ~*~ free patterns ~*~ on sale

pink chalk fabrics ~*~ new arrivals ~*~ free patterns ~*~ on sale

Sewing School Book Signing with Authors Amie Plumley & Andria Lisle

Book signings are big at Quilt Market. The image above shows Amie Plumley and Andria Lisle in the Notions Marketing booth. The publisher brings in the books and a schedule of when each author will be signing books is posted in the booth. Usually a one hour window. The books are free on a first come, first served basis. It creates quite a line of people and generates excitement. This takes place all over market in booths by the big publishers like C&T as well as in the distributor booths.

Bari J (2nd from Right) talking with Pokey Bolton (Right)

Jana Nielson from Izzy & Ivy - Cute Samples in their Booth!

Lila Tueller Introducing 3 New Patterns

Kellie Wulfsohn of Don't Look Now

Konda Luckau of Moose on the Porch Quilts

Cheryl Kuczek from Paradiso Designs

There were 180 exhibitors in the Patterns category alone. About 95% were independent designers.

And now is where I’m wondering what happened to my shutter finger. As soon as I went into video mode I had a brain freeze on taking more stills. You can see the entire album of my Quilt Market photos on Flickr. I’ll do one final post tomorrow with 2 more videos and the final giveaway loot. And then I’ll draw names and give it all away!

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Some more swag for giveaway: Dog Leashes 101 from Beach Garden Quilts, The Sewing Answer Book by Barbara Weiland Talbert, Tote Bag from Daiwabo, Key Fob from Michael Miller Fabrics, and Sewing School by Amie Plumley & Andria Lisle. Thanks to Storey Publishing for the books.

To enter the giveaway leave a comment telling me who your favorite independent pattern designer is.

pink chalk fabrics ~*~ new arrivals ~*~ free patterns ~*~ on sale

pink chalk fabrics ~*~ new arrivals ~*~ free patterns ~*~ on sale

Anna Maria Horner’s enthusiasm for her work boils over when she talks about it in person. I’m so excited to be able to put you right there with her with this video. Wait till you see the samples of clothing made up in her new crushed velveteen and cotton voile! CAN NOT WAIT for these fabrics to arrive in the shop.

This video of Liza Prior Lucy gave me goosebumps when I watched it on the Flip in my hotel room Sunday evening. I immediately plugged the camera into my laptop for a  backup. I didn’t want to take any chances. Liza works with Kaffe Fassett on his fabric lines and books. She’s a master quiltmaker whose work I admire beyond imagination. Liza is also the owner of Glorious Color, an online fabric shop specializing in Kaffe Fassett fabrics.

My intent was to simply film Liza stitching on camera which would be amazing in and of itself, it turned into something so much more. Enjoy!

Tricia Waddell is editor-in-chief of Stitch Magazine. I’ve been a fan since the first issue hit the newstands. I felt like a first-on-the-scene news reporter when Tricia shared the plans for Stitch in 2011. Watch the video to find out how to submit projects for future issues and discover who was holding the camera!

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A special thank you to Stash Books for these fabulous new titles:

City Quilts: 12 Dramatic Projects Inspired by Urban Views by Cherri House
Simplify with Camille Roskelley: Quilts for the Modern Home
Fanciful Felties from mummysam
Little Birds: 26 Handmade Projects to Sew, Stitch, Quilt & Love by C & T Publishing’s Design Collective

The giveaway swag also includes a a Fat Quarter from Mo Bedell and a commemorative hankie and tote bag from Moda.

To enter the giveaway leave a comment telling me what you’d like to see captured on video at the next Quilt Market.

pink chalk fabrics ~*~ new arrivals ~*~ free patterns ~*~ on sale

pink chalk fabrics ~*~ new arrivals ~*~ free patterns ~*~ on sale

Thoughts on Quilt Market Fall 2010:

• An unbelievable number of fabric manufacturers are in the market. I noted quite a few new manufacturers from small, single person upstarts to groups of industry veterans breaking off and launching new ventures.
• Everyone wants to be a fabric designer. The accessibility to experimentation made available by on-demand fabric printing websites like Spoonflower has truly created a revolution.
• Veteran manufacturers are re-inventing themselves and expanding their offerings.
• The net effect of #’s 1, 2 and 3: we will see an unprecedented level of choice in the coming year. It will include exciting new base cloths like linen and printed canvas. Indie designers with spectacular designs that seem to be getting more amazing with each new collection. Lots of risk taking leading to forward thinking design and more real art on fabric. More fabric options for sewing projects, not just quilts.
• There’s a whole new generation of young designers (fabric, patterns, book authors) that is changing the market. Their work has been validated via online social networking. The cream is rising to the top and they’re getting a platform to produce their work. These designers are jumping in with enthusiasm, bravado, and fearlessness.
• The quilting and sewing community is stronger than ever. Online access to fabric, patterns and inspiration is fueling the fire!

