[I just returned from Quilt Market, a fabric trade show in Houston, where my debut line with Andover Fabrics was previewing. I had the chance to interview a few other talented designers + other interesting peeps + am so happy to share their incredible words of wisdom and encouragement while I am traveling again this week. I hope you enjoy!]
I was so excited to grab a few moments with Susanne Woods, acquisitions editor from C+T Publishing and home of Stash Books. She gave an incredible schoolhouse presentation of all of the upcoming titles from Stash Books, so I was really honored to have her answer some questions. For those of you wanting to write books or sewing patterns, I think you’ll find this helpful. Here’s Susanne –
What are you most excited to be showing at this Quilt Market?
I am most excited to be presenting the beta launch of our Patternspot.com site where hundreds of patterns are available for instant download. We spent many, many months developing this site to be beautiful and easy to navigate. I’m really proud of how it turned out and think it is an exciting opportunity for well known and less well known pattern designers to reach a huge audience without having to go through a gatekeeper.
What keeps you inspired?
In my role as the Acquisitions Editor for both C&T and Stash Books, I want our content to be a source of inspiration to others. That desire to provide innovative ideas and techniques to help others expand their own creativity keeps me motivated. I read through a lot of magazines and blogs and attend a variety of regional shows around the country, so what keeps me inspired is seeing a body of work or a single project that just stops me in my tracks.
What one piece of advice would you give to someone who wanted to pursue their own creative dream?
Be professional! Once I think I want to work with someone, I research all about them. I follow their blog, their facebook, their twitter and pay attention to how they act if I see them at shows. I have walked away from promising authors in the past on the basis of their social media interactions and/or how they have conducted themselves in person. We need to have respected ambassadors for our lists, so as you establish your voice in social media and in person, remind yourself (before you post/attend) that a book editor, fabric manufacturer, distributor or magazine editor might be watching/reading. Our sewing community is fun and social, but it is always business.
Filed under Fabric & Sewing, Inspiration, Travels Near & Far.
Tagged with C+T Publishing, fall quilt market 2011, Houston, Stash Books, Susanne Woods.
By Kelly
November 8, 2011
[I just returned from Quilt Market, a fabric trade show in Houston, where my debut line with Andover Fabrics was previewing. I had the chance to interview a few other talented designers + am so happy to share their incredible words of wisdom and encouragement while I am traveling again this week. I hope you enjoy!]
It was such a treat to connect with Jennifer Moore of monaluna and her husband, David, at the show. Jennifer also took Holly Becker’s Blogging Your Way class, and it is always fun to meet other alumna out there in the real world. She has a wonderful, fresh energy that translates beautifully to her fabrics. Jennifer has been getting a ton of great press lately, so I am flattered to have her answer a few questions. Here’s Jennifer –
What are you most excited to be showing off at this Quilt Market?
Our new collection, Taali, is coming out in 3 weeks. Sewing samples for the booth was exciting. This was my first time sewing with it — and I love the feel of it.
What keeps you inspired?
I respond to traveling — seeing the world in a fresh way, even if it isn’t very far — just a hike. I love getting out and noticing things in a fresh light.
What one piece of advice would you give someone who wanted to pursue their own creative dream?
Stick with it. It’s easy to get discouraged or off track, but find what you do well and stick to that. And go to trade shows — it’s amazing how many people and connections you make.
Filed under Fabric & Sewing, Inspiration, Travels Near & Far.
Tagged with blogging your way, fall quilt market 2011, Holly Becker, Houston, monaluna.
By Kelly
November 7, 2011
[I just returned from Quilt Market, a fabric trade show in Houston, where my debut line with Andover Fabrics was previewing. I had the chance to interview a few other talented designers + am so happy to share their incredible words of wisdom and encouragement while I am traveling again this week. I hope you enjoy!]
Patty Young of Modkidboutique was showcasing her new fabric line, Lush. Patty has always been one of my favorite people at the show (partly because she is shorter than I am which almost never happens for me) but mostly because of her warm, inviting personality. I love her new collection, Lush, which is just as vibrant as she is. Patty has a great post up about market on her blog along with some beautiful close-ups of her projects. Without further ado, here’s Patty –
What are you most excited to be showing off at this show?
My newest fabric collection, Lush. I just adore it and it makes me so happy to look at it.
What keeps you inspired?
Seeing what everyone out there is making with my fabric and patterns… that is truly the most rewarding and inspiring part of my job.
What advice would you give to someone else who wants to pursue their own creative dream?
Find yourself first and foremost. Figure out what your style and personality are and always stay true to them. Never worry about what others are doing… if you are original and you truly believe in what you do, your confidence will take you places, believe me!
What has been the biggest surprise you’ve encountered when designing fabric and patterns?
