80 quilts in 30 days

I'm still recovering from the Quilt Market hangover. All the prep work leading up to the show, the hustle of setting up and tearing down, plus the actual show - it was all very exhausting! I plan to do a couple additional blog posts to share how my husband made my booth and how I made a miniature of my booth, so watch for those in the coming days!

But this post is to celebrate that I made 80 quilts in the 30 days before Market!!

When I decided that I would have a booth at Market (way back in November!), I immediately knew I wanted to also participate in Sample Spree. Sample Spree is a buying frenzy of just a couple hours where buyers can be the first to purchase new products and fabrics. I wanted to make shop samples (completed quilts in the small or mini sizes) of several of my patterns so shops could take them back to their shops immediately without having to do any work themselves.

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I chose four patterns (actually five, but I didn't have time for the fifth one) that I thought would work for this effort and ordered bolts of Kona solids and Island Batik fabrics.

After the quilts for my booth were made and the patterns were written, I started making sample quilts. I decided I would make as many as time would allow!

First I made 20 Cotton Candy mini quilts. (Pattern links: Digital and Paper)

These used Kona cotton for the background and cones, and Shannon Fabrics' Rose Cuddle for the fluffs. Pink candy striped bias binding was the perfect way to finish them! Each mini quilt measures 16" x 24".

Next I made 20 Sliced table toppers. (Pattern links: Digital and Paper)

These are the smaller size in the pattern and measure 30" square. Each was made with Island Batik fabrics. And huge shoutout to my mom who helped me bind all of these!!

Next up was 20 Zest table runners. (Pattern links: Digital and Paper)

My mom was a rockstar and cut out all the seeds for these! Each one is made with Kona solids and measures 16"x48".

The last set of 20 was Snowfall pillows. (Pattern links: Digital and Paper)

These use Island Batik fabrics and measure 14" square. Instead of using a regular quilt back, I sewed the backing fabric to be a pocket to hold a pillow form.

All 80 samples used Warm & Natural batting and Aurifil thread. And all had a corner label that I got printed at Spoonflower.

I took all 80 quilts to Sample Spree. Each sample came with six patterns.

The feedback from shops was fantastic!! They loved that I had done the work for them!

I put the samples that didn't sell at Sample Spree in my booth and continued to sell them throughout the show.

Here is a summary of my thoughts on this endeavor:

1. My longarm earned its keep!
2. Working on multiples of the same pattern in an assembly line way makes quick(er) work.
3. 20 of one thing is the maximum amount my quilty ADD allows.
4. I never want to work in a sewing factory.
5. I am REALLY looking forward to some ME sewing time!

If When I do Quilt Market and Sample Spree again, I would still make samples. Shop owners loved having the work done, and as my name and business grow, the samples will be even more popular!

I do have a VERY limited amount of samples left. If you know a shop that might be interested in one, please have them contact me ASAP! 

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Cotton Candy Quilt Pattern Release! + TGIFF

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Snowfall Quilt - My 100th Quilt Finish!