Wondering Wednesday Week 7
Quilt Market-Prairie Booth
I hope you guys all had a wonderful Thanksgiving break.
My girls had off through Monday–Elonie was back to school yesterday. I don’t know if I had mentioned that we are homeschooling Chloe?–so she didn’t do any school on Monday either. However, she and Ryan were hit with the flu bug after Thanksgiving. Chloe wasn’t up to school yesterday but hopefully by the time you read this she is doing much better! (and no one else has been hit with the bug!)
Today’s question is a fun one:
Pat asks: “I was wondering…as a Moda designer, Is it mandatory or highly encouraged for you to attend Market twice a year unless you are excused (sounds like we’re back in grade school)? Is it more important that you attend if you are showing a new collection? Sounds like a whirlwind few days, I’d love to hear any Market stories you’d like to share. Thanks!”
Quilt Market-Sundrops Booth
Answer: First off, for those of you unfamiliar with quilt market, it is an industry event not open to the public held twice a year (once in the spring and once in the fall). It’s a time when new fabrics, notions, books, (all things sewing related) are shown to quilt shops for purchase for the shops to receive in the coming months.
Quilt Market-Flower Mill Booth
Moda does not require us to attend quilt market but I do think it is advantageous to do so. The first quilt market I attended was in 2014 when my book Playful Petals
Quilt Market-Sunnyside Up booth
The following spring, 2015, I attended quit market again. This time it was because I was showing my first fabric line, Prairie. You can see my Prairie booth at the top of the page. Again, super intimidating experience!–I was so thankful for a phone call I had with Vanessa. She answered all of my questions…what does the booth look like?, how do I attach quilts?, do I need to bring furniture?, what about patterns/business cards, sales sheets?…and the list goes on.
This was also the quilt market that I got to meet Sherri in real life and her daughter Chelsi as their first lines came out that market. Betsy Chutchian and Beth of 1 Canoe 2 also had their first lines coming out. It was so much fun getting to meet all of them and to share having our first fabric lines release at the same time.
Quilt Market Booth-Strawberry Jam
But now, quilt market is not intimidating at all–and so much fun! I had to miss out this fall–it’s only the 2nd one that I haven’t attended since I began designing fabric. I had some larger deadlines that just didn’t allow it to work. (one of those just got wrapped up yesterday–so I am one happy girl!)
Aside from showing our fabrics to quilt shop owners, there is quite a bit of networking and brainstorming that happens at quilt market. By not attending market, I feel like I miss out on a lot of this…plus I don’t get to see my fabric friends! We Moda designers are all a pretty close bunch and only getting to see them twice a year doesn’t feel like enough!
Quilt market Booth-Pepper & Flax
I am already looking forward to quilt market this spring, 2020 again in Pittsburgh. I can’t wait to catch up and see everyone. Plus seeing all of the beautiful booths and creativity everywhere…I literally pinch myself every quilt market I attend because I just feel so lucky to get to be there.
Thanks so much for an awesome question Pat! If you or anyone else has any other quilt market questions (or any other questions) leave them in the comments and I’ll answer them in a future Wondering Wednesday post.
Following up on the Market questions, do you mostly stay in your booth and answer questions about your new line, or are you free to walk around and socialize? Are you responsible for decorating your booth, or do the Moda people take care of that with you just supplying oodles of samples? What about the schoolhouse sessions…do you volunteer for that or are you told it’s your turn to teach a class? From the photos I’ve seen it looks like you designers have a great time at Market with the president and parties and such. It must be a whirlwind couple of days! One last question…how long do you have between the time you receive your new fabric line and the market to sew up all things on display in your booth? Thanks for answering my nosy questions! I’d love to attend the Houston quilt festival one day.
I have two questions for you:
1- How do you choose backing for your quilts? Should we try to match the front or match the quilting thread or what?
2- Do you ever feel like you only have time to sew with your own fabric lines and that you don’t have time to just sew with fabric just for fun? For instance, you want to make a fall themed quilt or a Christmas quilt, but you can’t because you have quilts to make from your new fabric line or you have to come up with a new pattern??
Thanks!
I hope your Daughter is feeling better, even if it’s to go back to school! I to have been bitten by that bug. Thanks so much for a little insight to Market. I know it is exciting for us, even if we can’t go.
Do you think you can have a 108 inch backing for your next fabric line ? I just adore your color palette.
Hello Corey, I love your work and fabrics! Their bright, sweet colors and patterns bring cheer to my life! As a follow up to an earlier Wondering Wednesday, keep the yellow coming! I love yellow. I’d like to make a quilt featuring yellow and white. Do you have any recommendations for a two toned quilt in your sunny yellows? Thank you! Jillene
I always so enjoy your Wondering Wednesday posts – thank you, Corey! Also spotted your Sugarcreek line in one of our local quilt shops – I just had to buy some :)!
How did you get started as a fabric designer?
I’ve been noticing the quilting on your quilts. Who does your quilting and is it possible to contact that person?–or don’t they take “outside” jobs?