Quilt Market is a four day event. Day 1 is referred to as Schoolhouse. Attendees have the opportunity to attend 15 and 30 minute sessions that run the gamut from business education to designers marketing their latest products. They run non-stop from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm. Day 1 is setup day for the vendors on the show floor.

The floor is open for days 2, 3 and 4. Fall Quilt Market is BIG. I planned for a two day stay. I literally ran out of time and didn’t make it through all the aisles.

I purchased a Flip video camera two days before I left (I’m addicted to Amazon Prime). I took a total of 6 videos. I still have no idea how to edit but I figured out how to drag things into iMovie and got them uploaded to my brand new Pink Chalk TV channel on YouTube.

It was very intimidating to start filming. By the end I was totally digging the process. A huge thank you to every designer that graciously gave me the opportunity to capture a bit of their talent on film. There are some true gems that can only happen when the person behind the camera has absolutely no plan or any idea of what they’re doing.

I really need to do an entire post on the cosmic energy that whirls around Quilt Market. The creative talent all gathered in one place creates some type of serendipitous stew. I continue to be the beneficiary of many happenstance meetings that give me goosebumps every time. And not like one or two things but 10 to 15.

At the Houston Hobby airport early Monday morning I cracked open my fortune cookie after finishing a breakfast of sesame chicken, spicy green beans and fried rice. As if the message wasn’t a good enough end to an amazing trip, I proceeded to my gate where I met Margaret Miller (anyone remember the Mr. E Quilt? I used Margaret’s book Smashing Sets to design the setting). We chatted all the way to Oakland and then on to Seattle. Wow!

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Fortuitously I ran into Caroline of J. Caroline Creative while we were both waiting to talk with Amy Butler. She had a stack of books in her arms that she had purchased to have the authors sign. I told her I was TOTALLY stealing that idea and I did. So up for giveaway on this post is one  autographed copy of Amy Butler’s new book Style Stitches.

I’m going to leave the comments open till I get all my market reports written and then I’ll do one big winner wrap up post. Fat Quarter Tuesday is on sabbatical this week. I’ll select last week’s winners as soon as I can!

To enter the giveaway leave a comment telling me what you think of non-traditional quilting cotton base cloths:  linen, cotton/linen blends, home decor, cotton lawn, canvas, organic cottons, and laminated cotton.

pink chalk fabrics ~*~ new arrivals ~*~ free patterns ~*~ on sale

pink chalk fabrics ~*~ new arrivals ~*~ free patterns ~*~ on sale

I’m obviously still sleep deprived since I’m giving this bag away. Alexander Henry has printed Natura on a home dec weight canvas, this is a swag bag I was given for placing my order. It’s going to Denise. Enjoy!

A big thanks to my Westminster rep who also represents Hoffman. We swung by their booth and she hooked me up with this absolutely gorgeous bag made completely with Hoffman Bali Pops. Winner: marg.

New patterns (all should be in the shop in the next few days):

Pink Fig Nie Nie Skirt – Michelle of Greeting Arts
Pink Fig Julie Top – Doris Threads of Conversation
Pink Fig Sweetheart Pants – Jan Richards
Pink Fig Scrapbook Jeans & Sweatshirt – Beth Modern Jax
Serendipity Studios The Bijou Traveler – yahaira Bitter Purl
Serendipity Studios Abigail Bag – Kristin Knit One Quilt Too
Serendipity Studios Little Luxuries – Margaret
Serendipity Studios The Emaline Skirt – Amber One Shabby Chick
Serendipity Studios Stella Strip Skirt – Deborah
Serendipity Studios The Torii Tunic – Barb Quilting Barbie

Fun vendor swag with a a little Japanese doll kit that was too fun to pass up:

Michael Miller Gnome Bag – Bekhy
Tape Measures (4) – Terriaw Terri’s Notebook, Mary on Lake Pulaski, Heidi, Emily C Creative Chicks at Play
Moda VW Bug Wristlet – Linda
Anna Maria Horner Note Pads – Linnea
Matryoshka Doll Kit – Stephanie Loft Creations
Grab a Roos Quilting Gloves – Deborah A

Fabric – some from me some from the vendors:

Cloud9 Fabrics Fat Quarter Set – Terri G
Robert Kaufman Fat Quarter Flannel Set – mary
Authentic by Sweetwater Charm Pack – Gretchen
Odyssea by MoMo Charm Pack – 2hippos
Panache by Sanae Charm Pack – Rebecca
Spook Tacular by Sanae Charm Pack – rachel
Figgy Pudding Charm Pack – Charlene
Hushabye by Tula Pink Charm Pack – katie See Katie Sew
Minny Muu Sushi Roll by Lecien – Regina Mostly Turquoise

