Thursday, October 31, 2019

Quilt Market: Schoolhouse with Tula Pink

Quilt Market is the biggest quilt event of the year for everyone who works in the quilt industry including authors, pattern designers, fabric reps, notions developers, teachers, quilt shop owners, distributors, and everyone else I neglected to mention that has something to do with my favorite creative endeavor.

The day before Market officially begins, a Schoolhouse is held. During Schoolhouse, attendees choose from an assortment of presentations for each of a series of short sessions introducing the latest advances in the quilting industry.

Everyone is together for the premiere schoolhouse session. This year, Tula laid out her plans for sewing world domination, one vibrant rainbow unicorn notion at a time. Even though I have deciphered her plan to form a utopian colony called Pinkerville, it did not deter me from fantasizing about when my pins and USB sticks can take the shape and form of mythological creatures. Her new fabric line for FreeSpirit, HomeMade, teaches us every quilting journey is happier in rainbow vibrancy. Each print is a reminder that any and every sewing notion your little heart desires comes in Pink.



The attention to detail is intense. For example, this quilt pattern displays the decorative stitches on Bernina machines, such as Tula's Special Edition 770 QE.


Tula's given the whole "Support Your Local Quilt Shop" mantra a flip. Clever!


A hoard of ByAnnie's bags were present.


Colors sorted by warm and cool always make me 😍!


This quilt and I have a lot in common. Well, we both have color-sorted rows of Aurifil thread anyhow.


So, are you with me in joining Tula's empire of creative goodness?

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Wednesday, October 30, 2019

Quilt Shop Tours: Southwest Decoratives of Albuquerque, NM

There are few things that bring me greater joy that immersing myself in an array of beautiful fabrics, so any excuse to check out local quilt shops works for me. Today I'd like to introduce you to Southwest Decoratives.


It specializes in beautiful, unique patterns and kits with a regional theme. Many classes taught by experts in the field are offered. I recommend Michelle Jackson's Light the Way with Color class.


Regardless of if you're #nmtrue or not, Southwest Decoratives has fabrics to delight all aesthetics. Just look at this exemplary batik section!



As a mother of four kids who haven't hit middle school yet (thank goodness because my heart isn't ready for all that growing up), I appreciate the sweet children's area that makes my shopping a lot less hurried. Mary Jo, the owner is a grandma, so she knows what's what regarding little ones.


Moreover, she's a forward-thinking business owner who provided guidance at the beginning of my journey as a quilt pattern designer, which I greatly appreciate. Speaking of, she carries my Baltimore Album-style appliqué quilt pattern, Enchanted New Mexico (middle on the far left, in good company with Michelle J. Watts).


Southwest Decoratives carries Elna machines, and offers long-arm services.


Local pattern designer Elizabeth Whitehead designed Up and Away! using a Hoffman panel, which is reminiscent of our biggest event of the year, the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta.


Currently they are having a serious clearance so I found many mark downs. If you are anywhere nearby, I recommend checking out their Halloween sale. It's totally worth dressing up in costume to get 50% off one item!


Below are some of my personal favorites, check out the details on my IG feed.


 

So do you have a taste for the SW? How would you describe your personal quilting aesthetic?

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