Houston, We have Landed Sewing Machines Parts and Sales in Los Angeles

I know this is a few months past.. but it took me a while to process all the amazing things/feelings that is Houston Quilt Market.

First trip  is in the books,  walking through those convention doors, the mass amount of space that was in front of me, the twisting isles of fabric, quilts, notions, clothing, tools, designers and industry professional… totally overwhelming. But exciting and inspiring at the same time.

Making sure I have everything with me to make sure I can get in :0

Bags are packed and ready to go

My Charlotte transfer

At the Houston airport, ready to get this adventure started.. coffee was totally needed

Day 1

I got to meet up with Yolanda from Sew!; She owns a shop in Houston where she teaches people to sew. She took me to her shop and showed me around Houston, then took me to the convention center and was going to meet up with me for Fabric 2.0.  If you are in ever in Houston, you really should check out her studio!

Got myself registered, then went to look for everyone. Then realized I was on the wrong side of the convention center, started walking towards the correct side and  was looking for Sandi Sawa Hazelwood, who is The Crafty Planner, she runs the coolest podcast! It was also, her first quilt market.

Registration

My BADGE!

Lunch during School House

Sandi and Jesy at Fabric 2.0

As we were trying to figure out where I,  and where she was sitting;  I was sidetracked by Sara Lawson, of Sew Sweetness.  I sat down and ended out talking to her for about 2 hours between all the amazing designers, authors and more that would come through.

Went to Fabric 2.0, which is a meet and greet of the professionals that were attending market. I met so many amazing people, Arleen from Birch Organics, FINALLY met up with Sandi, Vanessa of Crafty Gemini, Art Gallery folks, Lucky Spool authors, Yolanda from Sew, and of course Brenda and her awesome Pink Castle Fabrics Group.

Day 2 – MARKET! OMG

It is the most amazing experience you can imagine if you love fabric, notions, tools, new techniques and books!.. (and so much more)

I was so emerged in my experience at market, that I forgot to take a lot of photos. I am trying to live more in the moment, instead of having to document all my adventures. Plus it was my first year at market, so I wasn’t sure of the proper etiquette for all of that stuff. I didn’t want be in people’s faces trying to snap photo’s all of the time.

I walked around Market with Sandi, we met up with a few designers, pattern makers and authors. I learned SO much in that one day about the industry the people and how crazy and fantastic everything is at the same time.  I got to block print at the Lucky Spool booth and meet Krista Fleckenstein author of Beyond Cotton.  I met up with the Birch Organics group again at their amazing booth, the amount of onesies from all of their organic cotton knits, were phenomenal!

Lizzy House showed me all of her new substrates that were coming out through Andover Fabric, I bumped into Jamie and Amber of Fancy Tiger Craft.  Anita from Sew to Speak, Violet Craft, Heather Givens from Crimson Tate.. just have to say I was a kid in a candy store!

Sandi and Brenda Stamping Fabrics

Birch Organics Booth

Lizzy House fabrics

Beautiful fabrics everywhere!

One of the envelopes for her fun venture

Paper Obessed Thank You’s – I sent in 3 envelopes

Crimson Tate Booth

Fun Terry Knit Hedgehogs

Beautiful Japanese Linens

SO inspiring

CATS!

Patterns by Sew Liberated

The amount of talent and ambition in the convention center that weekend, is a feeling I can’t put into words.  It electrifies you, elevates you and inspires. It’s So COOL!

Day 3 – Back to Ohio

The whole day 2, it was raining in Houston. Day 3 – the trip back home was no different. We were getting some crazy amounts of rain! Luckily I was able to get to my plane and leave on time. Did you know that in Houston, the highways are built under sea level.. so they fill up quick when there is a lot of water… Alas I was on my plan by 6:15 and back home in Dayton, OH by 3pm EST.

The trip is something that I will definitely be striving to go to year after year. It’s nothing but a HUGE benefit for small shops like ours.

Spring Market is in May, and I will be taking my short vacation to Salt Lake City, Utah this spring to reunite with my kindred spirits in sewing.  If you are able to go to the quilt market, I would highly recommend it as a small business owner. It’s always great to meet the designers, pattern makers, and employees that you talk to all the time when ordering.  It makes a huge difference.

So off to Market in the Spring. I promise to take more photos!

What do you want to see from Market this year? What can we bring into the shop? Leave us comments.