Sewing in the time of COVID-19 – Week 51
In the coming week we have 2 anniversaries to observe:
* 1 year since the start of the pandemic here in Colorado.
* 22 years since Paul and I started our business in the basement of our home.
You may be aware that big bold African prints have been a hot trend in couture fashion in Europe. We see that trend growing in the US now. We are trying to get out ahead of this trend by stocking more specialty fabrics and products imported from Africa or inspired by Africa. Shipping has been delayed for most of our suppliers due to the ports being jammed up during the pandemic. When we get a big shipment it is cause for celebration!
Right now Langa Lapu is completing another special custom order for us in South Africa. I posted a photo (on the eQuilter Facebook page and our other social media) of the ladies working on the rainbow panels for us – these are exclusive to eQuilter and they have been selling out fast!
We have a new line of imported African prints coming in the next couple weeks, and we just got word that one of our favorite artists is teaming up with a manufacturer again to produce her gorgeous African tribal collections.
There are lots of other exciting trends bubbling up now, as a result of so many artists staying home during the pandemic, and creating fabulous new art for our industry. We are tracking these trends and will have all of these online as fast as possible so YOU can enjoy these delightful new colors and ideas as well!
Festival Update:
eQuilter is a major sponsor for many quilt festivals around the world, including Houston and Canada. We are sponsoring a $5000 Mastery cash prize this fall in Houston, and we are a Platinum sponsor for the Canadian Quilt Association’s online event in June. We were a Gold sponsor of QuiltCon recently, which I know many of you attended…and enjoyed!
This is our commitment to support quilt artists and the quilting industry, and I sincerely hope to see many of you in Houston the end of October. I am planning to be at the Tuesday night awards ceremony to hand a $5K check to another quilt artist with dazzling talent. Who knows…it just might be YOU.
And to think….22 years ago when I started out with 300 bolts in my basement…I thought this was going to be a part-time business so I could stay home with my kids. Watch for my Anniversary e-newsletter on Wednesday.
with hope for the future,
Luana and Paul
Mon March 8 – Color Trend Interview with Martha Sielman for SAQA goes LIVE
Sat March 13, 2 pm – “International Quilt Trends” Zoom lecture – Rocky Mountain Creative Quilters
