> ~ Insights by SewCalGal ~

Tuesday, October 29, 2013

Glimpses of Quilt Marke#1 and a Giveaway

logo-200


I wish I could share insights on Quilt Market in one simple post, but this was just too amazing of an event for one post.  I also needed to go over my notes and organize my thoughts and photos to be able to share.  I attended Fall Quilt Market for several reasons, but primarily to research and share insights with you on:
notes at quilt market by sewcalgal

If you have insights on Quilt Market that you would like to share, possibly as a guest blogger, or by emailing me insights you'd like to share with others, I'd love to hear your thoughts on how we can help those in the business by sharing such insights, as well as to increase awareness with shoppers on what the Quilt Market experience is all about. You may be in the business, or a consumer, but your insights matter and I'd be happy to discuss how we might incorporate yours as I also share my insights, over the coming weeks.

So, for now, plan on  "Glimpses of Quilt Market" through a special series of posts where I hope to share insights which will be of interest to those in the business, as well as "us" quilters who would like to better understand what the Quilt Market experience is all about.

Bottom Line: SewCalGal recommends to everyone "in the business"  to attend Quilt Market.  Where appropriate  have a booth to take advantage of this excellent opportunity to increase awareness and sell your products.  Take advantage of the business presentations and networking opportunities that go on at Quilt Market.  This is a wonderful "trade" show that helps to educate those in the business, as well as connect buyers and sellers on a wholesale level.


P1060249 masked

For those attending Quilt Market, if you don't attend the business seminars that are offered you are missing a great opportunity.  There are many tips and tricks shared at these seminars that can help anyone in the business.  And, this is a great opportunity to network.  Besides listening to the speakers, introduce yourself to fellow attendees and share contact information.  The presenters and attendees may become your lifeline in the future to help you through a problem for your business, or to give you a tip that could help you grow your business.

For attendees, you will most likely find amazing products that will sell like hotcakes in your store.  And, you can also find tips and tricks to increase sales in your store too!

You may also find other opportunities, like projects you can teach in your shop, how to draw in more customers to your store, how to move more inventory and many other excellent tips and insights that can help you be more successful in your business.  But to learn these, you really need to attend Market!  So, start planning for Spring Market 2014 now!


Quilt Festival is open to everyone, whereas Quilt Market is only open to those in the business.

'13_festival_houston

October 31-November 3, 2013

George R. Brown Convention Center



Festival starts later this week and there are some amazing quilt exhibits and an amazing collection of vendors.  Go, you'll have a blast.  And be sure to check out their classes as you may be able to find some that have room available and you can register for at the show!  

While there are several hotels that are recommended by Quilts, Inc. and they are all quite nice, they are also pricey.  I found the Club Quarters of Houston, to be about a ten minute walk from the Convention Center and offered a great value.  Club Quarters has friendly staff, a restaurant and room service that was yummy and reasonably priced, plus they offer a free shuttle to the convention center (only on week days).  I do hope you get a chance to attend Festival!

For those attending Festival, here are a few vendor booths that I recommend you take time to visit:


944   Aurifil USA, Inc.
213   Akonye Kena - check out ways to embellish with beautiful handmade buttons from South Africa
911   C & T Publishing
608   Electric Quilt Company
909   Embroidershoppe - ask Zandra for a free downloadable design
344   Gütermann of America - ask about their new rotating table thread holder
313   Java House Quilts
200   Kaleidoscope Collections, LLC 
1265   KennyKreations
133   LoveBug Studios 
1210   The Quilt Show - ask about their new policy for TQS members in 2014
117   Sew Ezi - check out their amazing Holiday special
124   Sizzix  
1733   Steady Betty, Inc - great new products you won't want to miss!
300   StudioKat Designs Inc. - cute new purse designs

Did I mention a Giveaway ?

P1060245 masked


Thanks to   F+W Media/InterweaveC&T Publishing, and Craftsy, as well as Quilts, Inc. for hosting Fabric 2.0 Splash That.  They gave away a nice swag bag that SewCalGal wants to give to a follower.  To clarify, this prize will include this beautiful Quilt Festival tote and as many swag bag items that will fit in a flat rate envelope and can ship to a US winner.  The other items that were given away at the Fabric 2.0 party will be added to gift baskets for the upcoming Quilter's Bee Giving Charity Fundraiser that kicks off November lst.

