International Quilt Market: The Show (Part One)

Quilt Market, Pre-Sample Spree by kate @ swim, bike, quilt!

I snapped this picture on my phone Thursday afternoon, before the show floor opened. Typically, Quilt Market starts on a Thursday with Schoolhouse--an all day series of presentations by fabric designers, publishers, pattern designers, notions and accessories distributors, etc. Schoolhouse sessions last anywhere from 15-30 minutes, and of course there are sessions where you want to see three people and others where you feel just fine about taking a break and walking away. I was lucky and won a fat quarter bundle of Joel Dewberry's new Heirloom collection in Sapphire, which I love. I also love some of the new pattens designed by his wife, Laurie, and can't wait to make the Vintage Flutter Dress. Um, I may or may not need to boost my garment sewing skills before the pattern and voile ships.

The show floor opens on Friday, and if you attend Schoolhouse and travel from booth to booth (let's not even talk about sample spree) you may or may not be looking for a pack mule to get all of your stuff home! I have books and patterns and project sheets, and sneak peaks and collection previews and postcards and ... well, a lot of paper goods.

But lets get to the good stuff. Quilt Market was held at the Salt Palace, which, after all, is a convention center. So, the photos aren't that great, but still fun.