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carolyn friedlander

carolyn friedlander

fabric and pattern designer

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Spring Quilt Market 2015 in Minneapolis.

May 27, 2015 by carolyn friedlander 5 Comments

Big thanks to everyone who participated in the webinar last night. It was a new experience for me talking to the computer without really knowing who was listening and watching from the other side. After reading your comments on Instagram, I’m thrilled to know that it resonated with many of you, and I can’t wait to see where handwork takes you in the future!

But now, to Quilt Market. It was my first time in Minneapolis, and the city was a lot of what I expected–good food, friendly people, plenty to see and do (if not at the convention center). Luckily, it wasn’t too crazy cold, but it was a change of temperature from the 90s that I’m used to in Florida. One major (personal) highlight was the sauna in my hotel–that’s how I like to do a trade show! A friend and I made the sauna an early morning ritual each day before the show, which made a massive difference in taking the edge off of what is an otherwise exhausting event. I do love a sauna.

Overall it was a good Market. I didn’t get out to see everything and everyone as much as I would have liked, but that’s kind of the way it is. I always say that folks following the show from Instagram see more of the show than those of us who are actually there. Or at least those of us spending most of our time in our booths.

Here’s the convention center at the beginning of setup. It was an interesting building with three very large domes. I’m not sure what happens up there, but they sure have plenty of ladders and walkways to cover them.

Spring Quilt Market 2015 before set up

The first day of set up was a little slow for me because of some errands, but there was plenty of focus on the second day as I tried to pull it all together.

spring quilt market set up_carolyn friedlander

The booth strategy was a fairly simple one. I liked the ideas of layers and layers (of fabric…ideas…projects…), which I articulated by way of lots of fabric, plenty of quilt blocks and some of my drawings and sketches.

Carolyn Friedlander Spring Quilt Market booth 2015_blue wall

I knew that I wanted to get people stitching in the booth, so before setup I did some local junk foraging and found some goodies.

stitching in the booth at Quilt Market 2015_carolyn friedlander

I didn’t know if people would be in to sitting down and stitching, but they totally were. I know that it was a welcome reprieve from the hustle of the show floor. Plus, it was a great chance for me to catch up with them, making it a win-win.

stitching in the booth 2015_3_carolyn friedlander

Even Ken Kaufman took a turn working the needle.

stitching in the booth 2015_carolyn friedlander

My booth neighbor, Valori Wells, had some really beautiful samples including many that she’d overprinted.

Valori Wells for Robert Kaufman

It was a delight to welcome 3 new designers to the Robert Kaufman family–Elizabeth Hartman, Angela Walters and McKenna Ryan (whose booth I sadly did not get a picture of–but it was lovely and won an award!)

Here’s Elizabeth’s booth showcasing her brand-new fabric line, Rhoda Ruth.

Elizabeth Hartman for Robert Kaufman

This was Angela’s booth, which featured her new line, Drawn.

Angela Walters for Robert Kaufman

Darlene’s booth was lovely as always, with plenty of great details.

Darlene Zimmerman for Robert Kaufman

I’m obsessed with this sewing machine.

Little vintage sewing machine

Darlene was even stitching away on some of my blocks during the show. I was totally flattered.

Darlene Zimmerman stitching away

Julia from the Kaufman team kept everything in order at the pre-cuts booth. Plus, she rocked amazingly-handmade garments everyday of the show–including this beautiful Doe dress.

Julia handling the Robert Kaufman precuts

I never take enough pictures, but one of my favorite parts of the Robert Kaufman booth was the sewing studio where they had tons of garments, quilts and other projects made out of their apparel fabrics. It was inspiring to scope through it all and plan out some future projects. Also in that section was a Social Tote, which I did manage to get a photo of.

Social Tote in Robert Kaufman fabric at Quilt Market 2015

Elsewhere on the show floor…

Jen Kingwell’s work always blows me away.

Jen Kingwell at Quilt Market 2015

I loved seeing some Nest Egg totes in the Dear Stella booth.

Nest Egg Totes at the Dear Stella booth

I scouted some Nani Iro dresses that I’d like to make.

Nani Iro dresses at Quilt Market 2015

Angela and I traded talents. She taught me to longarm, and I taught her to handstitch.

Angela Walters teaching me to quilt_Carolyn Friedlander

Then Elizabeth, Angela, Valori and I took a group shot with our beastly blow-ups after it was all over.

Robert Kaufman designers with big heads

Kinda freaky, huh?

But fun too.

 

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. lindsey says

    May 27, 2015 at 4:15 pm

    that last shot is the best!!! Looks like bobble heads!

    Reply
  2. Jean Metcalf says

    May 27, 2015 at 7:00 pm

    Thanks Carolyn. That was fun to see

    Reply
  3. Stacey says

    May 27, 2015 at 9:20 pm

    I love seeing all these photos from quilt market! Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  4. tracy b says

    May 27, 2015 at 9:34 pm

    Thank you for sharing! I enjoyed the webinar last night too. 🙂

    Reply
  5. Brianna says

    May 29, 2015 at 5:10 pm

    So many great fabrics out! Exciting. I just love those pictures with the heads…hilarious!

    Reply

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