Quilt Market - Houtson International Quilt Show

Today was the first day for the 2010 Quilt Market here in Houston. This morning I took a class  - Silk Ribbon Embroidery by Machine with Susan Schrempf. Susan is the author of the book by the same name and the class was great. For those who know me well I avoid anything which needs to be sewn by hand so when I saw this class I thought I have to take it. It was a 2 hour class and very enjoyable  (and we were on a Bernina sewing machine!). Below is a sample of Susan's using this technique

After the class it was down to the show for a full day of fun.

The Quilt Market is a 3 day trade only show. Starting Saturday it goes through until Monday. Everything you can think of using in relation to sewing/quilting is available from notions to books to fabric to quilt hangers, jewellery with sewing themes, templates, threads, batting, ironing tables, sewing machines, machine storage units, die cutters, buttons, zippers, you name it is is here. On the first day of Market usually I go through the show, collect flyer's, see all the companies that we regularly place orders with to check out new products. That night I go back to the hotel and spread out of the flyer's and brochures and work my way through them, try and figure out if there is anything I want to place an order for or if I want to take a second look at a product. Then on the second day I have my list of places I must go and see - place orders, and once again I go through the show again, there is so much to see that you never take it in during the first walk through.

I also try to go to some of the book signings. I was lucky to attend and received a copy of Elly Sienkiewicz's new book - Beloved Baltimore  Album Quilts: 25 Blocks, 12 Quilts. The book features quilts from the 2010 Quilt's Inc. exhibit, Baltimore Album Review II: Baltimore's Daughters—Friends Stitch Past to Future. I have ordered the book for the shop - it will be in store soon.

This was a display for the Clothesline Fabric Club by Darlene Zimmerman for Robert Kaufman Fabrics

I am so hooked on zippers - they seem to be one of the next big thing at the show. Embellishments were also big. Below are some photos from the Ghee's stand. I have ordered some of their patterns, they will be in store soon. It is amazing how you can use the zippers as embellishments and for decoration not only on bags but also jackets.

Check out the zippers on the sleeves!

Lastly I was fortunately to finally meet up with Leesa Chandler. She was on the Superior Thread stand with a selection of her quilts. Leesa is the designer of Under the Australia Sun Fabric line for Robert Kaufman which has been very successful both in Australia and overseas. We have had several phone calls with Leesa but have never met (typical that you have to go overseas to finally meet up with other Aussies!) If you are interested in any of Leesa's patterns they are now in store and we still have the fabric collection in store, I know we have sold out of some of the bolts but will be getting them in soon.

International Quilt Market Houston 2010

Quilt Market - Houston International Quilt Market
Finally after 20 hours of travelling I arrived here in Houston on Wednesday and haven’t stop since.
On Thursday something that I like to do is to hire a car for the day and go and check out the local shops. This time I headed east of Houston and went to several stores including Sew Contempo, Fabric Etectera, Painted Pony, Pinwheel and Posies and Quakertown quilts. I did pick up a few things, it is so hard to go into a quilt shop and not buy something.

The picture above is the welcoming party at the Painted Pony N Quilts Shop (Sunday is Halloween). And the photo above, the car on the right was the car I had for the day. It was massive!

After a full day it was time to party. Berrima Patchwork is a member of the Fab Shop Network and as a member we get to attend the pre-show dinner. This is a great opportunity to network with other shop owners from around the world. It gives you also the opportunity to have a preview of new products the opportunity to win lots of goods and to have a good time.

The picture to the right is of the centre piece for the table which Michael Miller created, oh how I wish I had won that. 

The day before the Quilt Market starts is an event called Schoolhouse series. The Schoolhouse series was created by Marti and Richard Michell and occurs before every Quilt Market. There are over 200 different classes offered which cover a wide range of topics. The emphasis is on introducing new product or techniques to shop owners with the aim of providing educational communication between suppliers and retailers. There are a total of 15 sessions - 11 which last for 30 minutes and 4 which last for 15 minutes, each session you have the option of about 16 different classes. It is an extremely informative event and you need to have a pen and paper at the ready. At the end of each session everyone runs out into the hallway rushing to get to their next selected session. During Schoolhouse I had the opportunity to see a presentation and new collections from Andover fabrics (there is a new hungry caterpillar collection coming our - stay tuned for more information) and Timeless Treasures. Introduction to new books from Gail Garber - Flying colours (next week I am taking two of Gail’s classes), Heri Walner’s new book Continuous Line Quilting Designs and Sharon Pederson‘s book - Rose of Sharon. There were several other lectures I attending including a very interesting presentation from Ghee’s which specialise in zippers, I could not believe what items they made using these zippers and how they used the zippers to embellish items of clothing, bags and accessories - lots of good ideas and projects for Bernina Club! During my lunch break I took a look from the second floor down onto the show floor - in one day this will all be set up ready for the show.

Setting up for the Show

Heri Walner’s new book Continuous Line Quilting Designs

Ghee's Zippers

The crowd in one of the lectures

Karen Montgomery and Timeless Treasures

Lonni Rossi and Andover Fabrics

Andover Fabrics Schoolhouse

Rose of Sharon with Sharon Pederson

Flying Colours with Gail Garber

Tonight is Sample Spree more later....

Coupon - Valid 18th October until 31st October 2010

For the remainder of this year we have introduced new coupons. You can photocopy these for your friends. They are only valid for a specific time which is stated on each voucher. Only one of each coupon per person and you must have the coupon with you at the time of purchase. Coupons are valid for in store use only.

The Below Coupon is vaild from the 18th October 2010 until the 31st October 2010

Coupon - Valid 4th October until 17th October 2010

For the remainder of this year we have introduced new coupons. You can photocopy these for your friends. They are only valid for a specific time which is stated on each voucher. Only one of each coupon per person and you must have the coupon with you at the time of purchase. Coupons are valid for in store use only.

The Below Coupon is vaild from the 4th October 2010 until the 17th October 2010