Softies at Quilt Market: An Interview with Ellen Lumpkin Brown of The Doll Loft

Should you go to Quilt Market? 

If you have a creative sewing business my bet is this is one of your burning questions.

Quilt Market is the most prominent trade show for fabric-based businesses. The show takes place twice a year, once in Houston and once in another city in the United States. It's open to the trade only and by exhibiting, or just walking the show, you have the opportunity to meet representatives from every facet of the sewing industry: brick and mortar shop owners and big box stores, fabric companies, designers, wholesale distributors, supply manufacturers and more. Spring Market will be in Portland this year from May 17-19.

For several years now I've wondered what it would be like to be a softie maker at Quilt Market. I know that this show isn't just about quilts, but how are dolls and stuffed animals seen by those attending market? As a softie maker, is it worth your while to go?

To answer this question I spoke with Ellen Lumpkin Brown, owner of The Doll Loft.

Ellen is a solo entreprenuer. She sells doll-making kits and sewing pattern for doll clothing.

The Fashionista Kit from The Doll Loft

Ellen has had a booth at Quilt Market twice and she's also exhibited at Quilt Festival, the companion show that is open the general public.

The Doll Loft booth at Quilt Festival in 2009

Clothing patterns for 18" by The Doll Loft

In our 20 minute chat Ellen describes what Market is like from the perspective of a doll-maker. You'll hear:

• How to prepare a booth on a shoestring budget
• Why it's okay to be offering an unusual product at the this show
• Who you can expect to meet and what you should have to offer them
• And how your perspective on the industry may change after attending a big trade show

Thank you so much, Ellen, for talking with me!

Find The Doll Loft online and follow Ellen on Twitter like I do. I think she's going to fall Market in Houston so you'll want to see those tweets.

If you have any questions about Market or about anything that we discuss in the interview, please leave them in the comments and either Ellen or I will respond. Thank you!