Quilt Market Report (Day 1): Blurry, Happy People

Quilt Market — what a whirlwind! I laughed, I cried, I talked about fabric for three days straight.

Let me introduce you to some of the cast of characters:

Kim from True Up
Kim and I quickly hooked up and palled around almost the entire time. It was so nice to have someone to kick around with while my other gal pals were tied their work. I got to listen in on her interviews with designers and fabric companies about their new lines. We drank overpriced smoothies and ate something they claimed was pizza. We marveled at the lack of vegetarian offerings in the salad section. I'd say we were muy simpático.

Pam from Pam Kitty Morning
Pam and I live close enough to visit on a regular basis, but have never met. It took Quilt Market to get us together, but I'm sure we'll be talking about cats over coffee in the near future. Pam and I were fast friends. She's a generous and invaluable source of trade information from the quilter/quilt store perspective. Need some Celebrity Stunt Sewing? Pam's your gal. Here's Pam with Anna Maria Horner.

Melissa Averinos from Yummy Goods
Melissa was one of the first bloggers that I got to meet up with. Not only is Melissa a part of the blog world, she also just debuted her first fabric line with FreeSpirit/Westminster. We saw a lot of each other because the Westminster row was a great place to be with Kaffe Fassett, Heather Ross, Amy Butler, Heather Bailey, Jay McCarroll, Tina Givens and other wonderful designers.

Kaffe Fassett
What's to say? He's a legend. He's the king of color. He's the ultimate fiber artist.

Kathy Miller of Michael Miller Fabrics
What an interesting woman! — and, very generous with her time. I loved hearing her talk about the fabric business. In a world that was/is slow to accept fabric online, Kathy is an early adapter and has boosted her blog by having veteran craft blogger, Joanna, from Stardust Shoes, as a guest blogger. She's a stickler for quality and described her process of getting the best and most consistent black inks. Her new Flower Fairies line is sweetly nostalgic with great reproduction quality. And, don't forget Michael Miller is also one of the first companies with an organic line.

Nicole & Phillip of Alexander Henry
If I was in search of a new BFF, Nicole from Alexander Henry would be at the top of the list. I didn't know we were talking with one of the owner/designers when Kim and I approached their booth. We started off with talking about our no-waist having selves, moved on to toddlers in the workplace, and finished with her description of their company's "analog" style of design. All of their work is hand painted in watercolor or inks. It was a refreshing combination of traditional quality with hipster sophistication. Nicole and her brother Phillip, who was by far the best dressed man at market, have taken over their father's company and are doing great things with it. Their company is refreshingly individualistic — no design-by-committee there.

Amy Butler & gang.
My first day at Quilt Market ended with cocktails at Four Seasons with Amy Butler, Heather Ross, Liesl from Oliver & S, Kim from True Up, Brooke from inchmark (graphic designer for Heather and Liesl, as well as former senior art director for Martha Stewart Kids and MSL — geesh!), and Melanie Falick and Mary Wowk from HNA/Stewart, Tabori, Chang/STC Craft: Melanie Falick Books. I drank a long, tall Texan beer and got to be in the company of intelligent, talented, and powerful women.

All of this because Heather let me tag along. Thank you, so much, H.

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Stay tuned for Quilt Market, Days 2 & 3.