Want to win this bag and a few mystery items that will be shipped inside of it?  Followers can simply complete the following rafflecopter form to enter.  Deadline to enter is November 6th.  The randomly selected winner will be notified via email and this post will be updated to announce the winner accordingly.


a Rafflecopter giveaway




You can find more information on Quilt Market and Quilt Festival at:
http://www.quilts.com
https://www.facebook.com/QuiltFestival
https://twitter.com/QuiltFestival
http://www.youtube.com/user/QuiltFestivalVideos
http://www.pinterest.com/quiltfestival/
http://instagram.com/quiltfestival?ref=badge
Print Friendly and PDF

132 comments:

Quilting Tangent said...

Never been to Quilt Market or Festival. The bag looks pretty.

Teje Karjalainen said...

Hi! Thank you for a great give away! I'm too far away from any quilt festival and other quilters. So happy that there is online quilt festival! That bag looks very inspiring even on it's own! Surprise inside makes it more exiting! x Teje
nerospost(at)gmail(dot)com

BillieBee (billiemick) said...

I never been either, bug my body just won't hold up to it. I so love seeing photos and post about it though.

Jocelyn said...

Never have been to market except via cyberspace. It looks so amazing. Makes you want to get into business just to attend :-) One of these days though, I will get to the Festival!

Regina said...

Have so enjoyed watching posts on Quilt Market- such camaraderie between the different designers and vendors - looks like hard work but good fun, too!

DebrafromMD said...

I love viewing the pictures from market and all of the wonderful things we have to look forward to seeing soon.

Karen M said...

When I retire, I hope to attend the Quilt Festival. Thanks for the chance to win.

Unknown said...

This is great information. Thanks so much for making all of us wish we were there. lol. Next year!!

Pat V. said...

Alas, I have never attended Quilt Market or Quilt Festival. I'd love to win the tote -- it will be a daily reminder to save my pennies so I can be there in person one day!

beaquilter said...

never been to any of them:( due to little kids at home

Linda E in NM said...

Unfortunately, I've never been to Quilt Market or even to the quilt show in Houston (would love to though)
thanks!

Melissa said...

I've never been to any but I would love to go! Someday...

Cecilia said...

I haven't been to either Quilt Market or Festival, but I hope to attend Quilt Festival one day. The bag is pretty and would make a great way to carry my handwork and supplies to my weekly sit n sew. Thanks for the review of quilt market and for the giveaway.

teachpany said...

My dream is to attend QM. I'm hoping to go to Pittsburgh in Spring, since I can drive there. I want to learn so much! Thanks for doing the posts. I've been reading the updates on FB, too.

Kim said...

I would love to attend Quilt Market but haven't had a chance. Someday...

Michelle said...

I have not been to either Market or Festival but next year, my daughter will be in college, so I plan to go! Love that bag!!

Becki said...

Someday I hope to be able to go to Quilt Festival in Houston. Thanks for the information and for the opportunity. Hope I'm the lucky one.

barbara woods said...

never been , would love to but when you are retired it's impossible thanks

Kathryn said...

I've loved attending the Houston Quilt Festival many times. Unfortunately this year is not one of those time. Thanks for the updates.

Sallie said...

Never been to Quilt Market, but have been to Festival many times.

2ne said...

A great give away - - have fun in Houston :-)

IHaveANotion ~ Kelly Jackson said...

I'm so glad you had the opportunity to go to Quilt Market and I look forward to reading more posts about your experience. Please don't enter me in the drawing.

Kelly

Lisa England said...

I have never been to Quilt Market or Quilt Festival in Houston. I did go to Quilt Festival several years when it was in Cincinnati. I was told that it was a smaller version of Houston and I still thought it was HUGE. I think the Cincinnati run is done though, so sad. I would love to have the bag to take to future quilt shows for holding all the treasures I will buy!

Karens Quilts, Crows and Cardinals said...

