Time to take a look at all the amazing things that happened at Style Maker Fabrics in 2017! After five new fabric collections, two style tours and all the incredible memories we made a long the way, it was a pretty amazing year! Our small business continues to grow with all the love and support of the sewing community. We can’t thank you all enough and look forward to what 2018 will bring. Now let’s take a look at a few of the highlights from the year!
Sewing and Stitchery Expo
We started the year off with a bang diving right into planning our spring collection and prepping for our first ever show! In March, we took Style Maker Fabrics on the road and set up shop at the Sewing and Stitchery Expo in Puyallup, Washington! During the show we taught four classes, met loads of amazing makers and got to share a bit of Style Maker Fabrics in person rather than only online. It was an incredible experience and we can’t wait to do it all again March 2018 with an even bigger booth!
Spring & Fall Style Tours
For us, the highlight of launching a new season is the Style Blog Tour that comes with it! After months of planning behind the scenes we anxiously wait, along with all of you, to see what each seamstress creates for their leg of the tour. We have made so many amazing friends thru this process over the last two years, both bloggers and customers, and we love seeing all of your styles shine with each of your makes! Spring 2018 is already on our minds…any special requests?
Click on the links to find full a recap of our Spring Style Tour 2017 and Fall Style Tour 2017.
Meeting Sewing Friends
After getting to know people from this amazing sewing community online, it is always a treat when you get to meet them IRL. During our travels this year we got to catch up with some amazing seamstresses!
First, in plotting out family heritage trip to Scandinavia, we added a stop in Helsinki, Finland to check out the city and of course visit the Named Studio. It was lovely to talk with Laura and Saara and get a sneak peak at a few things they were working on. Helsiniki ended up being one of our favorite cities on the whole trip, so we will definitely be back!
Sewing shows gave us the opportunity to meet a few more sewing friends! In May we made our way to St. Louis for the annual Spring Quilt Market. Lori, Girls in the Garden, joined us for lunch and to check out the show for a bit. After almost two years of messaging and emailing we had a great visit and can’t wait to do it again! A few month later we hopped across the pond for a week in London and met up with Rachel, House of Pinheiro, and the girls from the Fold Line (Rachel and Kate) at British Sewing Live! The UK sewing community is truly amazing and wonderful to experience everything it has to offer when you visit.
Favorite Makes
This year we definitely didn’t get to sew as much as we wanted too—price of running your own small business. But the makes we did get done are well loved and worn often! Here are a few of our favorites.
- Athleisure Gemma Sweater — Our Fall Style Tour make in cozy velour.
- Watercolor Ebony Tunic — One of our most worn garments.
- Boiled Wool Sapporo Coat — Equally stunning and cozy
- Anthro-Inspired Jill Coatigan – Money saving comfort and style.
Top Patterns
Last but not least, our top selling indie patterns from 2017. Some of our personal favorites made the list and three from one of our favorite designers, Closet Case Patterns. You might even find one of the Top 5 featured four times earlier in this post… we may be addicted.
- Kelly Anorak Jacket | Closet Case Patterns — Crowd favorite at Sew Expo.
- Sapporo Coat | Papercut Patterns — Cocoon chic.
- Talvikki Sweater | Named — Winter style and warmth.
- Ebony Tee & Dress | Closet Case Patterns — Versatile fit and flair.
- Charlie Caftan | Closet Case Patterns — Warm weather escape.
Thank you all again in sharing with an amazing 2017 with us! We are looking forward to an even better 2018—more incredible designer fabrics, new favorite patterns and lots of stylish makes! Happy New Year!
Thank you for having such a great source for incredible fabrics. I love how your website is designed and it is so easy to find the perfect fabrics. It was such a pleasure to meet you and your mom in St. Louis, a highlight of my year. Also, a big big thank you for including me in your Style Tours this year, I really appreciate the opportunity.
I, too, love your website and ease of ordering fabrics. I am especially drawn to rayon challis as I live in hot, humid Houston, TX so I appreciate your large assortment of them.
Love your fabric, see you in Puyallup!!
Loved your booth at Sewing & Stitchery Expo last year! Can hardly wait to see what you bring this year! I bought the same fabric you have in your watercolor ebony tunic. Plan to have a top made from it by Expo. Will you have the cute ceramic spool magnetic pin holders at Expo?
Yes, we will! See you there!