Spring Quilt Market

I have just returned from Salt Lake City Utah where this year’s spring market was held. For those of you who don’t know…market is where quilt shops go to purchase the fabrics, notions and patterns that we sell to you. It is only open to people in the trade, not the general public. All the large fabric companies are showing off their new lines, pattern designers are displaying their newest creations and there are demos galore for us to learn how to use the latest gadget so we can, in turn, teach you. There is also a full day of classes before the show floor opens. The classes are everything from how to handle social media, how to make kits, the wonders of new patterns and gadgets…everything to run a quilt shop. The classes are 15 or 30 minutes in length, go from 10am to 6pm and there are at least 20 classes held in each time slot. You get the class schedule about 9:30am so it’s a daunting task to figure out which classes you want to attend!

The show floor is open for three days and most shops take 2-3 days to see everything. I did it in one day. Needless to say I probably missed a lot but that’s ok. I still managed to find some great items, some of which I brought home but most of which will be shipped out and arriving soon. here are some highlights:

The two hour tulip purse by Anything But Boring. Pattern includes instruction for 4 sizes. I was able to bring this one home. You can see it here, Two Hour Tulip Purse. I think I’ve already pulled enough fabric to make 6 of these. Fast and quick – gotta love it!

Isn’t this a cute loon family? It’s a pre-cut, pre-fused little number from Laura’s Sage Country Quilts. We’ll have both the applique as well as kits. Can’t wait until they get here.

These needle cases from Puffin Company come in two sizes and have various decorations on them. They should be here in about a week or two. So cute! The artist also makes needle threaders and needles minders. I ordered several and they will be here soon.

I ordered two new patterns from Happy Hollow Designs and they will be here soon. Topsy Turvy Moose and a cute Halloween runner/wall hanging.

Of course with all this quilty stuff around and long days of working hard…there’s bound to be trouble with your friends…

Ebony Love has found a new use for the new Fat Quarter Gypsy Pop-up basket!

My hotel was across from this beautiful architecture. The light rail stops had these cute birds on top. Not sure if they deterred real birds or attracted them…

 

Salt Lake City welcomed the quilters with open arms. Many businesses in the area had signs inviting us in. Color was everywhere, even restaurants!

So now it’s back to the business at hand all while dreaming about fall Quilt Market in Houston…should I go? hmm…