Congratulations for attending SoCalGal! I have never attended but it is definitely on my list -- now if I can just figure out how to qualify -- will you share that with us in a future post ? Having the tote will remind me of my goal. Thanks so much. Karen on Keuka

The Calico Cat said...

I would love to be able to go to Market.

Sandy said...

I attended Pacific International and would LOVE to go to Market someday. Thanks for the opportunity to win!

Martha said...

Love the bag, and my goal is to someday make it to Quilt Festival!! I would put that bag in full view in my sewing room to remind me of my goal to get there. I have been designing a quilt worthy of entry in my mind and am ready to get working on it. The bag would my an incentive to work hard and diligent!!! Thanks for the chance :^) And I'm so glad you had such an amazing experience there!!

Melanie said...

Why is it that rafflecoper never works on my ipad?

Kim @ TiesThatBindQuilting said...

I've never been to Quilt Market or Quilt Festival but I would love to at some point.

That bag is gorgeous and would be a great prize by itself!

Marjorie's Busy Corner said...

Thanks for this ...the bag is wonderful

JanetD said...

Would love to go to Festival someday, one of those things to put on the bucket list I guess.

Alice Ronne said...

As I'm new to the quilting scene, I've never been to Quilt Market or Quilt Festival but I would love to some day! Thanks for the chance to win!

suemac said...

I can't wait to hear the rest of your tips.

kay said...

I always look forward to the post-Quilt Market reports and photos. I hope someday I'll get to go to the Quilt Festival.

Lucky Duck Dreams said...

Id love to attend either but have had had the opportunity to. I think it would be cool to have some swag and dream about attending in the future!

Anonymous said...

HELLO,NO I DID NOT ATTEND;LOVE TO WIN THE BAG BECAUSE IT LOOKS CUTE!
THANKS FOR SHARING!

msstitcher1948@yahoo.com

Becky said...

I wish to attend Quilt Festival some day. It looks like so much fun!

Kathy @ Kwilty Pleasures said...

Bucket list!

~Kelie~ said...

I've never been to Market or Quilt Festival but I will one day go to Quilt Market! My goal is to eventually be able to have my own booth (once I start publishing patterns!) so winning/having this bag would be a FANTASTIC reminder of the goals I have set for myself! Thanks for the chance to win!

Gale, Ky quilter said...

Awesome giveaway . . . so thoughtful of you to share with those of us who can't attend. :)

Betsy said...

I wish I could go to quilt market so the bag would bring me so much joy. Thanks for the chance.

Sherryl said...

Ahhh Quilt Festival. My mother and I have high hopes of attending NEXT year. Thanks for sharing and especially thanks for offering those of us who can't make it a chance to get some goodies as a consolation prize!

Becky said...

I've been truly blessed. I've attended Quilt Market three different years, but not this year. I've attended Quilt Festival two or three times, but it's been 15 years since I've attended Festival. Love the vendors at both!

sherry said...

Hope I can attend market next year.

Dana Gaffney said...

I've never been to either, but will someday :)

Mara said...

I have not gone and didn't even realize there was a difference as far as who gets to go and win, I just thought it was one big week of FUN! Thanks for sharing your insights.

Karen said...

Never have been to market because I am not in the business. I've not been to festival either because it is too far away. Maybe someday...

Sally in WA said...

I would love to attend...once I buy my own quilt shop! Thanks for sharing some of the market for us.

Rosa said...

I`ve never been there and love all the pictures about the festival.Hope you have great days!!

Sherri said...

Oh I wish I had known you were there! Would have lived to say hi!

Joyce said...

How I wish I could attend any or all of the events!! Wish I lived closer......

Debbie said...

I've never been to Quilt Market, but I would love to!!!

scottylover said...

I haven't attended either market or festival, but it is on m "bucket" list! My cousin owns a B&B in a town nearby, so I know I would have a place to stay. It's just having the money to get there!

Sandy A

Allison C said...

I wish! I wasn't able to go, but hopefully one day...

Sandi said...

Hi, I arrived today for my fifth visit to Festival, I'm not eligible to go market.

The first three times I just took in the quilt shows with my mom in tow and then explored Texas and or Louisiana.

