Presentation is what it is all about at Quilt Market…Hours and hours are spent designing and creating backdrops, props and display items. Full crates and pallets are sent to Quilt Market days before the event. We sent 15 giant boxes UPS to our hotel.
Moda Fabrics, for example sent two semi trucks full of goods from their warehouse in
The girls of Lizzie B Cre8tive scouted out junk stores and salvage shops and flew in the day before the show and began to buy their display items—smart! They scored a pair of antique doors, and old window and a wash tub. At the end of the show, instead of hauling their goods back home, they will donate their items back to charity and get a tax write off!
Ikea was conveniently located next to the airport and on the way to the Convention Center, many of the vendors, including us, bought their last minute doo-dads, shelving, tables and even beds there. (A trick we learned at last market from Joanna Figueroa.)
And my designer friend, Anna Maria Horner, sent out a plea to her blogging audience that lived in the
Anna Marie was willing to donate yards and yards of her fabric for a chair “make over” if she could borrow the chairs for her booth display—very smart. She had a big response, found just what she wanted and two chairs we re-born in her new “Drawing Room” fabric line and were stunning in her award display. Through her request of display items on her blog, she also scored a fantastic garden bench
which fit in perfectly on the other side of her booth featuring her “Garden Party” fabric line. Yup, she has TWO new lines of fabric at this market and has a book ready to come out. Busy, busy girl.
Holly Holderman, of Lakehouse Fabrics show me her tip for creating great displays with which added height by using several metal floral vases turned upside down to create a giant three tiered display rack. Stunning! And, I might add a cute table topper we created for her called “Daisy Dew Drop”.
Double sided tape, duck tape and a hot glue guns were the heavily used at this event. Once the booths were set up and display items in place, more hours were spent “fluffing” and arranging the booths—putting the final presentation touches on quilts, pillows, notions etc. One of our quilts was beautifully “fluffed” and arranged in Moda’s booth and Deb “Ducky” taught me how to “wad” up a quilt to look cool.
I learned a bunch at this Market. Stay tuned…for my guest interviews.
comments
Oh my gosh I have those exact wing back chairs and I need them recovered!!! Too bad I live in Utah and not Portland. They are fabulous. Great coverage on quilt market for all of us who wish we were there.
Posted by: Nanette | May 18, 2008 6:54 PM
Stand by - there is more to come. I have some great video of School House, Sample Spree and the show in general.
Posted by: Gina | May 19, 2008 10:00 AM
I wish I had shipped my stuff... I am finally home with my 4 suitcases full of my booth and all my crap (thankfully I had 5 lbs. to spare!!)and a sore back!!! But I also have a TON of fun memories! It was great to meet you Gina you are awesome!!!
Mary
Posted by: mary from utah | May 19, 2008 7:39 PM
I am amazed at how great some of the booths were. Yours look awesome, I loved the cheery colors. My favorite thing in your booth were the rugs. Those chairs in Anna Maria's booth were to die for as well!
Posted by: Molly | May 19, 2008 8:07 PM
Thanks for the great coverage! Were you a reporter in a previous life? You have a knack for picking out the news.
Posted by: Alma | May 20, 2008 2:00 PM
Sample Spree HELP!!! I was at Sample Spree. I saw these really cute fabric bags/totes and I want the pattern! But I can't remember who the company was!? They were little bigger than a lunch sack but about the same shape, with a rope handle I believe. They were selling them with 12 patterns for the bag inside for $80 I think. I cannot remember who the company was, and I really want to get the pattern. Ring a bell with you ????
Posted by: Jodi | May 20, 2008 2:33 PM
Yes, I was a reporter in my single life at newspapers in the Salt Lake City and Provo areas!
Posted by: Gina | May 20, 2008 2:59 PM
Yes, I was a reporter in my single life at newspapers in the Salt Lake City and Provo areas!
Posted by: Gina | May 20, 2008 3:03 PM
Jodi,
The bags from sample spree are from Lizzy B Crea8tive http://shoplizzieb.com/. I worte about them a few posts ago...check the story out as well.
They were very cute!
Gina
Posted by: Gina Halladay | May 20, 2008 5:16 PM
Hey Gina, so glad I got to meet you in person in Portland. Hope the show went well for you... Portland was a gas, we are still out on the west coast in Seattle... it is dreamy.
Posted by: Amy | May 21, 2008 8:27 AM
Your booth was great as usual! Love the new patterns and will be placing an order shortly!!!
Posted by: kris | May 21, 2008 2:45 PM
Yes, I was a reporter in my single life at newspapers in the Salt Lake City and Provo areas!
Posted by: Gina | May 21, 2008 3:39 PM
Hi Guys! You need to remember that I am binder extraordinare! Can't wait to see the new patterns, some fabulous new fabrics out there to inspire as well! Glad to see all is moving along at your usual warp speed!
Posted by: Mary Ann | May 21, 2008 8:26 PM
Gina, it was so fun to meet you at Market! So glad we got to share a table at the Moda Party, but next time, I'm going to steal the seat next to you so I can actually hear you! Next market, we've got to party!
Posted by: Camille | May 23, 2008 10:15 PM