I've just returned from Salt Lake City where I attended the Spring Quilt Market 2016. For those of you that haven't been, it's the wholesale market where publishers, fabric designers, tools and notions distributors, sewing machine manufacturers and anyone who sells anything in the quilting world, puts their products on display. Quilt shop owners, buyers and anyone who works in the quilting retail world attends the show to see what's new. So it's kind of like cramming everything quilting related into one giant convention hall and then throwing a party!
It's wonderful and
overwhelming and crazy all at the same time. I had a great time while I was
there, but I know I didn't see everything and I certainly didn't meet everyone.
I do feel like I had a successful trip and got the things accomplished that I wanted
to. So here's the top ten things I learned while I was at market (I learned
lots more, but you don't want to read all of it, trust me!)
1. Wear comfortable shoes
There's a ton of walking
to be done at market. My hotel was across the street from the convention hall,
but once inside the convention center is where the walking begins. It's huge. I
kind of wish I had worn my fitbit just to log the steps. So wear comfortable
walking shoes. And I find it helpful to wear a different pair each day, to give
my feet a little variety. It seems to help.
2. Bring your own snacks
There were snacks and
food available, and there were even healthy choices. I will admit I'm kind of
sad that I had to pay $8 for a tuna sandwich and $3 for a hard boiled egg.
Think of the fabric that could have bought? So plan ahead and pack a few snacks
or grab some at Starbucks on your way to the convention center.
3. Make a List
Organization is key to
getting a lot done in a short amount of time with more distractions than you
can possibly imagine. Make a list of things you want to look at and people you
want to speak to before you leave home. Then refer back to your list often,
because you will get distracted!
4. Map out a plan
As soon as you check in
at market, you will be given the show book with the layout of the booths and
information. Find a quiet place to sit down and study this. Mark the map with
the places you must not miss. Also, find out where the classes will be and
schoolhouse sessions, and sample spree, etc. You'll be glad you are familiar
with this when you are rushing to the next event.
5. Schoolhouse
This event is held the
day before market opens and is geared mainly toward quilt shop owners. The
classes are 30 minutes long and the schedule is ongoing all day long. The menu
of classes, locations and times is not available until the morning of schoolhouse.
So plan to arrive early and make your selections ahead of time. There are about
a dozen choices for each time period, so you can't see them all. It's best to
just select your favorite for each time period and then go back and verify that
you're not missing something important. You can expect free promotional
materials at the door as you enter, you will also drop a business card in a
basket for a drawing at the end of class. So bring LOTS of business cards.
You'll be swapping them with everyone you meet as well. Then a presenter (or
two or three) will pitch their product, book, etc. They are like fun little
infomercials with prizes! I attended several before and after I presented my
own.
6. Sample Spree
This event is really
hard to describe. It takes place the night of Schoolhouse or the first night of
market. It begins at 7pm but folks start lining up in the early afternoon. This
is not necessary. The fabric and thread companies will have loads of inventory
stacked high on tables. People swarm to their favorites and buy up as much
stuff as they can, as fast as they can because the prices are at or near
wholesale. The products will not be shipping to stores for months, so getting
to sew with the fabrics ahead of time is great for store samples or just for
bragging rights. I did buy some fabric and thread. I would have happily bought
more but I set a budget and stuck to it. Also, I knew my suitcase space was
limited. See #10 below.
7. Meet & Greet
I think this is the most
important aspect of market. You can email and text all day long. Meeting people
face to face gives relationships so much more meaning. I was able to meet all
of the magazine editors that have published my quilts. I was able to meet the
people at C&T that I've worked with for two years but never met in person.
I also got to meet fellow authors. I can't express how important it was to meet
people who have been through the same process as I have and realize that my
experiences were very similar to theirs. I found out that it's normal to have
no idea what's going on, or how things work, or who to ask. That's just the
nature of the game. But now I am relieved to know that it wasn't me failing to
make the right inquiries or connections. Being an author is a very solitary
experience and there are no co-workers. There's no one to talk to or to bounce
ideas off of. It's up to you and only you, period. I honestly have no idea why
I ever expected it to be any different!
8. Trends and colors
Market is a great place
to spot trends and see what colors will be available and trending in the next
year. It's also a great place to get ideas for marketing materials and branding
information. I walked around looking at pattern covers to see what the styles are
for those. I want to rebrand my pattern covers and while I don't want them to
look just like everyone else's, I do want them to appear current and be
comparable to others on the market. It's also fun to see what colors and fabric
prints will be popular. I'm happy to report that bright clear colors and light
prints are trending. Gorgeous prints that will look fabulous in patchwork and
applique. Woohoo!
9. Be realistic
You've seen the photos
on Instagram and Facebook of gorgeous booths, smiling faces and large dinner
parties. All that happens at market. But it may not happen to you. I ate dinner
alone every night, and that's okay. I was tired and probably wouldn't have been
a great conversationalist. The companies I work with don't host dinner parties
or plan social events. But if you do want to party at market, hook yourself up
with Moda. They know how to throw a party! Their event was held at my hotel and
I had fun just peeking in the door and seeing the decorations! But hey, my
hotel gave out free cookies every day at 5pm, so I had a free to look forward
to!
10. Bring an extra suitcase
What you buy at Sample
Spree will take up a whole extra suitcase (or it should!) But you will also get
lots of samples and freebies, promotional materials and gifts. You'll be given
copies of books and magazines as well. All of these things need to come home
with you and they are heavy! So pack an empty bag in your suitcase that you can
fill and check on the way home. If you're not flying, the bags you are given
will be more than enough. I came home with a huge Moda bag, several Aurifil
bags, and several others. There is no shortage of totes at market. But if you
are travelling by plane, you'll need an extra suitcase, just trust me on this
one.
I hope I'll see you at the next market!
Diane
PS: I have no idea what's wrong with the fonts, spacing and sizes. I've checked everything I know how to check, and they are still funky. Sorry for that!
I will hopefully see you in Houston!
ReplyDeleteI found your observations funny and well, honest. I've too been so excited only to have seem like I missed the boat and am eating dinner alone. (Which like you said, isn't so bad...but I would have peeking too!)
ReplyDeleteLoved reading your take on market
ReplyDeleteIf one day, I have the chance to go there, I will print your post !! ;)
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ReplyDeleteWhat a fun and realistic list! Sometimes I want to open a quilt shop just so I can go to Market (which comes regularly to Salt Lake City). Would love to have met you, but I will settle for reading your book on my flight this weekend!
ReplyDeletegreat observations! I probably will never go so it was good to hear your behind the scenes take on things.
ReplyDeleteYou're right it looks VERY different on IG
Ok, I am ready for 2026! but I am not a professionnal quilter...not yet! Thank you to share your ideas!
ReplyDeleteI appreciate your idea here. Definitely it has a good content. Thank you for imparting more of your own thoughts. Good job! best dehumidifiers
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed this post! I hope to get there sometime -- maybe next Spring.
ReplyDelete