Heading to Quilt Market or IQF Houston Quilt Show? - Don't miss this

This post is really written to share insights with those lucky enough to go to Fall Quilt Market and/or the IQF Houston Quilt Show, but even if you are not attending either of these events I hope you find some insights of interest to you.

I also want to share a tip on how I approach attending a large quilting event.  I will do pre-event research and create a prioritized list of what I want to see.  While I try to see everything, I refer to the printed copy of my notes, to ensure that I do not leave the event until I verify I've not overlooked an opportunity on my notes.  Thus, I'm hoping my insights may help you kick-off your own list.

 

Quilt Market is held twice each year, hosted by Quilts, Inc.  This is a Trade Show event, for those in the business (e.g. Store Owners/Buyers, Manufacturers, etc.).  Those in the business have beautiful booths to showcase their products and take orders to fill stores with merchandise that quilters will later have the opportunity to see and buy.To clarify, typical quilters are not allowed to attend Quilt Market. The exception are those that might attend, to help someone in the business.

Rolling totes are allowed at Quilt Market, but not allowed at Festival! 

There are also classes (School House) at Quilt Market, including some wonderful classes to help quilt shops get demonstrations, as well as hear presentations on tips & tricks to build their businesses.

Quilt Market

October 27th - 31st

Houston, Texas

After Quilt Market, is the IQF Quilt Festival (aka Festival) which is opened to the public. 

I'd love to be able to attend Quilt Market as I love to research to learn about new products, designers and just about anything happening in our world of quilting.  Unfortunately, as I don't make money from blogging, I haven't been able to justify the cost. Thus, I research and try to chat with as many people as I can, to find out about what new items are going to be introduced and attendees should check out.  I also try to follow up and research on many of the new products to share insights after Quilt Market.   

Quilt Festival

October 30th - November 6th

Houston, Texas

The IQF Quilt Show in Houston is one of the premiere quilt shows world-wide, with quilts being entered from quilters all over the world, and attendees to this show coming from all over the world.  There are also a vast number of exception vendors, as well as world class workshops for quilters to learn new techniques and/or build on their current skills.  Festival is also famous for Pokey Bolton's Make-it University, where for a nominal fee, quilters can have a hands on time learning from top artists and taking away a fun project.

Rolling totes are NOT allowed at Quilt Festival due to crowds (but allowed at Market).

One good way to find out about Quilt Market activity is to be on Twitter.  Many attendees will tweet insights using the hashtag #QuiltMarket, thus this is a great tool to feeling like you are actually there.










Facebook users can also find out about Quilt Market by being a fan of Quilt Market on Facebook. I just hope more attendees will share insights in real time on Facebook, like what tends to get shared on Twitter. 




Some attendees have blogs and will share insights on their blog while attending Quilt Market and/or Festival.  Here are some that you may want to follow:

•  Susan Brubaker Knapp's (Blue Moon River) will be attending Market and Festival.
• Kelly Jackson (I Have A Notion) will be attending Market.

For those going to Quilt Market, don't miss stopping in these opportunities:

• AccuQuilt  (Booth/s 344, 46, 445, 47) will announce a new collection if dies to cut fabrics, one of which will be a Designer Collection to cut fabric for Sarah Vedeler's beautiful Heather Feathers machine embroidery designs.  This new die collection will also use AccuQuilts new two-tone die set that you can learn about at Market too!  It is way cool!

While you can do free-motion or blanket stitch applique', Sarah is also introducing her new Jazzilicious machine embroidery design collection that works with pre-cuts from the above AccuQuilt dies.

You'll also be able to find Sarah at Quilt Market on:

Friday, Oct 28 - AURIfil School House, 1:55pm-2:10pm, room 372D

Saturday, Oct 29 - AccuQuilt Booth 344, 100am-noon

Monday, Oct 31 - Brewer Booth 1224, 11:00am-close

Aurifil USA, Inc. (Booth/s 1356, 58, 1457, 59)

There is also a new integrated retail program with Aurifil, AccuQuilt , Sharon Pederson and Lyn Kenny for using these products to create machine embroidered designs with the Rose of Sharon motifs.  SewCalGal issues a "warning" as the prior Rose of Sharon machine embroider design with Sharon Pederson, AccuQuilt and OESD did not result in a quality product as the OESD and AccuQuilt designs were clearly not compatible.  SewCalGal has not been able to evaluate the new Kenny Creation machine embroidery designs.  While hopeful, SewCalGal remains skeptical on these new machine embroidery designs and their compatibility with AccuQuilt pre-cuts.  As such, SewCalGal would love to hear feedback on this from those attending Quilt Market.

