I didn’t make it to Quilt Market this time around, but my pal Carolyn did! She’s giving us a little peek into the recent trade show. Carolyn has been in the quilting industry for over 30 years. She had her own pattern design business, Colorado Quilt Designs until starting to work for Quiltmaker Magazine in 2005 as an editor. Her career at the magazines evolved into becoming the Content Director for Quiltmaker, McCall’s Quilting and McCall’s Quick Quicks until February 2018. She now spends her time doing freelance work in the quilting industry and spending time with her family.

Hi, Carolyn Beam here. I just got back from Quilt Market and my head is still spinning. In case you’re not familiar, Quilt Market is the wholesale trade show sponsored by Quilts, Inc, the organization that sponsors the fabulous Quilt Festival every fall in Houston, TX.

So, what exactly is Quilt Market, what’s there and who goes to this event? Quilt Market takes place twice each year—once in the spring at different locations and once in the fall in Houston. This spring, market was held in Portland, OR. Fabric companies, notions companies—thread, batting, quilting/sewing tools, needles—along with pattern designers and sewing and quilting machine companies can all be found at market. Imagine over 20 aisles filling a large convention center, all filled with the latest and greatest in the quilting industry. It’s a little bit of brain overload!

Since this is a wholesale show, only store owners and their employees along with industry professionals with the proper credentials can attend. This is a one-stop shop for stores to find the newest fabrics, gadgets, patterns—everything you find in your local quilt store.

I’m going to share a little bit of what I saw. Fabric companies take up the biggest part of the aisles. All of the newest fabric collections are on display along with quilts made with these fabrics. Many times the fabric designers are there as well, talking about the inspiration behind their fabric and sharing stories with customers.

Terri Degenkolb of Whimsicals designs for Windham Fabrics and shared her newest collection, Road Trippin’. It’s a fun collection featuring cars, trailers, roads and things that can be found while traveling in soft shades of teal, gray, yellow and green. Patterns for the quilts featured will soon be available.

Terri Degenkolb

The Moda Fabrics booths had an area set up for designers to demonstrate their new products. Karla Eisenach of Sweetwater was showing her new houses and how to assemble and cover them with fabric.

Karla Eisenach

Doug Leko of Antler Quilt Designs was also in the Moda booth sharing his new designs.

Doug Leko

Here are a few of the other fabric companies:

Art Gallery

Benartex

Benartex—fabric from Cherry Guidry of Cherry Blossoms Quilting Studio

Windham Fabrics

Windham Fabrics—shop owners are perusing the newest collections.

RJR

RJR Fabrics—their photo op wall

Anthology

What seemed to be the fabric trends? Bright colors are still around, although they seem a little more muted. Solids are still popular but there seems to be more solid textures. Batiks continue to be popular with some new batik designers. Check out this new collection from Scott Hansen of Blue Nickel Studios for Banyan Batiks called Tie One On. Travel themes, flowers and animals—from unicorns to swallows to flamingos to dinosaurs were popular.

This is a little eye candy from the fabric manufacturers. Check back next week for more from Quilt Market.

I really enjoyed this sneak peek at Spring 2018 Quilt Market, and I’m sure you did, too! Thanks, Carolyn!