I am writing to you today from the cafeteria of the Pittsburgh Conference Center, as we are attending Spring Quilt Market. It has been an exciting market, starting off with a preview copy of the Downton Abbey Sewing Magazine. (and my article on the Scottish castle right up front!) The SAQA fundraiser collection Urban Textures has had a great response, which bodes well for the long-term money-raising efforts for this international group.
The industry has grown upward and outward to the point that there is a mind-boggling amount of products and fabrics from which to choose. As I have mentioned before, I figure I look at 150,000 designs/fabrics per year, and buy about 14,000. As you are well aware, eQuilter has a particular "look" which our customers recognize. Our suppliers are always eager to show us the newest designs that fit the list of themes and topics that we buy. (Asian, batiks, large scale, contemporary, European reproduction, designer collections…etc.)
One of the categories we really dive into is metallics. Our sales reps tell us that the quilt shops don't like to stock metallics in depth, but here at eQuilter we love to buy the bling and opulence of gold and silver metallics, but increasingly over the years it also includes copper metallic, pastel pearlized, and even glitter iridescent overprints. Nothing gives a project a luxurious glow like the glimmer of these dimensional prints. Don't you agree? Yum!
We are excited to see the long lines of fans who queue up to meet young designers and millennial authors who have come into our industry over the last 2-3 years. It used to be we'd see these long lines of adoring fans for the old-timer quilt celebrities, but now we are seeing fresh new faces happily posing for Facebook photos and Instagram selfies.
As usual, we bring our unique eye for ethnic and contemporary, modern and artsy, to our 3 day marathon buying spree. What makes us most excited (and bust our budget – shhh! – don't tell Paul!) is gorgeous rich deep juicy saturated colors that defy explanation. Our greatest passion is COLOR, and we know you feel the same way.
Below you will see some quick notes on collections we've bought, that we know you'll love! Be sure to watch the eQuilter newsletter over the next several months, to see when these collections arrive. If there is something in particular that you want to snap up quickly, email Customer Service to let them know, and they can shoot out an email to you when that collection arrives.
Here is a great reason to follow eQuilter on Facebook:
All weekend we've been posting photos of quilts and fabrics from the show floor! We are posting images hourly through Sunday, so if you see something you love, make a note of the collection name or designer, and watch for it in our upcoming newsletters.
Downton Abbey Part 2
Dessert Moon by Lonni Rossi
Moon Shadow by Kim Shaeffer
Flora Bonita – Hoffman's first Digital collection
McKenna Ryan Batiks – Acres to Sew
Ghastlies Balance by Alexander Henry
Judy Niemeyer's 1st fabric line – The Windy West
Cotton + Steel – collaborative collections by 5 new designers
New Tucson prints by Andrew Farley
Artisan Spirit – Good Vibrations
Botanical by Marcia Derse
Gorjus – On Top of the World
Laurel Burch – Embracing Horses
Pointillist by Lunn Studios
Art Deco peacocks in Beau Monde
Nobu Fujiyama Serene Collection
Peacock & Sand Rose by Quilt Gate
Wildlife Sanctuary batiks by Lunn Studios
Rayon Batiks from Bali
New Kona Solid colors coming from Kaufman!
More unique Japanese imports that you won't see anywhere else…
I'll be writing to you from New York on Tuesday night for the Creative Nudge, so watch for my next newsletter!
POLAR BEAR TOUR:
There are still a few spots open in our group, but it is now open to the public and will fill up fast. If you've been procrastinating – call our adventure agent Aly NOW to snag one of the last spots on this Trip of a Lifetime!
