Houston 2012

Hello! My name is Sherri from A Quilting Life...and I'm excited to be posting today on the Cutting Table blog to share some of my thoughts about the recent International Quilt Market in Houston! The Houston market was my second market; I had previously attended the Spring 2011 market in Salt Lake City. I was really excited to attend for the second time as I felt I had a little knowledge and experience that would help me navigate and see everthing and everyone...of course that didn't turn out to be the case as there is always more to see and do than you have time for in just a few days, but I had an absolutely wonderful time...again!

 

 

Of course I was in awe of the entire Moda area...when I walked in Friday afternoon and saw the "My Favorite COLOR is Moda" banner I remember nodding my head in agreement...what a perfect theme! Every detail was amazing from the perfectly stacked paint cans to the brightly colored table cloths and delightful "paint" chair covers! 

 

I had seen a little sneak peek of this adorable "Glamping" trailer on Instagram, but the preview didn't come close to preparing me for how wonderful this little area was! Again, every attention to detail had been taken with every accessory inside and outside the trailer beautifully presenting Mary Jane's first fabric collection! Also in this area were displays of Honey Honey by Kate Spain and Posy by Aneela Hoey!

I had a few quilts I had pieced on display in the Moda area too...a couple in the United Notions section and this "Milky Way" quilt designed by Joanna Figueroa of Fig Tree & Company (top quilt on the quilt ladder). I love this photo because it also shows the cute hanging paint sticks that were decorating the Moda booths!

Many of the Moda designers were in attendance, and I was able to visit all of their lovely booths and displays and hear from them all at the two Moda designer SchoolHouse sessions...they were such an inspiring group!

Comma, by Zen Chic was one of those collections that was just stunning...you couldn't walk by this display without stopping to notice the amazing blend of modern fabrics and bold, graphic design. In fact, color seemed to be the overall theme of the market. Colors and fabrics were repeatedly displayed throughout the market aisles in such an amazing, creative manner. Quilts were, of course, the standard, but home dec accessories, clothing and bags all made wonderful use of the quilting fabrics we all love.

With all of the color and contrast, print and pattern, and fabric, of course...the one constant about quilt market last time and this time was the amazing people that you met everywhere you went. I think I appreciated this aspect of market even more so this "second time around." Whether waiting for the shuttle at my hotel, waiting in line to attend a SchoolHouse session, or just sitting down to grab a snack, I had the best time talking about fabric and life with fabric lovers from all over the country and from many parts of the world! I was especially happy to be able to meet the wonderful group pictured above as we prepared to sign copies of the Moda Sweet Celebrations book compiled by Lissa Alexander and published by the Stash division of C&T Publishing.

If I had to sum up the quilt market experience I would say it's like being in a University of Fabric and Quilty Inspiration combined with a never-ending treasure trove of quilt shop ready displays! I came home (as I did from my first market) a little tired, but very inspired with many ideas for future projects! And, just as before...I was missing the whole market experience within just a few days! I can't wait to attend again!