The biggest surprise I’ve encountered is how truly nice and supportive this industry is… completely unlike any other industry out there. Having attended other conferences and trade shows in other industries, you never see this sort of camaraderie and friendship among competitors. At Quilt Market, there is no room for cattiness and rudeness. All you have to do is go to a nearby restaurant or bar after the show and look around… you’ll see designers from every company talking, laughing and drinking together. Case in point, my roommate during this past Quilt Market was Joanna Figueroa, who designs for Moda. I design for Michael Miller… can you name any other industry in which this would happen?! ;)
Filed under Fabric & Sewing, Inspiration, Travels Near & Far.
Tagged with fall quilt market 2011, Houston, Modkidboutique, Patty Young.
By Kelly
November 4, 2011
[Photo of Pat Bravo's booth at Fall Quilt Market 2011]
Hi there! I’m back from Quilt Market and wanted to pop in and say hi. Thank you for all of the positive thoughts, prayers, and good luck messages you sent my way. I truly appreciated each and every one.
I had a wonderful time with my new fabric family at Andover. I’m really excited to be with such a talented, funny group of people who truly care about each other and their customers. It has been such a long road to get to this place that I really tried to soak up every minute of it.
On Saturday, as I walked the show floor I got to meet lots of new faces and hear about other people’s dreams of designing fabric or patterns or books (even jewelry!). I know firsthand how tough it can be to put yourself out there, so I consider it a personal responsibility to encourage other people and share what I know. Many other designers did that with me, and I am so happy to pass it on. Why else are we here?
It feels so good to be able to say from my own experience: You really can do it if you’re willing to put in the work and keep at it no matter what. Do not give up.
I had a bit of an adventure getting home. I had three connecting flights to get from Houston to LA courtesy of our frequent flyer miles. Everything was going so well until I reached Phoenix where the last flight to LA was cancelled. Apparently, the flight attendant was injured, and they were unable to find a replacement. I counted myself lucky that I was not the one being carried off on a stretcher and settled in for an unexpected stay at the Sheraton in Phoenix.
I am so happy to be home but still pretty tired. Doing the airport thing two days in a row with really over-stuffed bags is not that great. All told, what should have been a 3.5 hour trip home took nearly 24 hours. So glad I finally made it!
[Photo of Anna Maria Horner's booth at Fall Quilt Market 2011]
I was able to get a ton of great feedback on my new sewing patterns, so I’m going back to the drawing board and making some more improvements. I really want to put something out there that is truly ready and will give people great, consistent results. I know it will be worth the wait. It sounds like the early preview of my fabrics went pretty well — so look for me next Spring. It’s going to be a party around here, and I can promise a few sneak peaks in the meantime.
And – yes, I did take some photos! The mini-interviews I did with other fabric designers and interesting peeps at the show were amazing. Beyond inspirational. I’m sorting through everything this week and contacting a few other folks via e-mail who were busy or wanted time to think about their answers. However, please check back in for lots of great advice from everyone from Rachel Ashwell to Pat Bravo. They said such encouraging things.
So what did I miss? Anything good? I’ll be catching up on all of your blogs and e-mail messages this week. (And P.S. – if you’re new here, I’d love for you to say hi and introduce yourself. There’s even a newsletter sign-up at the top so we can keep it touch.)
Filed under Fabric & Sewing, Inspiration, Travels Near & Far.
Tagged with Andover Fabrics, dreams, fabric design, fall quilt market 2011, Houston, Quilt Market.
By Kelly
November 1, 2011
I realize it might seem like all we do around here on the weekends is hang pictures and go to Disneyland. That’s not true. To be fair, sometimes we go to Marshall’s.
However, on this particular weekend, we did do go back to Disneyland. After my slightly grumpy week, my husband knew how to set things right — with a little trip down the Storybook Land Canal Boats. For some reason, we are always on this ride when it’s pitch black which is really charming when all of the little houses are lit up — but not so great for photos.
I tried to get him to take the pictures, but I looked over and he was snapping photos of the ducks so I had to take the camera away from him. There are tiny castles and miniature pumpkins for crying out loud! I don’t even want to disturb you by telling you how many photos of ducks we already have. Hundreds? I think that’s what happens when you go to a garden without children. You end up taking photos of the ducks.
So I picked out my house. I am going to move in right here in Belle’s house (below) just as soon as I find a magical shrinking potion. I’ll give you the recipe so you can come live next to me. I’m pretty sure Cinderella has some extra rooms.
Thanks for your kind comments. I think I’m just about back to normal. I did something weird to my back though, so I may keep it a little light here this week. I’m trying to save up my good chair sitting energy for the mountain of sewing work I have to do.
Hope your week is off to good start!
Filed under Gardens & Special Places, Inspiration, Travels Near & Far.
Tagged with Disneyland, Storybook boats.
By Kelly
September 13, 2011