Cozy Quilt Designs  (Booth/s 931, 33) has wonderful patterns and books.  They'll actually be introducing two new books at Quilt Market that I highly recommend you check out.

Electric Quilt Company, The ( Booth/s 808, 10, 12) Check out their new EQ Boutique and Fall Stash 2011.

Kaleidoscope Collections, LLC  (Booth/s 200) They will introduce some new template packets for Kaledoscope Kreator.

Martingale & Co. (Booth/s 700, 01, 02, 03). Definitely visit their booth and sign up for their book giveaway that will be held every hour.  Plus, pick up one of these very cute pins.  If you get an extra pin, SewCalGal would really love to have one too! 


P3 Designs ( Booth/s 656) will be introducing some amazing applique' designs.

Quilt In a Day ( Booth/s 1458) will be introducing Eleanor's new book "Tales of First Ladies and Their Quilt Blocks", which quilters can place pre-orders now for December shipment of this book.  They also have a coupon for 25% off items in their booth that you may want to print and bring with you to Festival.

Quilter's Paradise - CA (Booth/s 158) is a booth all quilt store owners & buyers should visit to see their existing laser cut kits that are quite popular with quilters, as well as learn how you can have your designs custom cut with their laser.

Quilting Arts – div of Interweave Press – (Booth/s 1145, 47) 

Robin Quilts, Etc. (Booth/s 1102) is a booth to visit as Robin has some very popular quilt designs and purse designs too.  Definitely check out her versatile Letty Bag!

Sizzix (Booth/s 209, 11)  check out their new dies for cutting fabric

Websites For Quilters ( Booth/s 509) Talk to Dan Purcell to learn about some new tools he has created that can help market your business and help you increase your sales.   Sadly, I see many quilting businesses that are struggling and while many may think this isn't the right time to invest in a new, or upgrade of your website, in many cases this can be the trick to really help a business be more successful.  But, even without the thought of a new or upgraded website, Dan has many tools and insights that can help a Quilt business be more successful.   So, if you are in the quilt business, I recommend you make time to chat with Dan while you are at Market.

Susan McNeil will be also be at Market introducing her new book 'Zen-sational Stitches for Quilting". She is giving a "Zentangle on Bags' class, presenting at the 'Quilting Forum', 'Applique' Forum', and the 'Sampler' events.

Susan Brubaker Knapp is also someone that you will want to try to connect with, at Quilt Market, to find out about her new book and her new DVD too.  Here is her schedule:

Friday, Oct. 28: 

12:10 p.m. – Schoolhouse session for C&T Publishing to promote my new book

1:55 p.m. – Schoolhouse session for Studioe Fabrics on attracting art quilters

Saturday, Oct. 29:
10-11 a.m., and possibly on and off throughout that day – working in Dolce Amico Pet Portraits booth with my friend Faith Cleary

Sunday, Oct. 30:
11 a.m. to noon – book signing in Moda/United Notions’ booth

Alphabetical list of  vendors at Quilt Market:  http://tinyurl.com/3lrbf4u

For those going to Festival, don't miss stopping in these opportunities:

First, there are a few classes that still have openings and some classes will have last minute opportunities.  You may want to check the class schedule and come prepared for some classes that you'd like to attend, if there is availability.  Simply check in early morning with the class registration booth to see if a space has opened up for what you are interested in, as well as try to get wait listed for classes in advanced.

Amidon Quiltworks (Booth 356, 58, 60) will have some amazing applique' patterns, as well as other designs.

Craftsy (Booth 858) check out their books & DVDs and also learn more about their online classes, forum, and website.

Havel's Sewing (Booth 700, 02) is always a great place to visit as they have such a wonderful selecting of tools.  Darn, I need some new embroidery scissors.  Sure wish I could visit their booth at Festival.

Irena Bluhm Designs (Booth 237) has a wonderful booth that is like a mini-quilt exhibit.  Have fun visiting with the talented Irena to pick up insights on how she does excellent free-motion quilting with techniques that work on a longarm, or home sewing machine. Her embellishment on fabric is also spectacular.  Do check out her great collection of books and other products too!