Last year I came on my own and went to a few hour lectures. This year I'm on my own again and doing one of the lunch lectures and several hour lectures. This year I have a quilt as part of the Moo-ston display and decided I had to come and see it.

When I get home as I did last year I plan on posting some pictures and thoughts of my trip..last year I met up with some internet friends. Again this year is my plan along with meeting some friends who are here doing a bus tour. Me I'm spending Wednesday through probably Sunday morning here until my flight leaves in the afternoon, if I last!

A good friend is staying in touch with my mom for me as she doesn't have e-mail, the tote would be a great gift, but I live in Canada and probably can't qualify. Oh well, I'll find something else to share with her.

Looking forward to your reports.

Joyce Carter said...

I have never been to Quilt Market or to the festival, but I surely would love to go. It all sounds so fascinating. I would love to win the bag as a reminder of some of the things that were there. Thank you for the chance.

Pat Converse said...

I have not been to a quilt festival but I love reading all about it and seeing everyone's pictures.

Thanks for the chance to win.
pnconverse at hotmail dot com

Julia said...

How lovely it would be to win that bag.
I have never been to the states let alone the Quilt market...I am down under in Australia,,one day I will get there. I love reading and seeing all the photos.
thank you for the chance to win.
Julia.

Jezibels said...

I have never been to a quilt market but would love to attend the International Quilt Festival the next time it comes to the Chicago area! I love to look at all the blog posts about quilt market since Im not in the business but love to get sneak peaks at all the new quilt designs and fabric designs! Thank you!

Pamela said...

I've never had the opportunity to attend Quilt Festival, but I love reading about it and seeing the pictures. So having a bag from there will make it seem even more like being there! Thanks so much for sharing!

Annmarie said...

"Someday" I am going to attend Quilt Festival and get a bag of my own! But for now would love to win yours!

ledamewood said...

I've never attended quilt market, I've live vicariously through the blogger who are able to attend. I sure want to go and will some day.

kbo said...

No I have not been fortunate enough to attend market nor festival. Sigh. Reading all the blogs on the internet, seeing the photographs of new products and beautiful quilts, made me want to get a plane ticket and stand outside the doors. Winning "swag" would be like someone opened the doors for me.

Snoodles said...

I've never been to Quilt Market, but I dream of going one day! And if I did, and I was the winner, I'd take this bag with me! Thanks to the sponsors!

Victoria M. said...

I've never been to quilt festival...maybe someday, sigh. To have a tote from there would be awesome, especially with treats inside!!

OhioLori said...

Have never been to Market or Festival....know it would be Grand tho!!!! Love hearin (readin) about them tho...and looooove the pictures!! Would LOVE to win the bag....would treasure the surprises inside too...thanks for the chance to win!!!

Sylvia said...

Never been to Quilt Market. It would be awesome to go sometime. Thank you for the giveaway and to the sponsors.

Sherrill said...

This is the first time in 15 yrs that I've not attended. I went last year just 2 1/2 mo. after DH passed away and it just wasn't the same. Even though I'd signed up for classes and took them, I just didn't have fun like I'd always had in the past. I decided then that I wouldn't go this year. Not sure about next--we'll see.

Missy Shay said...

I have never been able to attend either, but love the bag and it would feel like maybe I had actually gone to one, maybe not, but it's nice to wish isn't it?
missysaprons@gmail.com

Jodi - usairdoll said...

I have loved seeing all the pictures. I have not yet been to Market or Festival. It is on my bucket list to go to Festival. Since I'm not in the business and can not go to Market. Would love to have the beautiful bag and help me to visualize myself there, hehe.

Thank you for a super generous giveaway and a chance to win.

usairdoll(at)gmail(dot)com

Joan H. said...

I have never been to Market or Festival but maybe winning would give me some idea of the excitement they seem to generate.

Anonymous said...

Quilt Festival is on my Bucket List! Thanks for sharing your Quilt market experience and giving us all a chance to win a part of Quilt Market with your bag giveaway!

Anonymous said...

Quilt Festival is on my Bucket List! Thanks for sharing your Quilt market experience and giving us all a chance to win a part of Quilt Market with your bag giveaway!

The Quilted Dog said...

Thanks as always for the giveaway. I've never been to Houston but it's on my "to do" list, hopefully sooner than later.

