Quilt Market - Houston

Quilt Market in Houston each fall is a huge affair - literally hundreds of vendors and even more shop owners. I went alone this year, so was hugely grateful to meet up with Jean Boyd from Brockville, Ontario, who helped me set up my booth and with "Sample Spree", and relieving me so I could go and investigate the booths of other vendors.

Here's a glance at the shoppers lining up for "Sample Spree" - a 2-hour frenzy during which all sorts of bargains can be found. I don't know if I had more fun shopping or meeting people at the Kitambaa table. Yes I do. It was the shopping.

The whole event is unbelievably stimulating. Enjoying the quilts that others have designed, admiring their quilted clothing (I love this mock mudcloth design for a jacket!), participating in "Schoolhouse", and teaching at "Take and Teach". Even the twinkly lights outside the Hilton had me mesmerized.

And of course there were the quilts. The standard of quilt work is so high now, it can be quite intimidating. I will share a few of my favourites over the next few posts, starting with this quilt by Ann Bird, from Ottawa. Ann is renowned for her medallion quilts. The difference with this one is that it is made with African fabrics she purchased in Rwanda and also from Uganda (through Kitambaa Designs). When she asked me for as much fabric as I had of the "wild and crazy birds", I couldn't imagine what she was going to do with it. But isn't this magnificent?