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Road 2016 Marketplace: Meet Hoffman Fabrics

Friday, January 15th, 2016

Last year, Road introduced Marketplace where top manufacturers in the quilting industry shared their knowledge and expertise directly with our guests. Located right in the center of the main show floor, Marketplace is the destination for innovation and inspiration on the latest and most popular quilting products. This year, there will be 6 companies in Marketplace, including Hoffman Fabrics.

Hoffman Fabrics was founded in 1924 as Hoffman Woolens by Rube P. Hoffman. As a wholesale converter of the highest-quality cottons and blends, Hoffman Fabrics designs and creates more than 800 innovative screenprints and handmade batik fabrics each year. They employ a team of in-house textile artists to create fabric collections for the quilting/home-sewing industry, as well as all types of manufacturing. The company’s new logo design is their first change since 1976. It is only the third version of the Hoffman brand mark. Did you know that Hoffman Fabrics was also behind the creation of California “surf fashion?”

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aZt2n6Ujc9c[/youtube]

At the Hoffman Marketplace booth, they will be showing video and talking about how they design and make their world-famous batiks designed in the U.S. and produced on the island of Bali. Very new to their Hoffman Bali production is their Indah line (under the Me+You brand) of solid hand-dyes and minimalist accent batiks designed for the modern quilting aesthetic. Among popular designers working with their Indah fabrics are Sam Hunter and Latifah Saafir.

Hoffman will also be talking about the “new” Hoffman Challenge, which has been reinvented and refreshed for 2016. For the first time in its 28-year history, the Challenge has two selected Challenge fabrics, a butterfly print (style #N4240) from their digitally printed Crystalia collection. Participants can use the Challenge fabric in the 132-Opal (white) or 213-Onyx (black) color way – or both! Also a first: Hoffman will be accepting online submissions for the initial vetting of artwork for the contest.

Aurifil is co-sponsor of the Hoffman Challenge and has designed a special thread collection complementing the fabrics.

And since Hoffman is now a leading producer of digitally printed fabrics for the quilting/sewing industry, they will also be talking about digital prints at their booth as well. Digital printing lets Hoffman offer an unlimited color palette so their digital print fabrics burst with infinite colors, shades, layers and textures.

To learn more about Hoffman Fabrics, please visit their web site. ]]>

Tags: Aurifil, Batiks, Digitally Printed Fabrics, Hoffman California Fabrics, Hoffman Fabric Challenge, Surf Fashion
Posted in Marketplace, Road 2016, Road to California | No Comments »

Meet 2016 Marketplace Vendor: Riley Blake Designs

Saturday, January 9th, 2016

‘’Fabric is our fun!’’ is the perfect logo to describe this innovative fabric manufacturer.

Riley Blake Designs was founded eight years ago by Bret and Cindy Cloward. They had ‘’come home’’ to the fabric business after pursuing careers and raising a family living in many parts of the country. Bret and his siblings grew up in the fabric business as his father owned fabric stores near Salt Lake City, Utah. His brother and brother-in-law joined the business, and it has been growing ever since. Riley Blake Designs’ collections are created by a stable of creative, talented designers and features colorful, whimsical designs.

Their fabrics inspire sewists of all kinds: quilters, home decor, and clothing. Riley Blake Designs colorful fabrics include cottons, flannels, sparkle cottons, organic cotton, knits, dreamy, and laminates in a range of designer and basic prints. Their coordinating “Sew Together” line consists of a bevy of complementary buttons, ric-rac, ribbons and lace, project kits and panels, zippers by the yard, and crocheted flowers.

Riley Blake Designs’ Marketplace booth will be showcasing quilts that have free, downloadable patterns available. They are also sponsoring a mini shop hop with four stores. Riley Blake Designs will be giving away each day of the show, a Zombie Love Tote Bag for those guests participating in the shop hop.

In addition to the Marketplace, Riley Blake will be participating at Roundabout on Friday, demonstrating their exciting new collection, Sashing Stash, available in black, red,and blue.

