Time for some thoughts on Quilt Market.
And a few photos as well. I wish I had more but I only brought my Iphone and it was extremely challenging to get good shots in the convention center with a regular camera, let alone an Iphone. When you follow the long links list below, you'll come across many other QM blog posts with more photos. The photo above is of an artist designed building I fell in love with that stands just outside the entrance of the convention center. Reminded me of a quilt, just a little ;)
First let me explain why I am also titling this post 'cross-pollinating'. You see, here's what I realized about attending Quilt Market: just how little my fine artist/illustrator world knew about the quilting and sewing world. Experimenting with sewing over the last few years especially, I have always been intrigued but mostly intimidated and more accurately overly focused on my own bubble, to really keep up with what's happening in that bubble.
{Melody Miller modeling her new fabric line, Ruby start Rising, by Kokka}
Well, let me tell you there is A LOT happening in that bubble.
Back to this concept of 'cross-pollinating'. I am not talking about fertilizing a flower here. For some reason I just started describing my fine artist exploring the fiber arts world as cross-pollinating, meaning I have decided to learn about other creative worlds aside from exclusively focusing on mine. What's funny is that when I looked up the actual definition of this term, one is the "fertilizing of a flower" and the second one is this:
"To influence or inspire (another), especially in a reciprocal manner"
How perfect is that? Because that is exactly what happened. My weekend at Quilt Market left me inspired in so many ways. I can only hope I fulfilled the 'reciprocal manner' part of that definition for others.
{more fabric I love by Echino for Kokka, I so should have stolen Julie's fabric sample bundle when I had the chance!}
I've come to this realization before, even discussing it in my last e-course on creativity, but it did not really sink in until I was at Quilt Market. I now believe that one of the qualities of an especially strong artist is a willingness to explore other creative worlds, whether you try working in the medium or not {although that is ideal} just opening your mind to the possibilities that exist beyond your current awareness ~ is enough to inspire {or temporarily overwhelm} you immensely.
{Jan's awesome booth introducing Daisy Janie fabrics}
What is Quilt Market exactly? Well my new friend Julie has written about it here and Sarah Jane also wrote about it here.
What I want to say is that it is nothing like what I thought it would be. Having never quilted ever in my life... for some reason I thought this market was exclusively about quilts. Don't get me wrong, a large portion of it is dedicated to quilters, quilts and their tools of quilting but what is the biggest tool of all = FABRIC. Might have seemed obvious, but I just didn't realize that Quilt Market was also the place where all the Fabric Manufactures and Designers gather to share their new lines, twice a year. Well, that's not entirely true as my friend Lizzy has explained this to me before, and has also written about it in her e-book, {which you should run out I mean click over and get now if you are at all interested in learning more about this textile design world} I think it's the fact that it is called "Quilt" instead of "Fabric" market that has many people misunderstanding what a large part of it is about.
As fine artists/illustrators we all know about the licensing show called Surtex that happens once a year in New York. If Lizzy hadn't educated me on the details of Quilt Market as well as encouraged me to attend it {endless thanks to her}, it probably never would've crossed my radar.
{Another reason to love Lizzy. For the past few Markets she has been throwing a cake party. Why? she remembers what it was like to arrive at Quilt Market for the first time, not knowing anyone. So she decided to start having this party where everyone is invited, a chance to meet people, make new friends and have some cake!}
That's why I'm excited to share this with you now. Fine artist/illustrators who are interested in surface design, especially fabric, you need to visit Quilt Market.
{findings from Nifty Thrifty Dry Goods. bought myself some that brightly colored ric rac package}
Which brings me to the second part of this post and one of the main reasons for writing it besides my carrying on about cross-pollination ;) Ok. seriously. There are some of the most amazing women designers/artists seamstresses that show their work there. Again, maybe when you think of quilting you think of traditional. Nothing wrong with traditional and yes that exists but times have changed and with more fine artists transitioning into this world, the designs are incredible. And we're not just talking quilts people, we're talking handbags, embroidery patterns, crafting patterns, children's clothing, adult clothing, aprons ~ you name it.
{Anna Maria Horner showing one of her hand-sewn quilts at her school house presentation}
I could go on and on at this point, but I will let you explore for yourself. Below is a list of designers in order of my seeing/meeting them that I either already know, or had the pleasure of meeting them for the first time over Market weekend. Not only lovely work, but lovely, spirited people as well. Oh and not to mention, many of these women, have growing empires featuring their designs, but they also happen to have any where from 2 - 7 children. Yes, you read this correctly.
