New Fabrics Soon From 'Inspiring' Quilt Market

The 2013 International Quilt Market in Texas proved the industry is going from strength from strength.

And many of the stylish new fabrics which debuted at the recent event in Houston will be on the shelves at Owl & Drum in the coming weeks and months.

"It was a very inspiring event," said Bianca Howell, the co-owner of Owl & Drum in midtown Tulsa.

 Fox Field quilt by Tula Pink

"I was very happy to see the evolution of the modern fabric industry - and the great work that the companies and designers are creating. I think our customers are going to love the new designs for the new season."

Sylvia collection by Lotta Jansdotter

About 600 exhibitors representing dozens of different companies and designers staffed about 1,200 booths - with the annual event attracting hundreds of buyers from across the country, plus buyers from as far afield as Australia, England and Japan.

Mary Perisho, Owl & Drum's sewing instructor, was thrilled to attend her first International Quilt Market.

"Mary is a seamstress, not a quilter, but after attending the Quilt Market she can't wait to now start her first quilt. After all the inspiring quilts she saw, she will have a hard time figuring out which pattern will be her first!"

"We really enjoyed attending the Schoolhouse Series, which were day-long previews of new fabric collections, as well as sewing and quilting supplies," Howell said.

Wee Wander by Sarah Jane

"And the best part was hearing first-hand from the designers about where the inspirations came from for the colors, prints and meanings in their new collections.

"Among my favorite lines I saw at the Quilt Market were new collections from Anna Maria Horner for Free Spirit, Leah Duncan for Art Gallery Fabrics, and Amy Butler for Rowan Fabrics."

Dowry by Anna Maria Horner

Meadow by Leah Duncan

Quilt by Leah Duncan for Art Gallery Fabrics

Hapi by Amy Butler

"We also got to see the curated quilt exhibit for the International Quilt Festival before it opened to the public the following week. The quilts that people created from around the world were truly impressive."

Here are a photos of a couple of quilts that were part of the 2013 Modern Quilt Guild exhibit:

The fun-packed event was staged from Oct. 26-28 at the George R. Brown Convention Center in downtown Houston.

The International Quilt Market is a wholesale trade show that was started in 1979 at the request of many quilt shop owners across the U.S. to provide one central marketplace for quilt shops and their suppliers.

Produced by Quilts Inc., it features all the major fabric, batting, publishing, stencil and pattern companies.

The annual fall edition of market is always held in Houston.

In 1981, the first spring edition of Quilt Market was held in San Francisco. Subsequent spring markets have been held in Williamsburg, Minneapolis, Philadelphia, Cincinnati, Los Angeles, Boston, Nashville, Chicago, Denver, Kansas City, Pittsburgh, St. Louis, Charlotte, Providence, Portland and Atlantic City.

For more information, visit www.quilts.com.

For more details about Owl & Drum - which carries about 300 fabrics made by many different designers, crafts supplies and tools, plus numerous unique gifts - visit www.owlanddrum.com.

The 2810 E. 15th St. store also sells many other items made by Tulsans, Oklahomans and artisans from Portland, Oregon, plus a wide variety of craft books.

Owl & Drum is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday to Saturday. The store is closed on Sundays and Mondays, but it's open every day online at www.owlanddrum.etsy.com.

For more information, call Bianca at 918-742-1404, send an email to owlanddrum@gmail.com, or follow us on Facebook, Blogger.com, Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram.