Fresh Fabric Inspirations

Minneapolis Quilt Market 2010 did not disappoint us.  One of the great perks of being an employee of the Quilting Connection is occasionally attending Quilt Market.  It is the wholesale market for quiltshop retailers and other quilting professionals.  We hope to give you a peek.

Schoolhouse takes place on day one.  The day is divided into 15 sessions with 267 class options on a wide range of topics.  The classes are offered by fabric designers, pattern makers, authors and suppliers.  It's purpose is to introduce new products and techniques and to educate retailers.  Here are just a few of our favorite sessions.

One author, Cherri House, introduced her first book City Quilts.  Wow!  We think her designs represent modern quilting at its best.  Her colors, shapes and instructions are inspiring.

C&T Publishing has started a new imprint Stashbooks.  These new books are planned to encourage the 30 year old "sewists" in their "soft crafts" with quick, achievable projects.  City Quilts is their publication. We will be looking forward to upcoming releases.

Amy Butler showcased her fabrics, vinyls, patterns and her new book Style Stitches.  She is a personable presenter and very approachable.

Erin McMorris for FreeSpirit Fabric also has fanciful fabrics and laminated cottons coming out in her "Weekends" collection.  Check out the cute bicycle fabric.

Terry Atkinson of Atkinson Designs will now be supplying zippers in many colors for wallets and bags.  We are excited to have them in the store soon.  Her Urban Cabin quilt pattern is a great way to use fresh modern prints of all scales.

Now for fabric at Sample Spree.  Talk about a bunch of aggressive quilters.  The aisles get pretty ruthless, but the event is great.  A number (limited by the fire marshal) of quilters are allowed into a very large room filled with vendor tables at the stroke of 8 pm.  The lines going in stretch for a couple of blocks.  Then the buying begins at wholesale prices for us common folks.  Chaos.  But here is what we chose.
We headed straight for Robert Kaufman seeking solids.  We were rewarded, purchasing fat quarter bundles (great for value gradation) and Charm Squares of Kona Cotton Solids.

Couldn't resist the luscious silk.  Yummy.

Happily, graphic modern prints are now available in organic cotton collections.  Here is one colorway of Free to Grow by Nancy Mims/Mod Green PC with a charm pack of solids. 

A fun bundle of Riley Blake designs in greys, blacks, whites, fushia and aqua. 

And finally, Arianna for Benartex by Jennifer Young in two colorways.

Next week we will discuss our day on "the floor" exploring all sorts of vendors and their ideas and products.  See you Tuesday.