I just returned from the International Quilt Market trade show in Houston, and my head is buzzing with ideas. There was so much to see: so many colorful booths filled with the latest fabrics, embellishments, and tools for quilt making.
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Stitch Editor Amber Eden (left) and I make
like mummies at International Quilt Market
in Houston. (Fabric by Moda) |
If you want to learn how to quilt, need quilting ideas or quilt projects, or see quilters and some of the people from some of your favorite quilting sites in the flesh, Houston is the place to be.
Of course, not everyone is able to make this fabric-lined pilgrimage to International Quilt Market (the trade show) or the International Quilt Festival itself (going on now). So I thought I'd give you a capsulized version of the trends I saw at while at Market. If I don't share it with you now, I might forget something!
Foxes are the new owls. The wise birds are still popular, but it was clear that foxes now rule the fabric art forest. I saw them everywhere, in fabric prints and as pillows and other quilt projects. Also, manufacturers are as sweet on cupcakes as ever: I saw fabric cupcake kits and cupcake-shaped buttons everywhere.
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| The winning EZ Dresden Challege quilt, by Jenny Cameron. |
Hand sewing is hot. Whether you like to embroider embellishments or you know how to make a quilt by hand, your time has come (back). Hand sewing kits, carryalls and supplies were featured in many vendors' booths.
Modern takes on traditional quilt making are still strong. The EZ Dresden Quilting Challenge display showed how to make quilt patterns modern, as did the many examples of modern hexagon and chevron piecing seen throughout the show floor.
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| Unfortunately, this sewing table and chair wouldn't fit into my suitcase. |
Color is not limited to fabric. I fell in love with the green sewing table, wildly patterned yet functional chairs, and other bright studio furniture and supplies. There will always be a place for white and beige, but I don't think it will be in my studio!
Finally, I think the most important information I brought home from my trip to International Quilt Market is that even though there are trends, there are more ways than ever to make a quilt unique.
One easy way to make a quilt your own is to apply surface design techniques. I saw a lot of surface design products at International Quilt Market, but you can't do better than Surface Design Starter Kits containing instructions and resources from the Quilting Daily Shop.
P.S. What trend in quilting do you like right now? What could you do without? Leave a comment below.
Filed under: Surface Design, How to Quilt, Quilting Designs, Fabric Art, Quilting For Beginners, Hand Sewing, Sewing Techniques, Quilt Patterns, Quilting, Quilting Techniques, Handmade Quilts