The International Quilt Market held in Houston, Texas each October is the pinnacle wholesale trade show of the year for the quilting and sewing industry.
Fabric companies, sewing machine manufacturers, pattern makers, notion vendors and more exhibit and retailers from around the world (seriously!) descend upon Houston for 3 action packed days. You can see lots of photos of the latest show on the Quilt Market instagram account.
I have been to a few of the Spring Markets (they are in May and are in different cities each year) but never the fall market – what a difference! The size and scope is bigger and what was really amazing was how many more quilts were in the Gallery of Quilts – such amazing talent and beauty!

The October 2019 Quilt Market was my first and I was honored and beyond thrilled to be showcasing my two upcoming fabric lines in the Riley Blake Designs booth.

I have two fabric collections coming out in the next few months – Homestead Life ships to stores in December 2019 and Send Me to the Woods, a diverse lodge and outdoor collection, ships in March.ย  Stay tuned for inspiration, projects and patterns to come. Follow me on instagram and see what others are creating with my fabrics too! @artisttarareed
Homestead Life - fabric sample stack - Tara ReedSend Me to the Woods - fabric sample stack - Tara Reed
Homestead Life Fabric Panel by Tara Reed DesignsAs an artist, I spend the majority of my time alone in my studio. I connect with others online and on the phone but this is mostly a very isolated life. To be able to go to a show like this and interact and get feedback from shop owners, quilters and sewers is amazing.
These ladies from @yesteryearacres_quilting were so full of energy it was contagious! (click the link to see their instagram)
It’s hard to describe the energy of a show like this if you have never experienced one. Suffice it to say it’s amazing, inspiring and exhausting all at the same time!
Here’s to a happy & creative life!
– Tara Reed
P.S. Want to see projects and patterns you can create with the Homestead Life fabric collection? CLICK HERE