Little Windows® (Booth 202) has amazing products to help you create jewelry and a variety of art.  Their products enable you to create items for yourself, as well as to create beautiful gifts. And, their products would also make great Christmas gifts too.  Heck, I know I'd love to receive some Little Windows kits too.  Definitely take time to visit their booth and get familiar with their products. 

Paper Pieces (Booth 1449) is a great booth to visit.  While many premiere quilt shops carry Paper Pieces products, it is rare to find the opportunity to see all of their products in one place.  If you haven't ever tried Paper Pieces (or paper piecing) I hope you'll give it a try.  Great stash buster, plus works beautiful with coordinated fabrics.  Excellent project for traveling, but also just a fun project for quilters of all levels.  And, it is extremely reasonably priced. I just wish I had the opportunity to visit their booth at Festival.Yumm!

Picturesmith Productions, the creators of Stitched, will release Stretching for Quilters featuring textile artist and fitness professional Randall Cook. The 40-minute DVD will be released at the International Quilt Festival in Houston in November. This program will help quilters and others work out some of the tension caused by sitting for hours. Cook will be leading an exercise program on Saturday, Nov. 5. And Stitched will be screened twice during the festival. Picturesmith will also operate Booth 413 during the festival and will be selling its line of DVDs and t-shirts.
Susan McNeil will be also be at Festival introducing her new book 'Zen-sational Stitches for Quilting".  She is giving a "Zentangle on Bags' class, presenting at the 'Quilting Forum', 'Applique' Forum', and the 'Sampler' events.

Quilt In a Day ( Booth/s 1458) will be introducing Eleanor's new book "Tales of First Ladies and Their Quilt Blocks", which quilters can place pre-orders now for December shipment of this book.

Quilted in Clay (Booth 659, 61) has spectacular jewelry for quilters.  I'm always amazed when I wear my Quilted in Clay jewelry how many compliments I get, as well as questions as to where did I find it.  I've found this jewelry to be high quality, last for ages, easy to clean.  What can I say, but I love it.  And, it is very reasonably priced and also makes for a great Christmas gift.   

X-Blocks Quilt Queen Designs (Booth 1660) continually comes out with new and amazing designs and tools that are excellent for quilters of all levels.  Plus, they are fast and fun projects to make. 

Sarah Vedeler will also be at Festival and can be found in in The Quilt Show booth 714 on Friday, Nov 4, 10am-noon and 2pm-4pm.

Susan Brubaker Knapp is also someone that you will want to try to connect with, at Quilt Festival, to find out about her new book and her new DVD too. Here is her schedule:

Monday, Oct. 31:
All day — “Crazy Beading” class with Nancy Eha (!!!)

Tuesday, Nov. 1:
All day – “Confetti Naturescapes” class with Noriko Endo (!!!)
6-8 p.m. – IQA Winners’ Circle Celebration

Wednesday, Nov. 2
8:30 to noon – IQA Board Meeting
noon to 2 p.m. –Winners’ Circle Luncheon
2 to 4 p.m. – IQA Board Meeting
5:15 to 6:15 p.m.– IQA General Meeting
6:30 to 8:30 –Quiltapalooza
Thursday, Nov. 3:
All day – teaching “Wholecloth Painting” class (class is full!)
Friday, Nov. 4:
All day – teaching“Start With a Photo” class (class is full!)

Saturday, Nov. 5:
All day – teaching“Thread Sketching–Dragonfly” (class is full!)
7 to 9:30 p.m. –Gala on the Green
Sunday, Nov. 6:
11:45 a.m. to 1:45 p.m. Open Studios (near Make It University)

Alphabetical list of vendors at Quilt Festival:  http://tinyurl.com/67skwms

If you have additional insights about Fall Quilt Market and/or Festival, please feel free to post a comment to share and/or email me.

One good way to find out about Quilt Festival activity is to be on Twitter. Many attendees will tweet insights using the hashtag #QuiltFestival, thus this is a great tool to feeling like you are actually there.








Facebook users can also find out about Quilt Festival by being a fan of Quilt Festival on Facebook.  I just hope more attendees will share insights in real time on Facebook, like what tends to get shared on Twitter.  There is a great deal of inspiration shared on this Facebook page and they have also been known to give away free tickets to Festival to randomly selected Facebook fans.




Remember, both Market and Festival are really large events. Wear comfy shoes and bring a bottle of water.  And, if you don't want to overlook a great opportunity, be sure to bring a printed list of all the things that you want to see.  Festival can have 60,000+ visitors so having a game plan on what you want to see is important!