The Houston Market/Festival is a huge quilter’s paradise held annually in the fall. The Quilt Market is a show for “trade only” qualified buyers, with over 1000 vendors showing quilt shops what the newest merchandise, lines, and fabrics will look like. Then it magically transforms into the Quilt Festival where retailers set up booths covering the George R. Brown Convention Center for four days of sales. It is the largest annual quilt show in the United States. But an oft-overlooked part of the event is the chance to attend some of the 550+ classes offered each year during the shows.

Cindy Lohbeck – Hand Dyeing Fabric

That’s where we ran into Scottsdale, Arizona resident Cindy Lohbeck who was teaching one of the six classes she taught during the show. She gave a day-long, hands-on class “Rad Ombre” where students could hand dye her custom cotton fabric in a variety of hues and styles. In the hallway outside the classroom hung rows of colorful fabric.

Lohbeck explained that her process uses a compact and tidy process that avoids constant dipping and bending. At last year’s show, she was using PVC pipe to serve as her drip rig but now has converted to a thinner “tent pole-like” structure. She has been involved in dyeing fabric for over 13 years.

Hand Dyeing Classes

Normally (pre-Covid-19), Lohbeck would travel the country offering classes at select shops. She typically offered sixty classes a year. Now she is offering an on-line class exclusively through her website, www.handsonhanddyes.com. That is also the name of her company’s Facebook page – Handsonhanddyes. She also sells kits that include not only the tools for dyeing the fabrics but also clear instructions. Plus her website offers replacement dye sets for repeat customers. She is also now cautiously resuming in-person classes.

Lohbeck noted that she “teaches what she knows” and that if people see the demonstration they will buy her kits. She typically offers an on-line class once a month now and felt that this way she “could seize the opportunity that this crisis offered”. The class gives each student a chance to “glance” over her shoulder and see exactly what she is doing. Plus she is available after the class for personal advice and follow-ups.

Presently both Houston shows are still scheduled for this year (October 24-31, 2021) and classes will be announced later this year. Check out http://www.quilts.com for more details about the Houston shows.