Fall Quilt Market

On Point Quilter Booth at Market

I just got back from my first ever Houston Quilt Market. Quilt Market is the international trade show for the quilting industry and is held twice a year.  The fall one is always in Houston and the spring one rotates around the country.

Elizabeth and Kari ready for Shop Owners

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I was nervous going into the show -- but I really didn't need to be.  I picked up my friend Elizabeth in Dallas who helped me vend during the show and when I got to Houston I was able to meet up with members of my Creative Arts Business Group.  This group is incredibly supportive and made me feel like I was among friends while navigating this new venture for me.  

​If you are thinking about a career in quilting, I would definitely recommend Morna and this group.  Here are a few links to check out to get started.

• Business Summit in Washington DC  (I have been twice and am signed up for 2016)
• Elevating Membership

• Emerging Membership

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Impressions

I didn't have much time to see the larger market, but I thought I would at least share my impressions of the show.  

• Modern fabric is definitely in -- but shops are still interested in traditional designs.  I had a wall with my quilts made in more modern fabrics.  Customers definitely gravitated toward those quilts.

The Row by Row experience continues to be popular.  The theme for 2016 will be "Home Sweet Home".  I am already thinking about a number of new designs using Electric Quilt.

• Speaking of Electric Quilt, Sara (from EQ) stopped by my booth and offered me a T-shirt to celebrate their 25th anniversary.  It sounds like they are planning a big celebration in 2016.  More to come on this.
• Theo van der Heijden from Art and Stitch was also there and I had a chance to talk to him a bit about what they are currently working on.
• Fat Quarter Gypsy's Pop Up patterns were definitely the rage.  Here is a photo of her booth.  Notice the pop-up in my hands.  This one combines her Medium Pop-up pattern (and spring) with blocks from Let's Go Fly a Kite.

Dorothy (Joanne's mother), Rose Hall, Joanne Harrison Hillestad and me in Fat Quarter Gypsy's booth.

Are you interested in the free supplemental pattern which shows how to combine my blocks into a unit that may be pieced into JoAnn's pop-up.  Click here.

Weather

 I had a chance to experience my first hurricane.  Being from North Dakota and Minnesota, I have lots of tornado and blizzard stories.  Now I can add a hurricane to the list.

Houston was actually on the tail end of the hurricane -- so  lots of rain and some flooding -- but no real hurricane.  I did blow out an umbrella trying to walk back to my hotel from dinner one night.

On Point Quilter Booth Close-Ups

On Point Quilter Mystery Program

You may have noticed some detectives on a few of my quilts. That means the quilt pattern would also make a good mystery for either a shop or a guild.  Here is how my mystery program works.

1. Purchase a minimum of ten mystery patterns (and commit to purchase additional patterns equal to participant count at the event).
2. On Point Quilter will send you a Mystery Event Package that includes (1) a file with all the pre-work and individual clues for your event.  (Just print off the number you need); (2) Electric Quilt 7 file for creating coloration options; and (3) tip sheet for a successful event
3. Piece a sample quilt or borrow one of my trunk show quilts for your sample during the event.  (Subject to availability.)

  4.  Provide a full pattern to participants at the end of the event.

If you are interested in using one of my mystery quilt patterns in your shop or for a mystery event at your guild, please drop me a note at [email protected]

Love your Electric Quilt Private Coaching Program

I know that you may be ready to make the commitment to expand your knowledge and use of Electric Quilt.  I have openings in my schedule starting in January and will be taking on a limited number of private coaching clients to work with in expanding your Electric Quilt technical skills.

Opening are still available.  Early bird discounts have been extended to November 10th as life has been a bit hectic on my end and I've been slow at responding to e-mails.

​Read more about the program here.  (PS -- This could be tailored to Art and Stitch as well.)

Happy quilting.

​Kari