Quilts in Chicago
My first trip to the International Quilt Festival in Chicago has been fun. The convention hall is packed with vendors from across the country and beautiful quilts.
When you walk in the entrance you can't miss the Best of Show quilt. And, because I love chickens it really caught my eye.
Then as I was standing there admiring the quilt, the quiltmaker David Taylor came by and I got to meet him, too!
Quilters are everywhere at this show...some come to buy, some come to sell, some come to share. I ran into long-time family friends from Iowa and industry friends that I've known for years. And, in my new position as National Sales Manager at APQS I even got to meet some of my sales reps for the first time in person. Last night at supper one of those reps--Joann Hoffman--started talking about a quilt she's working on. She had it with her in a bag, so we said show-and-tell please! Wow! Silk applique. The restaurant lighting was a little dark, so this isn't the best picture, but I think you'll get the idea. (Holding the quilt are Linda Alexander, left, and Marilyn Badger, right.)
JoAnn is stumped as to what to name this quilt. It started out inspired by the tropical theme for the MQS show, but she doesn't think it feels tropical. Me neither. I immediately thought French. What do you think? She'd love any name suggestions you might have.
And, if you're wondering that center applique is one piece of fabric. It took her 2 days to get the applique ready and 12 days to machine blanket-stitch around all of the edges. I can't wait to see it quilted, as JoAnn is a beautiful machine quilter.
I also want to congratulate Marianne Fons on selling a Lenni yesterday in the APQS booth! She and her partner Liz Porter are spokespeople for APQS and are always promoting our machines. But, Marianne loves to work in our booth and help people learn more about our machines. Well, yesterday, someone signed on the dotted line with Marianne. I'm not sure who was more excited, Marianne or the customer! Great job Marianne. If you like to blog, you might want to visit Marianne's blog, too. She really has some wonderful stuff to share.
Off to the show for one more day.
When you walk in the entrance you can't miss the Best of Show quilt. And, because I love chickens it really caught my eye.
Then as I was standing there admiring the quilt, the quiltmaker David Taylor came by and I got to meet him, too!
Quilters are everywhere at this show...some come to buy, some come to sell, some come to share. I ran into long-time family friends from Iowa and industry friends that I've known for years. And, in my new position as National Sales Manager at APQS I even got to meet some of my sales reps for the first time in person. Last night at supper one of those reps--Joann Hoffman--started talking about a quilt she's working on. She had it with her in a bag, so we said show-and-tell please! Wow! Silk applique. The restaurant lighting was a little dark, so this isn't the best picture, but I think you'll get the idea. (Holding the quilt are Linda Alexander, left, and Marilyn Badger, right.)
JoAnn is stumped as to what to name this quilt. It started out inspired by the tropical theme for the MQS show, but she doesn't think it feels tropical. Me neither. I immediately thought French. What do you think? She'd love any name suggestions you might have.
And, if you're wondering that center applique is one piece of fabric. It took her 2 days to get the applique ready and 12 days to machine blanket-stitch around all of the edges. I can't wait to see it quilted, as JoAnn is a beautiful machine quilter.
I also want to congratulate Marianne Fons on selling a Lenni yesterday in the APQS booth! She and her partner Liz Porter are spokespeople for APQS and are always promoting our machines. But, Marianne loves to work in our booth and help people learn more about our machines. Well, yesterday, someone signed on the dotted line with Marianne. I'm not sure who was more excited, Marianne or the customer! Great job Marianne. If you like to blog, you might want to visit Marianne's blog, too. She really has some wonderful stuff to share.
Off to the show for one more day.
Looks like fun!
Reply to this
Hi Heidi -- I was so surprised to walk right by you in Chicago -- I would have stopped and introduced myself, but you were surrounded by lots of women and I didn't want to make my quilty peeps wait. Maybe next time!
Reply to this
I am so bummed...please, please stop for two seconds and say hello next time!
Reply to this
Hi Heidi,
Glad you got a shot of David's chicken quilt, it reminded me so much of you!
It was great fun working with you at the show, and JoAnn's quilt is for sure a prize winner!!
Reply to this
awesome stuff you got here. I really like the theme of the website and how well organized the content. It's a wonderful job, and check back sometime.
Reply to this