Julie Herman of Jaybird Quilts {my first time meeting Julie, she's good people ;) honest, incredibly hard working, quilting, blogging treasure trove of knowledge on sewing, quilting and ~ if you're a fan of fabric you are going to love her blog}
Betz White {my friend since my first time teaching at Squam. We were roomies. There is nothing Betz can't do. And you already know how much I love her book}
Jan Dicinto of Daisy Janie {finally met the lovely Jan, who not only designs but manufacturers gorgeous organic cotton fabrics. She debuted her line with her very first Quilt Market booth and she won a booth design award to boot!}
Lizzy House {someone I'm honored to know and call a friend, who also happens to design some of my all-time favorite fabric}
Cherri House {Lizzy's amazing momma ~ who also has the coolest quilting book, City Quilts}
Melody Miller {I also met Melody at Squam in my gocco printing class. Could not be a nicer human being, who totally hit her stride at Market this year. She had the most beautiful line of fabric make it's debut. An absolute favorite of mine.}
Allison {friend and major supporter of Melody, also one of my new favorite people}
Jana of IzzyandIvy {totally spirited designer of the cutest children's clothes (and she has 7 children!)}
Kathy Davis {has been an inspiration to me since I first came across her cards, she has been in the greeting card/licensing industry for over 20 years and is now designing fabric}
Patricia Zapata {a long time blog friend ~ such a talented lady who needs her own fabric line ASAP ~ so great to finally meet her too!}
Anna Maria Horner {this lady has 6 children, designs and hand sews her creations by hand. she is a phenom. enough said.}
Alexia Abegg {Anna Maria's wonderful, super talented assistant, also working on her own patterns & projects}
Sarah Jane {a fellow fine artist and illustrator, after three years of following her amazing work, and communicating back and forth via the interwebs, I finally met her, she could not be lovelier ~ fyi she has a new fabric line coming out in 2011}
Tula Pink {crazy cool, person, booth, illustrator/fabric designer}
Khristian {delightful! just like her orange patterned fabric through Anthology}
Jenean Morrison {a fishie!! I 'met' Jenean through my e-course and it was such a treat to meet her in person. She also debuted the most beautiful new line of fabric and with the help of her husband had one of the coolest booths around. In fact she won a booth design award! You must check out the bicycle}
Heather Bailey {another spirited phenom}
Meg of Sew Liberated {another friend I've known online, could not be sweeter. She and I made ornaments together at Betz's workshops ;) and I want Meg's book!}
Kate Spain {incredibly kind and giving person who's beautiful designs are literally everywhere from Target to Crate and Barrel}
Amy Butler {an inspiration to me since I first became aware of the movement of indie design online ~ the business she and her husband have built together. Incredible. And she doesn't even blog or tweet ;) I only had a brief chat with her and her friend in the ladies room of all places. She is just as lovely as you would imagine. And her booth = stunning}
Alyssa Thomas of Penguin and Fish {adorable embroidery patterns and I so want a kitty plush}
Kim of TrueUp {if you love fabric, you are going to love this lady and love her blog}
Trish of Two Peas in a Pod {another incredibly kind person, with the most adorable pattern designs for children's clothing}
And, two ladies I met who have fabric shops brick and mortar and online:
Deborah of Whipstitch {a pistol! smart as a whip! I had so much fun chatting with Deborah ~ she has a shop in Atlanta that I want to go take classes at, and a book, Stitch by Stitch, that I heard every sewer needs (especially beginners like me)}
Kristin of Sew, Mama, Sew! {Really enjoyed meeting her via a cab ride home. A group of us had the best discussion about the fabric marketplace and the pricing in said marketplace as well as my fine arts world's pricing}
Oh and last but not least, if this isn't enough, you can also buy vintage fabrics, findings, buttons at booths like this one Nifty Thrifty Dry Goods.
*whew* I think that's everyone. I hope I didn't miss anyone. I'm sure I did.
{this photo is courtesy of Sarah Jane. Amy's booth was a favorite of mine, had to share it with you and my picture did not turn out}
And so the big question? Will I be designing and selling fabric. YES! The details of how that will evolve to be revealed...
I'll be honest and say that it has taken me a while to adjust to the idea of selling my designs on fabric for other's to create with. But after this trip, I've never been so sure that it is indeed the next step for me. It makes perfect sense really, I am all about encouraging creativity in everyone and what better way to do that than to create a product that people can actually use to be creative with?
