Some Crazy Happenings at Quilt Market

Each Market there is an event called “Sample Spree” which is an opportunity for quilt shop owners to buy samples of quilts, patterns and fabric lines. In theory, for example, a shop owner can pick up a fat quarter pack of a new fabric which they may not actually receive in their shop for another 3 or 4 months.

It is a chance for them to give a quick “show and tell” to their customers about new lines coming, quilt samples can be made from these fat quarter packs and they can pin up the quilt sample the day the fabric arrives from the UPS man.  (See Stephanie and I with our Tutto bag loaded and strapped with a big bag of samples and fabric.)

Sample Spree sale begins at 8 p.m on the opening night (after an all-day session of classes) of Market. People start lining up to get in the doors at 3 p.m.—they camp out with their diet cokes and sewing projects in hand.

Friendships are kindled. Territories are marked. Quilters are sitting on the floor—(because chairs could be a big hazard when the doors open) and the line goes on for what seems like a mile. For crowd control, tickets are sold to attend the Sample Spree event. And, I must admit, you feel pretty special to have been one of the early registrants and to get a ticket and a chance to get your hands on the “sample spree goods”. 

(The photo series below shows Moda reps setting up, getting ready, during the frenzy and the aftermath of sample spree.)

Eleanor Burns stopped by to say “Hi” to all the quilters on the floor…and handed out bottles of water with her own personal label on it advertising her new book…she is no dummy and knows how to take advantage of a bored and thirsty captive audience. Everyone cheered for her and the freebie.

Right before the doors open, an announcement is made to the vendors at the spree…”Ten minutes until the doors are open”…”Five minutes…” and “the shoppers have entered the building” as if you needed to put on protective headgear or something.

Most of the mob heads first to the Moda booth. Actually, almost all head as fast as they can to the Moda booth. Just imagine grandma quilter ladies in a full sprint…it is truly something to see.

Fabric is flying as the Moda sales reps load bags and bags of fat quarter bundles into the festive fabric bags Moda made just for this event. (Moda makes a new Sample Spree Bag for every Market. If you get one it is sort of like getting a trophy.) And if the fabric happens to sell out before you can get your hands on it…most are pretty satisfied to just buy a Moda fabric bag for $5—just so they can say they survived the fabric frenzy of sample spree.

Oh yeah, there are about 100 or so other vendors at Sample Spree. And eventually all the attendees shop at each one of the booths in the 2-hour event.

But nobody does Sample Spree like Moda.

Ask your shop owner to “show and tell” all new patterns, fabrics and goodies they got at sample spree—I think most survived. And ask to see their “Moda bag trophy”.