Welcome to Spring Quilt Market 2009

What an action packed day!


The first day of Quilt Market is called Schoolhouse. We have an action packed day of education provided by manufacturers, designers and fellow shop owners. Everything from the latest trends in fabric to how to teach a Beginning Quilting class. There are over 200 classes to choose from among 20 or so classrooms. Classes run 15 - 30 minutes and you better run in between sessions.

This is one of the biggest reasons I come to Market. It is great to hear new ideas, be exposed to what the manufacturers think is the next big thing and to get a little preview of all the goodies that will be available in the exhibit hall over the next few days.


One of the great bonuses is the "freebies" - just like we tempt you with goodies, the vendors lure us with yummy fabric to see what they have to offer.


Lunn Studios showcased their Kaufman Artisan Batiks with a theme "Permission to Play" - I absolutely love it! Debra and Michael talked about how there are not many self proclaimed art quilters, yet so many of us like to dabble in the "creative" side of art quilting. Do you know what she said? "There are no art quilt police!" How liberating! I don't know about you, but I do get quite concerned about is something "artsy" daring enough... WELL - guess what? IT DOESN'T MATTER. She continued, "It's just fabric" HA!!! So go ahead - give yourself permission to play. We have seen her striped batik patterns before and they only get better. 3 1/2" strips cut on the bias or on the straight. Subcut into squares or simply resewn together, this fabric is absolutely magical in creating works of art out of simple patterns.


Local favorite Kim Schaefer showed off her holiday lines and debuted her newest "Folklorika". Christmas themed "Partridge in a Pear Tree" is classic Kim and perfect for your whimsically primitive project. One of my favorites for this Christmas line is her pear table runner. The whole gang at Andover Fabrics gets into the act at the class. Company owner David proudly parades quilt samples and one male staffer even struts down the catwalk with a tree skirt as a man kilt. We were lucky enough to grab a sample pack of Partridge and a matching coveted Andover tote bag. (These will be part of the loot on the Post-Market Review Night May 27th at 5:30 - have you reserved your spot yet?)




Kaye England hosted a Hoedown! Retro and kitchy (I love that she uses that word too), this fabric line demands a closer look. We will see what goodies she has tomorrow! Back Home Again with Diane has been such a hit at the store, I do like to see what Kaye has to offer.



Maple Island Quilts have this really cool technique for stripe fabrics. We'll be checking this one out tomorrow.




Electric Quilt Company featured a fascinating Kaleidescope add on... make a note - more research. Very cool twist on paper piecing projects.



Tonight, we had Sample Spree. Now I didn't have to scalp a ticket this trip... I actually got in line at 5:00 p.m. (I know the doors open at 8:00 p.m.) See Pittsburgh is a great city, but the hotels are not connected to the convention center, so where else was I going to go? The funny thing is, jockeying for position totally didn't matter tonight, they opened doors on several entrance doors for efficient entry for all to the event. (grin) Regardless the swarming and elbowing was on! I was as ladylike as possible and somehow ended up with an amazing amount of stuff by 8:15. You know we get bolts delivered by the case to the store, yet I still find tremendous joy in acquiring an amazing fat quarter pack or two (or three or... Frank isn't reading this is he :-) ?) I have the packs spread out on the bed in the hotel room.

An incredible bonus, our buddies from Me & My Sister Designs GIVE charm tablet samples with orders. We are the proud new owners of their latest design Fiona. More challenging than Emma, This sixth offspring is a GREAT baby quilt or basis for a larger quilt.

The classes today were held above the exhibit floor. In between classes we could see the exhibit floor take shape. AHHH all the goodies to take in tomorrow...

Must rest... Sweet fabric dreams from Pittsburgh...

Julie :-)