Beth said...

I have never been to either, and when Quilt Market was in Portland last spring--about an hour from me--it just about killed me that I was a "civilian" and couldn't attend. I would dearly love some QM swag, to assuage the anguish I have felt for the last six months. (Only slight exaggeration.)

Suze said...

Thanks for the information about some opportunities for those in the biz and those who rely on those in the biz. Thanks for the giveaway.

ozone3 said...

Someday I hope to be able to go to Quilt Festival in Houston. Thanks for the chance to win!!

Beth in TN said...

I've never been to Quilt Fest, but a good friend just moved to Houston, so maybe next year! :)

JoyceLM said...

I've never been to Quilt Market/Festival, but my sisters & I plan to go to Festival one day. I'd love to win the bag as a "prequel souvenir." Thanks for the chance.

Anonymous said...

Oh!!! I couldn't find the right place to write my comment!!

I didn't attend any Houston Quilt Festival because it's so far away from where I live, but I hope some day I will.

Margaret said...

I have never been to market. I would love to go. If I won I could live vicariously through this lovely gift package and dream that I had been.

Darlene said...

I have been blessed to attend Quilt Festival in Houston 3 times now. It helps that I lived 3.5 hours away the times I went. This year I am on the east coast and won't be able to go and that makes me kind of sad. I love to see up close all the amazing Quilts and talent that is showcased every year! Thanks for a chance to win a piece of it this year.

Dorian said...

I am not lucky enough to be able to attend either of these events. It is but a dream for me... maybe one day. I love reading market posts and having some of the swag would give me a jolt of happiness :) I'm looking forward to your posts.

Barb Neiwert said...

Houston isn't exactly in our backyard! But if I had that bag, it would draw attention and people would ask, "What is International Quilt Market?" and so I'd strike up a conversation with them. Fun, fun. Plus, the bag looks like an excellent calendar cover photo!

Missie of Traditional Primitives said...

I do wish I could have gone to market this fall. Went to KC a few springs ago and it was wonderful! Next spring I am planning on having my first booth to present my patterns! Any advice you have for a first timer would be greatly appreciated!

Linda Swanekamp said...

It is my dream to go to the Quilt Festival, so the bag is the closest I will come this year.

KatheG said...

Love the info - wish I could go to one but it's just not something I can do right now. Thanks.

Diane M said...

Haven't been to Quilt Market or Festival. Would love to attend at some point. Thanks for your coverage of the event - I look forward to reading more about it.

http://thankfullga447 said...

I would love to win the bag for sentimental reasons.

Sharon J. Hughson said...

I'd love to win!
sjhughson@gmail.com

Unknown said...

I would love to be able to go to both market and the festival, some day, when the lotto picks the right numbers I hope to be able to do both !

kupton52 said...

I've never attended...just started a small online business....oooohhhh....would soooo love to win!

momawake said...

Quilt Festival sound like fun for those of us who aren't in the business.

Vicki H said...

I haven't been to Quilt Market or Festival although I would love to if it came to within driving distance to me. I love the coverage you and so many other bloggers are able to show us.

LeAnne said...

Never been to quilt market, but I'm envious of those that get to go.

Brenda said...

I've never been to either of them but would really love to go. I'd like to work in one of the booths too!

AmandaK@whatthebobbin said...

I've never attended either of them...yet. Maybe when the kiddos are older. Thanks!

Lori said...

I am still fairly new to quilting so have not attended either market or festival. But hope to attend festival in a year or so. The bag would be a reminder that I want to go and incentive to set goals so can go.

Josie McRazie said...

I have never attended! I think it would ne so overwhelming! And amazing!

Jessim said...

I'm not eligible to go to Quilt Market, but I so wish I could go to the Festival in Houston!

Nancy in IN said...

Cute bag.
Thanks

Karen in Breezy Point said...

I so wish I could have been there--thanks for the chance to win a fun bag!

Juels said...

I haven't been to the Houston market. Nice to see some info on it.

Joy said...

I will make it there one day! looks like you had an amazing adventure - thanks for sharing it with us.

Catskill Quilter said...

