Hello, friends! I’m home from Houston Quilt Market 2023, and while I haven’t completely recovered from all of the fun, I am ready to get to work on all of the things! As I started getting photos ready for this post, I realized that there will definitely be a part 2 and perhaps even a part 3. There is really so much to share. And we also have a super fun video for you today with a variety of designer interviews we did from the market booths!
Houston Quilt Market 2023 Part 1
Travel and Set Up
First, thank you so much for all of the lovely comments and questions about market from my Quilt Market preview post. We will use those questions on our market podcast recap coming on Monday, November 13th.
It a whirlwind getting ready to go to market. I’ve been to so many markets before, but with the four-year break I felt like I was starting all over again. I had all of my work finished up by noon on the day before we left (Thursday). Then I spent about 6 hours packing trying to make sure I could fit everything into two checked bags and one carry-on. I also had to worry about preventing anything being overweight. Next was insomnia (which I rarely deal with). I seemed to be checking my watch on an hourly basis until it was 3:30 a.m. and time to get ready. Thankfully my husband was driving us to the airport and had gotten some sleep!
I also wasn’t able to sleep much on the plane–maybe an hour at the most. Next year I will definitely fly in the afternoon before. Early morning flights are not my favorite. The picture below was taken just as we arrived to start setting up our booth. No one dresses up for set-up day!
First Day
Thank goodness we were able to get some good sleep before arriving at the convention center for day 1. We arrived early in the morning at a beautiful hall filled with all of the booths from industry companies and groups from all around the world. I might be a little biased, but the Moda area was absolutely the most fabulous part of the entire show.
We were grateful to meet and visit with so many shop owners and professionals who have been reading the blog for years and also watching/listening to the podcast from its early days. Additionally, we also met many who were new to us and just stopped by to compliment our quilts, fabric, and Marion and Val’s quilting. We truly appreciate all the kindness and goodness!
Close of Day 1
At the close of market on day 1 we took our designer company photo (I’ll share that when I get it) and then attended a lovely dinner presented by our friends at Moda fabrics. All of the designers, design team, marketing team, and of course the Dunn family and other company members were in attendance.
Center Collage clockwise from top left: Me and Vanessa of V&Co, Me and Corey Yoder, Me and Chelsi with Camille Roskelley, Me and Chelsi with Jenelle Kent of Pieces to Treasure, and Me with the Tammy from Moda.
Collage 3 clockwise from top left: the same crew in the earlier photo from setup day plus Lissa Alexander of Moda, Me and Chelsi with our design director Jamie, Me and Chelsi with Joanna Figueroa, Me and Chelsi with Jocelyn from Fat Quarter Shop, and Me and Chelsi with Susan Ache and Lissa Alexander.
Second Day
Day two was really very much a repeat of day one (and that was a very good thing). We loved being busy nearly every single moment of the day. Again, we were able to visit with and talk to many, many people from all over the industry and the world. In the afternoon we were able to have a fun and inspiring meeting with our design director and her team–lots of good things coming in the future! We had dinner that night with a smaller group of designers and were really able to finally feel relaxed and share thoughts and ideas.
Third Day
Day three is often quite a bit slower for the fall market (especially when market falls near Halloween). A lot of people leave late Sunday evening or first thing Monday morning, so the show is noticeably quieter on day three. This, though, gives us a chance to do a little more visiting with our friends in the industry. And Chelsi and I were able to film some really fun interviews that we are sharing today on our YouTube channel here.
Thank you so much for stopping by for today’s Houston Quilt Market 2023 Part 1 post. I have lots more to share in part 2 including photos of all of the Moda designer booths (I think)!
Happy quilting!
Donna T says
I know for you its basically like a business convention, but seeing your pictures of all the wonderful Moda designers and thinking of you all in the same room made me thrilled and wishing that I could have been there to meet everyone ( with an autograph book in tow 🙂 of course)
Anne says
Did you see any new trends in quilt designs? Like in past years there were the medallions quilts or the row quilts.
All the varieties of fabrics are a feast for the eyes. Thanks for so many pictures.
Coreen Burnett says
Your booth is gorgeous! So bright & cheery! I loved that you identified the people in the photos. Thanks for sharing Market with us! Looking forward to part 2!
deb bulgrin says
oh how exciting! your booth and you and chelsi looked beautiful! I can’t imagine the sheer excitement of that event, but your blog makes me feel almost like being there. I loved it! thank you for sharing this wonderful event.
Kaye Hlavaty says
Thanks for sharing! I’m glad the market was a wonderful experience after your hiatus.
Looking forward to more posts!
Question for your podcast: once a store owner sees the booth do they go to a Moda representative to place their order?
Robin Taylor says
I have been using Moda fabric almost exclusively because of the quality of the base fabric. But another reason is found in the picture of your group sitting together at that table. You design fabric and patterns for the same company and instead of competition you’re friends. I’ve seen many interviews of these ladies and they always seem to mention other Moda designers. How nice it must be to be a women in this industry where it’s about putting beauty into the world for all of us out here. Thanks so much for all the beautiful fabrics that all the Moda women create. (I’m sure there are a lot of men behind you doing some important work…like Billy lol)
Sandi Silvestri says
Robin, I just read your post, and I think you said it so beautifully. Bravo!
Brenda Wall says
Leaving today for Monroe for my granddaughter’s last fall ball college softball game. Friday morning I leave there for Houston and the Festival. It has been since 2015 since I have gone so it will be like new to me too. I am really excited to see the quilts and the vendors.
julie kaplan says
oh my goodness……what an incredibly gorgeous display of your quilts in your booth! also, it was sew nice to see all of your pictures; and that you identified each person made it feel as if i was getting to know them. i am thrilled that you and chelsi had such a good time at quilt market. from what you showed us, how could you miss? i love how everyone is considered a friend. you are blessed to be a part of this creative world. thank you for sharing it with us. you, chelsi, billy, and your whole family are such a beautiful people! once again, thank you for making me feel as though i was at quilt market with you.
Carla Perry says
Sherri, wow~~~thank you for sharing so much of your experiences from your Houston trip. You and your daughter looked stunning. Your booth was an amazing, representation of your creativity, love for quilting and dedication to finishing many projects.
Your time seemed magical (and busy). I know you will treasure the memories forever.
I can’t wait to hear more stories and what lies ahead for A Quilting Life.
Blessings,
Carla
Denise Tanner Clason says
I always loved going to Marketing Events! Houston was awesome, too. Wonderful places to go and spend time with friends and groups! Your booth is very beautiful!
Sue Hoover says
You had such a cheery booth. Glad you enjoyed Quilt Market. Hope you got some grand ideas!
Michele says
Sherri, you and Chelsi look beautiful and love your very appealing booth! Hope it’s a great way to wind up the year.