To learn more about Riley Blake Designs, visit their website.]]>

Tags: Fabric Manufacturer, Marketplace, Riley Blake Designs, Sashing Stash Fabric Collection, Zombie Love Tote Bag
Posted in Marketplace, Road 2016, Road to California | 3 Comments »

Meet Road 2016 Marketplace Vendors: Shannon Fabrics and Clover USA

Monday, January 4th, 2016

Last year, Road introduced Marketplace where top manufacturers in the quilting industry shared their knowledge and expertise directly with our guests. Located right in the center of the main show floor, Marketplace is the destination for innovation and inspiration on the latest and most popular quilting products. This year, there will be 6 companies in Marketplace. This post features two more vendors: Shannon Fabrics and Clover-USA

If you are familiar with plush fabrics, then you must know Shannon Fabrics. Shannon Fabrics was founded in 1995 by Ebrahim Pairavi, a Persian immigrant. A few years later, his son, Arvin, joined him to help manage and grow the family business. Together, they saw an exciting opportunity, and in 2005 Shannon Fabrics entered the quilt market. The company is well known for carrying the largest selection of high-quality Cuddle (minky) plush fabric. They also offer Cuddle Suede, Embrace (100% cotton double gauze), Terry Cloth, Faux Fur, Tissavel Faux Fur, Solid Silky Satin, kits and precuts. In addition to a licensing agreement with Robert Kaufman, Premier Prints, and other industry leaders, the company works with independent and in-house designers to develop and create some of the best fabric collections available in the industry. Shannon Fabrics is an innovative and creative market leader, regularly introducing new colors, styles, and products.

Shannon Fabrics is excited to be returning as a Marketplace exhibitor for Road 2016. In their booth, they will be demonstrating a variety of tips and techniques, as well as how their fabrics can be used alone and together with other fabrications, including quilting cottons. They will also be displaying numerous finished samples made from some of their kits and precuts. Their booth will have lots of tip sheets and free patterns as well as other helpful information. A highlight at the show will be their newest Embrace double gauze collection, featuring brand new prints and solids. With its signature “Cuddle” collection, Shannon Fabrics has become a household name and is Making The World a Softer Place™. To learn more about their company, please visit their website.

Clover’s history dates back to 1925 when it was founded by Mr. Toshio Okada at the age of 26. The name of their company originated when Toshio Okada was attending college. He would study in the park and use clovers to bookmark his pages. When Mr. Okada founded the company, he remembered the hard work and dedication it took to succeed in his studies and all the clovers stuck between the pages of his books that accompanied him through his journey. In 1948, Clover officially became the brand. Clover began as a wholesale company of needles and handicraft accessories. Soon after, Clover became a manufacturing company, with the use of machinery designed to capture the vision of the engineers to create the wonderful tools we know and love today. In 1983, Clover USA was established in Los Angeles. Clover USA was given the name-Clover Needlecraft Inc. selling Takumi Knitting Needles. Later, the US line grew to patchwork quilting tools and sewing notions. With the support of their parent company, Clover USA has become a substantial brand in the artisan world of North America. At their booth, Clover will be demonstrating several of their products including the Wedge Iron, Press Perfect Collection by Joan Hawley, Felting, Tassel Makers & Handy Thread Twister, the Standing Oval Knitting Loom and Nancy Zieman Notions. Mark your schedules now to attend one of the workshops they will be hosting:

Crochet with Fabric- Thursday, Jan 21, 7-10PM

Felted Scarf-Thursday, Jan 21, 7-10PM

Wrap ‘n Fuse Round Up-Friday Jan 22, 7-10PM

Bead weaving on Mini Beading Loom-Friday Jan 22, 7-10PM

Weaving Sticks Scarf-Friday Jan 22, 7-10PM

Nancy Zieman E-tablet-Saturday, Jan 23, 6-10PM

Mini Flower Loom- Saturday, Jan 23, 7-10PM

Yo-Yo Centerpiece-Saturday, Jan 23, 7-10PM

Learn more about Clover USA on their website. ]]>

Tags: Clover USA, Cuddle, Marketplace, Plush Fabrics, Quilt Vendors, Shannon Fabrics
Posted in Marketplace, Road 2016, Road to California | No Comments »