Some fun French General Rouenneries Gift Items (my fabric for this collection is on its way, yay!):

Pin Cushion – martha
Tape Measure – Sarah Fabric Crush
Gift Bag Stripes – marit Quilt It
Gift Bag Floral – willy-nilly
Sachet Stripes – Stephanie Loft Creations
Sachet Floral – Liz Teeny Tiny Quilts

And a cherry on top, $10 gift certificates to Pink Chalk Fabrics:

Kaye Prince Miss Print
Laura Loving the Question
Laura
stephanie Providence Handmade
Ashley Film in the Fridge
Liz Sisyphus Knits
Sara Auntie FaFa
kathy
Susan V.
carolyn Laughing Duck

pink chalk fabrics ~*~ new arrivals ~*~ free patterns ~*~ on sale

Yippeee! I finally got to meet Linda of CraftApple. Linda and I began our pattern publishing adventures at the same time. We each tested the other’s first pattern. No cell phones were needed, we ran right into each other on Saturday morning. I could have stayed and visited all day long.

Late on Sunday I got lucky and found Pokey Bolton in the Quilting Arts booth. Her boundless energy and creative passion is infectious!

My best friend in the whole world Jone Hallmark. Jone and her mother drove up from Austin for the day and we sure had a good time. We’re standing in front of a sample quilt (on the left) made with Jone’s Baby Toiles collection for Free Spirit. Jone has a blog now so be sure to say hello!

Susan Brubaker Knapp had lots to celebrate at market. She did a signing in the C&T booth for her new book Applique Petal Party. She also has TWO pieces featured in the Quilting Arts 2010 calendar including the cover.

Back to that Sunday night dinner. There were seven of us total including Windham designers Jessica Levitt and Paige Stanley Miller, Susan Brubaker Knapp, quilt artist Sarah Vedeler, Kim Kight of True Up (another long time e-mail friend, it was so fabulous to finally meet in person!), and my mom and me. You’d think with all those bloggers at the same table someone would have thought to take a picture! I really enjoyed the opportunity to spend a fun evening with all these creative women. It was a great way to spend our final evening in Houston.

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The blog giveaway. Leave a comment on any of these Quilt Market posts and you’ll have an entry into the random drawing. I plan to do all that late tomorrow (Monday, October 19).

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I created a Quilt Market Fall 2009 set on Flickr to round up all the photos.

pink chalk fabrics ~*~ new arrivals ~*~ free patterns ~*~ on sale

pink chalk fabrics ~*~ new arrivals ~*~ free patterns ~*~ on sale

Sample quilt from Tula Pink’s new collection for Moda called Plume. I had the pleasure of meeting Tula Pink aka Jen McClean while in line waiting for a Cuban Sandwich at the convention center food court. She was in front me and had on this fabulous bag. I asked her about her bag (always on the lookout for new patterns!) and at the same time was thinking ‘hey I just ordered that fabric from Moda how does this chick have it on a purse already’. Well, you know how that story ends. Too funny. And by the way, Plume is absolutely fabulous in so many ways as this quilt demonstrates.

New collection from French General. Their first collection Rouenneries should be arriving in the shop any day now. The prints are super French Country sweet, sophisticated and beautiful.

New from Sweetwater is Make Life. The aesthetic is very similar to their first collection Authentic that arrived just as I was leaving for Quilt Market. This time they’ve thrown a bit more color into the mix and it’s fantastic. I’m very drawn to the scale and simplicity of these designs.

Had to throw in one more picture of a simple table runner, very cute!

Sandi Henderson in her beautiful booth featuring fabrics from Meadowsweet, her latest collection for Michael Miller Fabrics. The colors are spectacular. Sandi also released 4 new patterns arriving in the shop soon.

Patti Young surrounded by the vibrant colors of her new collection Flora & Fauna. Patti also added several new titles to her ModKids sewing pattern collection.

Paula Prass and her lovely daughter Jennifer Storey. Paula’s new collection is Woodland Delight. Paula also has new patterns coming!

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And if you’re beginning to wonder if it was overwhelming to see all these new fabric collections (most of which will be shipping in the next three months) then you’d be absolutely right. I’ve only been running my shop for a short 18 months but I’ve never seen so many new collections being pushed out at the same time. It required some serious priority setting and decision making about who I am as a shop.

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The blog giveaway. Leave a comment on any of these Quilt Market posts and you’ll have an entry into the random drawing.

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I created a Quilt Market Fall 2009 set on Flickr to round up all the photos

pink chalk fabrics ~*~ new arrivals ~*~ free patterns ~*~ on sale

pink chalk fabrics ~*~ new arrivals ~*~ free patterns ~*~ on sale