I want to share with you the last 36 hours or so of the life of a pattern designer getting ready for Quilt Market.
My design studio, Threaded Pear Studio, has the opportunity to receive cuts of fabric from fabric companies, before it's official debut. We get to play and design with it. Fondle it. Hold it. Love it. Most of the time we have a couple weeks before market to
get make up a bunch of quilt samples!
However, the pressure was really on this Market...we have the opportunity to design patterns for Holly Holderman, of Lakeshouse Dry Goods, and received the goods on Wed and Thursday...literally, just a few days before we jump on a plane and head for Quilt Market.
So here is a snap shot of the last 36 hours at Threaded Pear Studio. A bit of a photo essay for your enjoyment. 
1. Get "hot off the press fabric" Fed-xed to the studio. (Received package one at 11:40 Wed. Package Two comes 24 hours later on Thursday.)
2. Need to make 7 quilts and 1 apron in 2 days. Call in all sewing favors and friends.
3. Wow! Super Cool fabric New From Holly at Lakeshouse. Fabric is so cool we decide we can make 8 quilts instead of 7. What?! Yup, it is that cool!
4. Cut. Sew Press. Repeat as needed.
5. Get them ready to quilt on my Gammill machines--- lucky we have 4 long arms in the next room at Cranberry Quiltworks, my Gammill Dealership.
6. Quilt. Quilt Quilt.
7. Make and sew on binding. Take home to hand bind while watching LOST.
8. Meet back at studio in the early am.
9. Quick take photos of finished or nearly finished products for brochure which needed to be at the printer last week.
10. Mission accomplished. Whew!
The above steps only works well when you have wonderful friends willing to do whatever it takes to get a quilt done! Plus, if you pay them off with the leftover fabrics--they sign up to do it all over again in 5 months.
Thanks to the cast and crew at Threaded Pear Studio and Cranberry Quiltworks for making it all possible! Hats off to Stephanie, Kaye, Cathy, Ginger, Joyce, Corni, Pat, Tina, Hal, and Carrie! And Pamala, Derryl, Rachel.
WE DID IT! Eight quilts. One apron. Start to finish in about a day and a half!
Thanks Holly for designing great fabrics and letting us play.
Sorry, we cannot show you the finished quilts just yet...they await their debut in a few days in the Lakehouse Dry Goods booth at Quilt Market.
This Friday at Quilt Market in Portland, Threaded Pear will launch 12 new quilt and apron patterns. Look for them on our website and at your favorite quilt shop.
comments
Gina-You guys rock! Nothing like deadlines to get it done! Looking forward to seeing all your new stuff at Market. And already have my apppointment set up to see Holly's new fabric! -Susan
Posted by: Susan | May 10, 2008 5:34 AM
Thanks Gina for letting me be part of the whirlwind of Threaded Pear. Even though it is alot of work we always have a lot of fun and we are already waiting for the next show and its whirlwind.
Posted by: Fairy Godmother | May 10, 2008 7:25 AM
I know what you mean about the speed sewing.. although this time Elizabeth did most of it!
Posted by: Pam | May 10, 2008 7:37 AM
Sounds exciting. So, what are steps 7 and 8? I'll be at Market this year (Jumping for Joy). I CAN NOT wait to see your new patterns. Thanks for you recent posts. They are GREAT.
Posted by: Phyllis in Sonoma | May 10, 2008 8:44 AM
I'm so jealous.. how fun for you..
Hope you can keep up the pace!!!
Enjoy have a great time.. can't wait to hear of your adventures and see pics..
Posted by: Pam | May 10, 2008 2:17 PM
hi gina,
thanks for visiting willow woods quilt guild today--you were awesome with all that info! i especially could identify with you telling us about how quickly the shelf life is for fabrics nowadays. when i go shopping on the internet at quiltshops.com and see that some fabrics i have and want some more of are totally gone, i know now that when i see something i need i should just buy it then and there and not wait. like marshall's, when it's gone, it's GONE! and thanks for all the nice giveaways, too; that was a pleasant and unexpected surprise! you are such an energetic and creative person--God has blessed you. my favorite quilt is the modern day diamonds. i am a scrappy quilter who loves to mix things up--kaffe fassett and amy butler are two of my favorite fabric designers so their fabrics are perfect for that pattern. my p.o. box is 4103, crestline, ca. 92325 Thanks again! lynn
Posted by: lynn garrahan | May 10, 2008 2:36 PM
Hi Gina,
Thank you for all the wonderful information at Willow Woods Quilt Guild today. I am a needlework teacher and I feel for your deadlines. My market is TNNA. Luckly needlework supplies don't change so fast. I am new to quilting and appreciate your insight into how fabric production works. Thanks for everything for the guild. Your patterns look like something I could do. P.O. Box 2852, Blue Jay, CA 92317 Thanks again, Carol
Posted by: Carol Higginbotham | May 10, 2008 4:22 PM
Hi Gina,
I enjoyed your presentation at the guild today. It was such a pleasure to have a speaker with so much energy and humor! Those are 2 invaluable qualities for a multi-tasking woman like yourself!
Thanks for the "give-aways", they were an unexpected treat. I absolutely loved the maxi log cabin quilt you made. I would love to make that quilt with batiks.
I hope you have a great time at the market! I really enjoyed reading your blog...it's bookmarked so I'll become a regular.
Thanks again, Sherry Schliskey P.O. Box 786 Cedar Glen Ca 92321
Posted by: Sherry Schliskey | May 10, 2008 10:36 PM
Gina, Thanks for the great presentation at Willow Woods on May 10th and the great gifts. Your marathon quilts are incredible. You are the deadline queen.
Posted by: Edith Miller | May 11, 2008 11:00 AM
Loved your Willow Woods Guild presentation on May 10th. Amazing time crunch on your quilt marathon. What a job! How you get all these things together and still have a family is beyond me.
Posted by: Edith Miller | May 11, 2008 11:05 AM
You guys are simply amazing! I worship you!!!
see you at market!
mary
Posted by: mary from utah | May 12, 2008 9:33 PM
Your Willow Woods presentation was just wonderful. It's a comfort to know I fit quite securly in the quilter's profile on many levels. I do have 2.5 sewing machines. My .5 machine is adorable. Your patterns looked terrific. I was charmed with Skipping Squares, the raw edge applique quilt and will try to find it in Jan's quilt shop.
Posted by: Susan Davis | May 16, 2008 10:42 AM