RJR Enforces MAP Pricing for Cotton+Steel; Retailers React
Fabric company RJR sent an email to retailers notifying them of a minimum advertised pricing (MAP) policy that will go into effect for Cotton+Steel on December 1, 2018. The policy limits the ability of retailers to advertise prices below a certain level.
UK Sewing Magazines Show Lack of Diversity in Cover Models
In 2016 Rumana Lasker looked at 52 sewing magazines published in the UK that year and realized that every single one featured a white woman on the cover.
“One of the things that struck me the most…is the feeling of being undervalued- as a consumer, as a person,” says Lasker a British sewer who was a quarter-finalist on the Great British Sewing Bee. “Because it is no exaggeration to say that by failing to represent us, they are telling people of color that we don’t matter.”
read moreFolkwear Patterns: Serving Generations of Sewists
Folkwear is one of the oldest independent sewing pattern companies. They publish global, historical, and vintage sewing patterns, often including extensive cultural history, textile information, and handwork embellishment instructions in their patterns.
Show Report: International Quilt Festival, 2018
Many people consider the International Quilt Festival, held yearly in Houston, TX to be the Mothership of all quilt shows. It’s certainly the largest, most diverse gathering of quilters in the world. As a long-time teacher in the industry, Lyric Kinard has had the privilege of attending a number of times and has met quilters from all over the United States and around the world. Who knew there were quilters in Greece and Turkey? This time around she ran into friends from Australia and New Zealand, Europe and South America. It’s truly a place where she can find her tribe in all its glorious diversity. Lyric tells us all about what was new and exciting at Festival this year in this show report.
How to Take a Selfie: A Professional Photographer’s Tips on Lighting, Background & More
As a creative person and a small business owner, you may have wondered how you can photograph yourself and still put your best digital foot forward. Getting professional photos is a great option, but sometimes you just need to take a quick shot to help market your business. We asked a professional photographer for expert tips on taking great selfies. Here’s what she told us!
Making Things App Attempts New Pattern Subscription Model
Making Things is a new web app that launched on October 30 to the knit and crochet community and has provoked intense online discussion about the cost of pattern, designer compensation, and disclosure of affiliate links. Created by Megan Elizabeth and her partner, Rob Andrew, and based in Melbourne, Australia, Making Things is a monthly subscription service providing access to over 1,000 patterns as well as web-based pattern reading tools including stitch counters, row highlighters, chart grids, and editable notes, plus 24-hour live pattern support.
Show Report: Southeast Animal Fiber Fair 2018
On October 26-28, 2018, fiber enthusiasts gathered at the Western North Carolina Agricultural Center for the Southeast Animal Fiber Fair (SAFF). This year’s show was no ordinary year, though, as SAFF organizers and attendees celebrated the 25th anniversary this year. Ashley Little was there and brings us this report.
Corporate Member Profile: Sulky
Craft Industry Alliance is excited to announce that Sulky has joined us as a corporate member. Sulky has a longstanding history in the sewing community and is best known for their rayon threads and stabilizers. The rayon threads and stabilizers are used most often for machine embroidery and quilting, but these make up only a portion of their products.
Recent Staffing Changes at Craft Companies
There have been a few recent staffing changes at craft companies so we thought we’d round them up here.
F+W Sells Martha Pullen Company and The Original Sewing & Quilt Expo to Hoffman Media
F+W has sold the Martha Pullen Company and its portfolio of books, patterns, teacher curriculums, in-person and online events, and online embroidery club to Hoffman Media. The sale includes the Original Sewing & Quilt Expo, a suite of eight consumer sewing, quilting and embroidery shows in the US.