I got back from International Quilt Market in Houston on Monday. Quilt Market was founded in 1979, and I’ve been going since 1994. That’s a long time and I’ve seen lots of changes in the industry over the years. The industry continues to change with the times. We’ve seen times of prosperity and times of adversity. Yet, quilting continues to thrive. I came back inspired and optimistic about where our industry is headed. Here is just a bit of what I saw.
Michael Miller Fabrics. During its Schoolhouse presentation, co-owner Kathy Miller talked about color trends in the real world. Navy is the new black. Olive green is a new comfort color. Gold is big as throwback to the 1890s, 1990s and early 2000s. Nice blue greens show up as neutrals. We are also seeing richer colors. Kathy also shared an exciting new product. Michael Miller Fabrics has partnered with EZ Fabrics, designers of Minky, to offer a new line of its prints on a Minky.
Who doesn’t wander into a quilt shop or go to a quilt show and not get tempted by the array of fat quarters or jelly rolls? I know they are hard to resist, as evidenced by my own stash. That was the impetus behind Smash Your Precut Stash by Kate Carlson Colleran and Elizabeth Veit Balderamma. Kate and Elizabeth knew many of us had a precut stash, just as they did. Offering a little bit of color theory and some nifty tips, Kate and Elizabeth have designed 11 patterns for you to smash that stash. Their designs could be called traditional with a twist, and I know you’ll find several you’ll want to make. I particularly liked “My Favorite Fat Quarter Runner” and “Plain Jane.” While the patterns are designed to use a specific type of precut, Kate and Elizabeth make suggestions on how to substitute other precuts. The book also includes a gallery with lots to inspire you to attack that stash!
You can look for the book at your favorite quilt shop or book retailer. Here is the link to Amazon if you would like to learn more about the book.
Beyond Neutral: Quilts Inspired by Nature’s Elements John Q. Adams Martingale; $24.99
For long-time quilters, neutral meant muslin, off-white, cream or white fabric. Maybe you might venture to a light gray. At some point, quilters used black as a background. Neutral did not mean a color. In Beyond Neutral, John Q. Adams created 16 original quilt where he used the colors of nature as his inspiration for his neutral – no cream or white here. He organized his quilts around the themes of wind; earth; water; leaves and grass; and lava, coral, and stone. I loved the movement and freshness of his quilts. Some of my favorites: Canyonlands, inspired by a flock of starlings in flight with a peachy tan as a neutral; Katmai, which had its roots in a traditional block that kept growing; and Pacific Crest, with its image of flying birds on a navy background. You’ll find lots of inspiration in the book and you will look at neutrals differently, whether that is in using John’s patterns or your own creation.
Most quilters at some point need help with color and Christine Barnes offers the perfect way for you to gain color confidence. She found that when students took her workshops they wanted more color help, particularly in a group setting. That led to her creating a “color club,” where you can work with friends to explore color concepts and get feedback. She even offers tips if you want to work as a “color club of one.” The club works by following 12 hands-on exercises titled “Give It a Try!” In addition to the 12 exercises, Christine offers eight projects that build on what you’ve learned about color, including value, intensity, visual temperature, luminosity and more. The gallery section of the book features 35 examples of quilts and vests that demonstrate the color qualities. Christine also answers questions that she frequently gets from quilters about color. I loved Christine’s practical, easy-to-follow approach to understanding color concepts, and anyone who “joins the club” will see positive results in the color in her quilts.
Look for the book at your favorite quilt shop or book retailer. Here’s a link to Amazon if you would like to learn more about the book.
Quilt Market, the quilt industry’s premier trade show, took place in Minneapolis May 21-23. Minneapolis always seems to welcome us with warm weather and this year was no exception. Thursday, I think the temperature was in the low 80s. Here, in no particular order, are some of the things I discovered at Quilt Market:
1. Quilters Newsletter and Quilts Inc. presented the latest results of the Quilting in America™ 2010 survey. This is the sixth in a series of studies done since 1994 with the intent of measuring the amount of time and money quilters spend on their hobby in addition to profiling the key segments of the market. Some findings: Estimated dollar value of the quilting industry is $3.58 billion. Total quilters in the U.S. now exceeds 21 million. In 2010 dedicated quilters spent a total of nearly $2.5 billion. The dedicated quilter has $8,542 in quilting tools and supplies and owns on average $3,677 worth of fabric. Watch for more details on the survey findings in the Summer issue of The Professional Quilter.
2. Demos are becoming more popular and with good reason. Demos sell. If you don’t demo, here’s an idea I saw in the Thangles booth – use a digital frame to play a video. While the sound was low, you could watch what was happening. It’s another way to engage your booth visitor. MB Hayes with Thangles credits Fabric Café with the idea.
3. Do you want to keep your rotary blade sharp? Try The Cutting Edge ruler system from Sullivans and Pat Sloan. The ruler features full see-through, non-skid frosting and a unique red grid system that highlights the 1/2 inch marking. What is most unique about the ruler is it has an inlaid diamond powder edge that continually sharpens the blade that runs against its edge.
4. Ruffles, ruffles and more ruffles. Michael Miller Fabrics introduced white, raw-edge ruffles, cut on the bias at 3 inches. To showcase the idea, they had a tuffet made from ruffles. And, once I saw the ruffles here, I was seeing them lots of places, particularly on patterns.
5. Clover introduced a new wrap ‘n fuse piping. All you do is cut your fabric, wrap it around the piping, press to fuse and when cool, you have instant piping. It comes as small as 3/16 inches. Clover also introduced a line of eco-friendly bamboo handled notions.
6. Lots of wonderful fabrics: Rue Saint Germaine, Robyn Pandolph’s new line from RJR; an organic cotton line from Kauffman; Ricky Tims’ new Oodles of Doodles line from Red Rooster; Timeless Treasures‘ Tonga Treats, 2.5 inch strips and 10 inch squares from its Tonga Batiks line; a color wheel line from Avyln; wonderful new pieces from Kona Bay, Moda, Benartex; Clothworks, Northcott, and others. We are so lucky to have this much quality fabric to use.
7. Kaufmann has released an ipod app that’s a quilting calculator.
The International Association of Professional Quilters offers resources and networking opportunities for you to create a success from your quilting business. Learn about all the benefits of IAPQ membership and join here.