Meet Road 2016 Marketplace Vendor: American Made Brand

Wednesday, December 30th, 2015

Not Just Made Here, Grown Here

That’s the apt slogan of American Made Brand fabric, a division of Clothworks. From farm to fabric, the cotton is grown, spun, woven, dyed and rolled onto bolts in the U.S. People often comment on the color saturation and soft hand of the fabrics, and longarmers delight in how it quilts up! It is surprising to learn how difficult it was to bring an entirely American-made fabric to market. While our country produces huge amounts of high quality cotton, the supply chain has evolved to direct nearly all of it for immediate export to overseas mills. Meanwhile, textile manufacturing in the U.S. uses imported raw materials. It is perfectly legal for goods made from imported cotton to be labeled “Made in the U.S.A.” Clothworks’ owners, Ted and Candice Hoffman, wondered if they could do better. They had a vision of an entirely home grown fabric. Connecting the farmers to the yarn and weaving mills seemed logical, yet the process took years to achieve!

AMB’s designers worked with quilters and quilt pattern makers around the country to develop a range of shades to encompass the American vision. From clear, vibrant tones to soft pastels and neutrals, AMB’s palette of 75 colors can fulfill any creative vision in this big country of ours. Thirteen of the colors are brand new for January 2016!

This is American Made Brand’s first year at Road to California. On display in their booth will be a gorgeous, oversized interpretive American Flag quilt. Also featured will be a stunning new Block of the Month quilt, Empire Place, from Sassafras Lane patterns. Empire Place is a contemporary paper-pieced quilt inspired by the amazing Art Deco era buildings in Chicago. Nine different diamond block designs create this modern quilt. Guests who come by their booth can pick up their free 2 1/2″ square AMB sampler pack and can sign up to learn of upcoming AMB challenges and offers. Support the U.S. economy by asking for American Made Brand solids at local quilt shops and making your next quilt an all-American one!

For more information, please visit their website.]]>

Tags: American Made Brand, Clothworks, Made in the USA, Marketplace, Modern Quilting
Posted in Marketplace, Road 2016 | 2 Comments »

Meet Road 2016 Marketplace Vendor: EE Schneck Company

Wednesday, December 9th, 2015

E.E. Schenck Company, located in Portland, Oregon, is one of the oldest and largest wholesale distributors of fabrics and notions in the United States. Founded in 1921 as an importer of silks, E.E. Schenck has evolved to become a leading supplier of fabrics for quilting, apparel, utility and crafts, also offering a varied selection of notions, books, patterns and gift items. They carry over 50,000 items, shipping to all 50 states as well as customers all over the world.

Twenty years ago E.E. Schenck Company began designing under the Maywood Studio brand, now known for timeless, beautiful cottons, Shadow Play blenders and the famously soft Woolies Flannel. Maywood Studio has come to represent reliable, exceptional quality and basics that can be reordered for many years. Maywood Studio adds something for every fabric lover with a growing array of design choices and a continuing tradition of classic beauty.

For the Road 2016 Marketplace, E.E. Schenck will be featuring and demonstrating some of their most popular products: Soak Wash Inc. The owner of Soak Wash Inc. will be on hand to demonstrate several of their product lines: Soak (cleans quilts and other fine delicates), Flatter (a light spray starch which does not scorch or leave residue on the bottom of irons) and Handmaid Crème (a luxury hand crème that leaves no residue on hands). Products come in both fresh scents and scentless.

Zirkel Magnetic Pin Cushion. A magnetic pincushion that separates pins for easy pick up. Curve Runner. A rolling 8” and 12” ruler that makes measuring curves a breeze. Just roll it along and measure any length. Espadrilles. This new Dritz product line provides a quick and easy product to make both child and adult sized custom shoes.

Galaxy Electric Seam ripper. Quickly and easily rips seams out in seconds. Easy Binding Winder. Keeps binding clean and neat while ironing. Maywood Pre-Cuts. Sharing new fabric lines of strips, squares, and charm packs.

The E.E. Schenck Company philosophy is to provide the best products with the best value. Come check them out and bring your questions to the Road 2016 Marketplace. To learn more about EE Schenck, please visit their web site. ]]>

Tags: Dritz, Espadrilles, Marketplace, Maywood Studio/EE Schenck Company, Soak, Zirkel
Posted in Marketplace, Road 2016 | No Comments »