Dear Quilting Friends,
Carolyn and I are back from
Quilt Market in Portland, Oregon and again they ordered in perfect
weather. Even though we were inside most of the time, driving back and
forth to the convention center provided us with spectacular views. The
landscape was lush and full of regional flowers in full bloom. Mount
Hood did not fail to exude oohs and aahs. To see that snow-capped peak
rise out of the distance was breathtaking. We even had enough time to
ride the Max train for a quick tour of the city.
Oh – back to why Carolyn & I
were there – Spring Quilt Market. The days start out with us taking
classes, either to see new products or learn new techniques. Then the
real work begins. This year there were more vendors at Spring Market
then they have ever had. There were about 30 aisles with hundreds of
vendor booths. Carolyn and I walked the entire market at least tree
times. The first time through is just to see who is there and what item
may catch our eye. We make notes on booths we need to visit again. The
second trip through is to purchase. We bought fabric, books, patterns
and notions. Some of the new notions were the bias cut ruler, Mary
Ellen’s ironing spray in a smaller, more convenient size (for class) and
a rotary blade sharpening tool that really works. Carolyn sought out
and found some really beautiful appliqué patterns. Terry Atkinson not
only has two new books out but she also has a new line of fabric with
Red Rooster. We ordered several lines of fabric, but the way it works,
we won’t take delivery of our orders until July, August or even
September. One of the lines coming in September is the new Moda line
Portobello, very elegant with rich colors.
Our last trip through market
is to see if we really missed anything. This last pass gives us more
time to speak with vendors that we had not previously stopped to see, or
to pick up that last item that we had seen and been thinking about. For
me that was the Euro-Steam Iron. I had to purchase this item so that I
could test it for myself, as I thought it was too good to be true. This
iron went from steaming a garment, while on a hanger, to ironing a pair
of jeans, to ironing a beaded top. This was done without changing any
settings or allowing the iron to rest. The iron was then held against a
balloon and the balloon never popped. I think this may be the last iron
I ever buy.
Now that we are back from
market, we are back to work. I am trying to get caught up on everything
so that I will be ready to travel to San Antonio in June with Toni. She
and I will be attending the Husqvarna Viking Convention for the
unveiling of the newest sewing machine. Check out their website
www.husqvarnaviking.com for clues
about the new machine.
I promise more product
reviews when we get back.
Keep sewing and remember to
have fun doing it.
