Several of the Quiltmaker staff were in Houston for International Quilt Market recently. We each had a different agenda—I got to visit with designers. It’s nice to reconnect with designers from past issues of Quiltmaker and QM’s 100 Blocks, but it’s also great to meet new ones and see what they’re bringing to the quilting community.
We started Friday night with Sample Spree—it’s an opportunity for quilt store owners and their staffs to purchase products before the show opens. It’s always a crazy time with people lining up several hours before the doors open.
Sample Spree, doors just opened
Sample Spree
Before it got too crowded, I had a chance to see a couple of our designers.
Lynette Anderson
Lynette Anderson has had blocks in 100 Blocks, volumes 1, 3 and 4. Check out the cute slippers she’s holding!
Karla and Lisa of Sweetwater
Karla Eisenach of Sweetwater had a block in 100 Blocks, volume 1. See that face poking out behind Lisa? That’s Michael, Edyta Sitar‘s husband getting into the act.
Market started on Saturday. At the George Brown Convention Center, there were 23 aisles filled with designers, fabric companies, notions companies and more, all promoting their newest products. Here are a few of the designers I visited with.
Julie Herman and me
Julie Herman of Jaybird Quilts stopped by our booth. She’s had quilts in a couple of regular issues of Quiltmaker, plus blocks in 100 Blocks, volumes 2 and 3.
Celine Perkins and Susan Knapp
Celine Perkins of Perkins Dry Goods has been in a regular issue of Quiltmaker. Both she and Susan Knapp have had blocks in 100 Blocks.
Susan Marth
Susan Marth has had blocks in 100 Blocks, volumes 2, 3 and 4.
Sue Daley
Sue Daley had a block in 100 Blocks, volume 2.
Robin Koehler
Robin Koehler had a block in 100 Blocks, volume 2.
Sue Marsh
Sue Marsh of Whistlepig Creek has been in several issues of Quiltmaker and has had blocks in 100 Blocks, volumes 1 and 4.
Arlene Stamper and Melissa Harris
Arlene Stamper and Melissa Harris have had blocks in 100 Blocks, volumes 2 and 3.
Debbie Caffrey
Debbie Caffrey designed our 2011 mystery quilt Secret Window and had a block in 100 Blocks, volume 3. And, yes, that’s a spider on her head. It was Halloween after all!
Jo Morton
Jo Morton has been in several regular issues of Quiltmaker and had blocks in 100 Blocks, volumes 2 and 4.
Chris Hoover
Chris Hoover of Whirligig Designs has had blocks in 100 Blocks, volumes 1 and 4.
Thomas Knauer
Thomas Knauer designs fabric for Andover and we’ll be featuring his newest collection, Pear Tree, in a quilt in our March/April ’12 issue.
Judy Martin
This is Judy Martin, block and quilt designer extraordinaire. Did you know that Judy has designed well over 900 blocks and quilts and that years ago, she used to work for Quiltmaker and our sister publication Quilter’s Newsletter? We had a wonderful dinner with Judy and her husband Steve one night. You’ll be seeing more from Judy in upcoming issues of Quiltmaker and 100 Blocks.
Whew! That’s a lot, and it doesn’t cover half of who I saw at market. You’ll be seeing more from these designers and many others in future issues of Quiltmaker, as we work hard to keep great quilt ideas coming your way!
