Setting the Record Straight: The Blank Quilting Corp.
I am back again to set the record straight and clear up the ever-annoying misconceptions in the fabric world that exist about my businesses. This week, I am focused on the Blank Quilting Corp. and how crazy it is to me that people still think the company is owned by Mr. Blank.
In 2014, my family purchased the Blank Quilting Corp. from Mr. Blank. I can’t believe it has been almost 10 years. Following the acquisition, there were loads of changes made at Blank (BQC) as that is part of our typical acquisition playbook.
For argument’s sake, let’s just say that the Blank Quilting Corporation didn’t have the best reputation when we purchased it. That probably led to the company’s demise and hence how it ended up in the Jaftex fold. The problem is that some people in our industry missed the news and never heard that BQC changed hands. They still think Mr. Blank owns the company. That couldn’t be more untrue and in there lies the source of all the misinformation, confusion and frustration that I am addressing here today.
With that, let me start off by telling the world that BQC is owned by the Fortunoffs of Jaftex. Yes, Mr. Blank is gone and a lot has changed for the better since he left. I can go on and on about the changes we made to Blank to improve it, but my focus is on the most important one….the quality of the fabric sold by BQC.
Allow me to tell you a brief story. I recently got an email from one of our licensed designers. She was asking if she could move her designs from Blank to one of the other brands. I asked her, “Why?” There were a few reasons, but one of the reasons struck a chord with me. The designer explained that after querying a bunch of store owners about her lines and why the shop owners don’t buy them, she learned that people deem BQC to have poor-quality fabric. Eesh! That’s the last thing someone in the fabric industry wants to hear especially someone whose family has been in the business for 93 years.
As I replied back to her email, I asked her, “What’s wrong with the quality?” She explained that people didn’t like the quality. This so clearly proves to me that this is some seriously outdated data or the news that we bought Blank still hasn’t reached all corners of the earth. I know this because all the Jaftex fabrics are printed at the same 5 or so mills. Ironically, I don’t hear any complaints about the quality from Studio E, Henry Glass or FreeSpirit. Yet, people are still complaining about BQC. Do you see where my frustration is coming from?
You can of course imagine my disappointment and frustration hearing that people are still basing their purchase decisions on such outdated information. That is why I am here today to say it again to the fabric world. Please hear this loud and clear.
THE BLANK QUILTING CORPORATION IS OWNED BY THE FORTUNOFFS OF JAFTEX AND THEIR FABRICS ARE PRINTED IN THE SAME PLACE AS ALL THE OTHER JAFTEX COMPANIES. THE TOP SOUTH KOREAN TEXTILE MILLS.
That’s the message for today. Please share the news with your local quilt shop owner. Please tell a friend and let’s get the facts straight here. Not only that, but go out and buy some Blank fabric and see for yourself how fabulous the quality is. Thanks for your support in trying to help me set the record straight.
Have a great week!
11 Comments
Pamela Meyers Arbour
I’m glad that your designers are willing to tell you about these issues. It’s unfortunate but probably the nature of the beast
Kara E Benavides
Good Grief! But I know this misconception is true. I have run into it when I ask for a particular fabric and am told “we don’t stock that, we don’t like their fabric.” I am a small voice. But I have definitely been re-educating where necessary, not just Blank, but Jaftex, and why you can buy all their fabric without worry.
MaryJane Mitchel
Scott, I hear you loud and clear. All of your fabrics are always first quality.
Thanks for setting the record straight.
MaryJane
Kim
We use to carry the old Blank fabric, but the rep rarely came around and when she did she only sold us stuff that was not current at the time. So she quit coming around when we wouldn’t by old stuff that we knew no one would buy. Haven’t seen a rep in yrs. So, we do now get some when we go to the vendors warehouse close to us. Great fabric.
Kenneth Vlodek
Another interesting article!
In this case , it may be that stores that purchased fabric from the original owner are just conditioned from receiving a lower quality fabric to believe that no matter who owns the company that is going to be the case.
As a suggestion I would not even bring up the past of Blank . It just raises negative feelings. I would invest some marketing dollars into promoting the line, talking about the quality of the fabric and any unique aspects of the designs. Just move to create a positive vibe!
Brenda Buddenhagen
Wow! Makes me crazy after all these years of selling Blank Quilting fabric we are still dealing with this. I started in 2007 when Mr Blank took it out of the chains and went to better greige goods. Just because, they knew to sell strictly to quilt shops we needed to provide great quality. Then in 2014 Jaftex bought and continued to bring us into even better quality fabric.
Why, would we not try to keep upping our quality. That is how you stay in the industry. We do not go cheap on our basics and they are the same quality that we do any of our lines. Overall we are on better quality 108″ too.
Why would we sink our ship on lousy quality fabric. How would that benefit us in anyway. All companies change and grow or they do not continue. I am proud to sell Blank Quilting all these years. I have other Jaftex lines to sell but this was how I started as a Rep. I am still proud of our fabric and all the other Jaftex lines.
If someone hasn’t tried it in years, give it a try. You will be pleasantly surprised.
Deb
I agree with Leslie White, sop owners should know their product and beable to educate their customers.
Blank Quilting is fabulous fabric as well all of the other Jaftex fabrics.
Rachael Woodard
We love Blank Quilting Fabrics! I didn’t know Blank before you bought it, and so don’t have anything negative to counteract…
But, in some respects, we’re thankful when some of those who don’t educate themselves age out of the business!
LOVE, love, LOVe Blank. I wish I could buy all the lines.
Chris K.
But is the cloth woven in the same place as the other companies? That is, is the preprinted cloth the same quality?
Scott Fortunoff
Of course. Do you think we are taking the time to buy different qualities of greige goods? No, we are not.
Leslie White
What the heck!!!! Quilt Shop owners ( and designers, for that matter!) Have an obligation to educate themselves (AND their customers) about the products they sell!
How are you NOT doing this with what you are spending your $ on ( or tying your reputation to)?
Scott, I appreciate why you feel the need to do these ” setting the record syraight” blogs. But man! Does it make me crazy!
Shop owners should always know the lines/ makers/ quality of the products they sell if they are keeping up with their business.
I have really come to realize in the last few years how crucial it is to educate our consumers as this business changes,evolves and grows.
I am sorry you have to do these!
We LOVE our Jaftex lines….we carry them all….no complaints here, friend!