I have not attended either, but thanks to wonderful quilt blogs, I do not feel as left out. The tote is a symbol of inclusion!

Cheryl's Teapots2Quilting said...

I can never seem to leave a comment on the rafflecopter things. Oh well. I've never been to Quiltfest. I'm a native Texas (misplaced in Illinois at the moment) but, I didn't quilt when I lived in Texas. I'd love to go to the fest one day, but, it is on the wrong side of the state from all of our family. Thanks for the chance.

Rebecca said...

I haven't attended, but hope to one year!

Judi Haines said...

I have never been to the quilt Market in Houston, but I do attend the Road to California in Ontario, California. The inspiration is endless! I would love to win the tote. Ii'm sure everything inside will inspire me to sew-sew-sew and quilt-quilt-quilt!!

The Quiltwhinny said...

I can' attend because we are getting ready for our own quilt show in Galena, Illinois next weekend, but as President of our guild, I would love to win the bag as a door prize for our Christmas meeting for Friendship Quilters in Elizabeth Illinois. Thanks!

Mom C said...

Attended Houston and Portland last year. Loved the experience, missed it so much this year. I love the bags I get from market, they remind me of all the interesting, exciting, stretch my horizons things I see and learn. Thanks.

Beth H. said...

Hope to make it to Quilt Market some day. Thanks for the giveaway opportunity.

Unknown said...

This bag will allow me to live vicariously through those lucky enough to be at QM! Someday, I hope to get to Festival.

Judy1522 said...

It always sounds like everyone has such a good time at Quilt Market.

Sheila said...

I'm so jealous! Never even been to Texas, OR Quilt Market!

M.W. said...

I have never been to quilt market. Work full time and can't get away but I really enjoy the way others who have been blog about it and make me feel like I have been there. Thanks for the chance to win the cool tote.
Shawn

Peggy said...

I would love to win this for my quilting friend. She makes quilts for my Yahoo group, World of Charity Stitching. We donate the finished quilts to nursing homes, a Ronald McDonald House and a domestic violence shelter.
Thanks,
Peggy
peggy_verdongibbs@att.net

Gretchen said...

I have never been to Quilt Market. I can think of lots of projects that I could tote around in that lovely bag!

BizyStitches said...

Never been to Quilt Market, but it is on my bucket list. Love the bag as well as the surprise that may be lurking inside. Happy Halloween.

Cloud 9 said...

I would love to go to Quit Market someday. Thanks for the give away!

Karen Propes said...

I've never been to a Quilt Market, only Quilt Shows, but do have on my "Bucket" list. The bag in itself looks great. Would love to win any special treats it may hold. Thanks for the chance.
ncjeepster@aol.com

Patty said...

I've never been to Quiltmarket but love reading all about it. Someday hopefully I'll get there. Thanks for chance to win a swag bag.

Eileen said...

I've been to Festival, but never to Market. I do plan to go one day. I'd love to meet and greet others in the business.
Thanks for doing this giveaway!

Lisa said...

I've never been to either as I'm fairly new to sewing/quilting. I would love to win this bag, I think it would be quite the conversation piece in my little town. I could take my hand stitching with me everywhere I go!!

KT said...

I've never been to either but I would love to go and just gaze at all the pretty stuff. Maybe someday I can hope to attend!

Unknown said...

I have never been to one but would like too. Maybe the bag will give me more encouragement.
81jshawn at gmail dot com

pburketb said...

Would love to go to Houston.

Heidi said...

I have never had the opportunity to attend Market, but I sure appreciate bloggers like yourself who share so much about the happenings there!

Jackie at Adirondack Urban said...

I have never been to either Quilt Market or Quilt Festival but I would love to go someday!

Debbie said...

I've never been to Houston, but I think it's a beautiful bag and wouldn't mind having the stuff that comes in it! :)

Gill said...

I've never been to Quilt Market or Festival!

Unknown said...

I have not been to Quilt Market or Festival. Nothing better in a giveaway than a surprise!!! Thanks for the opportunity!!!

Texas JennyWren said...

A few years ago I went to the Quilt Show in Houston and took some classes. It was wonderful. I learned so much but have not done as much with this knowledge as I wish I could. I would love more time to quilt.