With meetings and appointments aside I could really dig into the show floor on Saturday. Also had an opportunity to chat up my trend tracking peers and we were in agreement- no runaway trends from the show. Lots of line extensions and product introduction of exisiting trends (ie: felting and punchneedle embroidery).

That said, there is plenty to capitalize on from a store's point of view.

New fabric lines- Joel Dewberry (son of of One Stroke Painting's Donna) introduced three stunning collections for Westminster Fibers. Barn Dandy fabrics is a collection of vintage inspired western prints presented by a designer Polly Wilson who is inspired by her own ranch living. Paris Bebe presented a very dainty collection of "shabby cottage florals.

Contemporary fabrics- There is an opportunity for designers to create more patterns for contemporary fabrics with large repeats. There were many more offerings of these "modern" prints at the show. I hope to see more patterns to help our customers understand how to use them.

Halloween-Buttermilk Basin took a risk and dedicated the whole booth to autumn/halloween items and  it is a winner. My favorite there was a hooked wool squirrel with  a big loopy tail and some coordinating acorns. These are seasonal items that would appeal to folks who do not celebrate Halloween.

More Aprons!- If  you do not have apron patterns in yours store- give them a shot. Taylor Made pattern company had a version for mom and daughter- very cute for the holidays. More great options from Threaded Pear and Kwik Sew.

Yesterday I mentioned yo-yos- for the customer who doesn't want to make hers...Wimpole Street sells them already gathered.

Cute Little Things-Designers are responding to the "Not enough time to quilt" lament with lots of small projects that are great in-between or gifty projects. Lots of cute ideas for wool needle cases (Need'l Love) and pincushions (Reets Rags to Riches). I especially liked Wooden Spool Designs bumble bee needlecase and pincushions.

Display ideas always abound at Market but Blackbird Designs stepped out with a Princess and the Pea inspired bed piled high with mattresses and in between each mattress was a separate set of "covers" that included a quilt.

More trends and product ideas to come. Safe trip home from Market all- Beth