I got to meet so many amazing people at this year’s Creativ Festival. I was so much more involved this year – and I met a ton of new creative people and shops! Instead of featuring each shop individually like I have in the past, I’ve assembled photos from quite a few and linked them to their shop. So, if you are looking for something you can find it! (If there isn’t a corresponding website, I’ve captioned the photo with the shop name.)
The spring Creativ Festival is definitely smaller than the Fall show. There are less booths in a smaller overall space – however, I think that the modern fabric presence was only slightly less than the last Fall show. Many traditional shops are buying more modern fabrics, so there is generally something I want to pick up from each shop. Dangerous, yes?!
I think my focus and view on fabric has changed as well – slowly over time – to involve more types of fabrics and more lines. Not so much “all modern, all the time” and now more “use the fabric that’s right for the job”. Apparel fabric for apparel, quilting cotton for quilting (and kids clothes!).
In the vein of trying not to be “all modern, all the time”, I was so happy to find a lovely use of batik fabric that surprised me! The amazing quilt pattern (above, ) from Border Creek Station Pattern Company, incorporates a lot of white for a modern look and the colour is added with batiks. It gives it a lovely watery look that I really love – softer than the solids against white.
I also found an online Canadian source for shot cotton that I’ll be taking full advantage of. I’ve got lots of apparel projects lined up in the next few months and it’s a lovely summery option to work with. I’ve got Flare Fabrics to thank for that! You should see all the colours she stocks!
It was interesting to see a change in the way each booth decided to show their products. Many sellers are not bringing all of their bolts. Instead they are replacing them with 2 yard cuts and some bolts, and lots of fat quarters and 1/2 metre cuts. Even some super cute scrappy bundles. The jars from Country Clothesline below were so cute!
One of the things I really love is to see all of the projects shop owners have created. I got a chance to work on a few projects this year, and it was fun to see a lot of others too. The feather quilt below that Daryl from Fabric Spark made from Echino fabrics is AMAZING! So, so gorgeous, and my favorite piece at the show. The added texture in the Echino lends so much more depth to the colours.
Seems quite a few of the online shops are now also stocking Aurifil as well. I was happy to find that and some knits at the show! Lovely Monaluna knits from Fabric Please. They feel amazing and my youngest has claimed the yard I bought for herself. I think I’ll have some left over, to use for a yoke on something for me. I hope!
Hopefully this post didn’t sound too sales-driven. It’s tricky writing a review without sounding like a sales person, especially when you are writing about lots of shops! I talked to a few new stores as well and am hoping to be able to team up with lots of them to bring you more Canadian online shop interviews and giveaways – yippee! Maybe we’ll see you at the Fall show?
Ruby Pearl Quilts
It’s fun to see what it was like! There was no way I was getting there from Alberta. LOL! Thanks for the review of the show. 🙂
Thanks Anita, yes, I think it would have been a very long drive! 🙂
It was great to chat with you, Sherri! I can’t wait to see what you make for your daughter. You are doing such a wonderful service to all of us by promoting our Canadian retailers. Looking forward to seeing you in the Fall!
It was so much fun meeting you Rita! Glad we could chat for a bit. And Yes, I’m looking forward to the Fall show! 🙂
One day I will go to one of these…. But living in Northwestern Ontario is much too far away and I do have to work!! Thanks for sharing your review and photos… So much eye candy! Sigh….
Yes, I think that would be quite a long trip Michele – come for the Fall one?! 🙂
I so wish I could have been there!
Maybe you could come to the Fall show sometime Lysa?! 🙂
I find your comparison of the Spring & Fall shows interesting. Up until last year I had only been to the Spring show. Last October, I decided to attend the Fall Show and I found it less interesting than the Spring show. I did not see as many fabric shops, and though it was laid out in a larger area I felt that there were not as many vendors as there are in the Spring. (Maybe that loong walk from the parking lot had something to do with my appreciation of the event)
Good observation, you’re right Brenda, I find that the Fall show has more booths, but not many more fabric-related booths. So they are there – but you have to walk more and there are so many things in between that it feels like there are less in general.
Looks like so much fun
Yes – too bad you are not closer Dorienne! I think you have something like this in Edmonton though?