Today we have a special episode of the podcast recorded at Fall Quilt Market in Houston, Texas.
International Quilt Market is a trade show for the fabric and quilt industry. It takes place twice a year, in October and May, and is a time when quilt shop owners from all over the country and all over the world come together to see the forthcoming fabric collections from all of the manufacturers, try out the latest sewing machines, embroidery machines, and long arm machines from all the big machine brands, and discover new notions, buttons, trims, storage solutions, and other neat things they might want to carry in their shops in the coming year.
I had a fantastic time at Fall Market this year and spent lots of time talking with shop owners and I’m excited to share some of those conversations with you in this episode.
This episode is sponsored by Marcus Fabrics.
For well over 100 years, Marcus Fabrics/Studio 37 has created beautiful fabrics for quilters and crafters.
Marcus Fabrics offers expertly designed block-of-the-month programs, designer fabrics and museum collections for today’s creative market, from traditional to trendy! At Marcus Fabrics, you’ll find reproduction 1930s prints, calicos and patriotics; contemporary florals, batiks, abstracts and novelties from their Studio 37 division; plus premium quality yarn-dyed Primo Plaid Flannels, Aged Muslin and everyday basics. Go to your favorite local quilt shop and see all that’s new from some of the industry’s top designers along with their in-house design studio. Visit MarcusFabrics.com, and follow along on social media @marcusfabrics and @studio37fabrics
The first two interviews you’ll hear I conducted outside the Schoolhouse classrooms earlier in the day on Friday. These next five interviews I recorded while walking the Sample Spree line. Sample Spree, for those who have never attended Market, is a preview event that takes place the evening before the show floor opens. Many of the fabric manufacturers participate and they sell precuts of the forthcoming lines. You’ll hear a band playing in the background during these interviews which Quilts, Inc. hired to entertain everyone who was waiting in line. This was new and fun this year.
The shops I spoke with were, in order:
- Calico Cats Sewing Center in Lake Jackson, Texas. What’s selling? Kimberbell Designs
- Gruber’s Quilt Shop in Waite Park, Minnesota. What’s selling? Grippy
- The Presser Foot in Longmont and Fort Collins, Colorado
- Lilymacklimited in Guthrie, Oklahoma
- Quilt Barn Studio, Janesville Wisconsin
- Treelotta Fabrics and Craft Supplies in Denver, Colorado. What’s selling? Sashiko and English Paper Piecing products
- Cottoneer Fabrics online shop based in the central coast of California. What she’s excited to check out? Felicity Fabrics and Alexander Henry
I conducted similar interviews at Fall Quilt Market in 2018. I invited you to tune in to that episode to see how show owners were talking about the industry at that time and think about what’s changed and what’s stayed the same.
Trackbacks/Pingbacks