quilt market - the booths (part three)

Last Fall market the Free Spirit/Westminster aisle was huge. This time it seemed smaller, more narrow maybe. The booths were most definitely not as elaborate as before but one thing you can rely on with the Free Spirit folks, they do great booths even if they're not as elaborate as previous markets.

This was a communal type of bit, near the reps and sales folks. Isn't that couch to die for? And the pillows? I often think Free Spirit fabrics work really well together across designers, even if they don't look like they should. This has cemented that belief.



Jenean Morrison won a ribbon for creativity. If my memory serves me right, she won a booth award for the past 2 markets as well. I love Jenean's fabrics. I love how she puts her booths together. Maybe it's because she's not a quilter that she sees things with a different eye. Power Pop is due to start shipping this month. (In case you haven't got any of her previous line yet, silent cinema is on sale at Fat Quartershop)



The floor. Genius.



You may not know about NYC based Mark Cesarik. You should, he's eye candy. But a newly wed (dammit). His wife, Cara is stunning (and really clever too. If I didn't like her so much I'd seriously hate her) and to top it off, the pair of them are ridiculously fun. Morning tides is out already and is a great collection of prints that work well for both men and women. Strong, graphic designs and bold colours. Did I already mention he's pretty hot? Yeah, I might have done.



Eagerly awaited is another guy designer. David Butler. Him with the familiar surname and husband to uber designer, Amy. He's a graphic designer, drummer in a rock band, photographer and now fabric designer to boot. (In response to Maria's question - this is what you want, lady, it is amazing and perfect for your brother. Also - Marg M - the decor weight is great, perfect for that chair you're thinking of covering). His booth was only small, but really nicely done with huge hi-watt amps as a back drop (a nod to his musical ability). I loved how this was clearly a line designed with men in mind, but that he had women's clothes displayed too.
Finally a fabric collection that is truly masculine but, as you can see, will also make fantastic women's clothing. It'll ship February 2012. Seriously, this is going to be huge. The greys are fabulous, the olive greens spot on. I'm a big fan of colour but I'll be stocking up on this collection and plenty of it too so I can hoard it away.



Just fabulous.



Right next door to David's booth was his missus (of course). Lark is already in stores now and if you haven't bought any yet, you should. The colours are amazing, the prints are beautiful and it's my favourite Amy Butler collection ever. Which reminds me, I need to get stocked up.



My favourite ever designer and winner of the most awe inspiring lady award (yeh, I invented that award) is Anna Maria Horner. This lady knows what she is doing. Everything she touches turns to gold, her vision is incredible and her work total perfection. She's such a pro. On Friday she had to rush off to the eye doctor, missing her second schoolhouse session, and was on strong anti-biotics all weekend but was there in the booth soldiering on despite being in pain and not being able to see.



Ribbons, bias bindings in 2 widths, velveteens (will be coming soon) flannels (out now), tapestry kits (yes - TAPESTRY KITS!) and sewing boxes that I would like to have stacked all over my house.



I love it all. I need it all.



Finally, what you've all been waiting for (in particular Meg, Leila, Hadley and Nicke). Flea Market Fancy.
There was no booth, no fabric, nothing to touch. The fabrics were still on paper. Denyse was there though, she came to the Fabric 2.0 party on Friday night and (I am so going to tell this to my grandchildren) she walked over from across the room (after waving - at me, I did check behind me first before I waved back) and said hello and she knew my name and asked how Fat Quarterly was doing. Yes. I did freak. I freaked so much and then I completely annoyed Lu and Tacha by going on about it all night.



FMF2 is out in March next year. That's a little later than was originally thought, and includes some new twists to the old prints as well as 8 old favourites. Start saving you pennies. It'll be an expensive Spring.