Tales Of A Fourth Generation Textile Executive: The Deal Of A Lifetime!

February 26, 2018 /

Hello Friends!

It happened!  The rumors are all true!  Yes, my family is buying FreeSpirit in the deal of a lifetime.  While I was out enjoying vacation with my wife and kids for school break, my dad, Robert (3rd generation), and brother, Greg (4th generation), pulled off what I think will be our most pivotal acquisition ever (we have had around 15-20 companies under our Jaftex umbrella in our 88 years in business.)  They put this all together on their own in record time because they wanted me to not be bothered on my family vacation.  That is what a family business is all about.  With support staff, lawyers, accountants and the lovely and professional team at Coats, they pulled a rabbit out of a hat.  Bravo guys!

It’s not everyday that you get a chance to buy one of the premier players in the industry.  I mean, where do I even start?  Kaffe Fassett and his collective!  Boom!   Tula!  Anna!  Amy! (Omg, I can’t wait to meet them all!) Also, there is The Original Morris & Co.!  I can keep going, but you don’t need me to tell you because these are your idols.  These people are quilting royalty or “machers” as I like to call them.  For all those that watch the Saturday Night Live Coffee Talk series, I must say that I am completely and utterly verklempt (in Yiddish that means a person that is so overwhelmed that they can’t speak.) I mean, over the top excited and I don’t even know where to begin.  This is going to give our family so much credibility as an industry leader.  We are now in an ideal position to push the #sewrevolution agenda and quilting for the fifth and sixth generations of Fortunoffs.

Henry Glass!  Studioe!  Blank Quilting!  Scott’s Free Sewing Machines!  Fabric Editions & A.E.  Nathan Co., Inc.! #sewrevolution!  All of our partners in the US and worldwide including Stof of Denmark, Sykel Fabrics, Air-Lite Batting, Oasis Fabrics, 3 Wishes, Quilter’s Palette & Ellie’s Quiltplace of Belgium.  All of our employees.  All of our sales reps.  I hope I didn’t leave anyone out….sorry if I did.  This is just so exciting.  I hope it is very clear that we are committed…..to the insane asylum….did I say that out loud?  But seriously, if this doesn’t show the world how we feel about this amazing industry, I just don’t know what will.

So without boring you to death, let’s jump right to the chase.  FreeSpirit is back and is going to be better than ever.  The sales reps will have loads of beautiful fabrics to show.   We will be at Quilt Market in Portland.  We will be at the VDTA Show.  If you are wondering if we will be there, the answer is yes, yes and yes again.

I welcome with open arms the opportunity to add FreeSpirit to our stable of well known brands.  I am going to learn a lot from this company and that is an exciting prospect for me as I grow as a fourth generation textile executive.  I am always pushing to be a better businessman and this deal will certainly help to propel me to the next level.

We are blessed to have retained most, if not all, of the licensing talent and the staff at FreeSpirit.  We are just under a new and improved management.  There will be some changes no doubt, but those changes will focus on managing costs better and letting people know that FreeSpirit is here to stay and is as stable as ever.  You could rely on us, our basics, our quality, our top notch designers and designing, our team, me, my family and so much more.  I could go on and on, but I know I had you at “hello.”  Please help to welcome the FreeSpirit team to the Jaftex team!

Thanks for your support.

Scott, proud son and brother.

P.S.  What do you have to say about that?

P.S.S..…Here is where you can find my Executive Facebook page.

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121 Comments

  • Stephanie

    March 12, 2018 at 8:02 am

    I am so excited! You have made my husband and I very happy. We operate an Etsy/Amazon/Shopify business where we make and sell products that use these fabrics. Your family has saved the day!

  • Doreen Balimidi

    March 9, 2018 at 7:39 pm

    Hi Scott
    Great news about acquiring Free Spirit! I own a small Bead shop but my first love is quilting!
    And now my daughter, Cait, who has recently learned how to sew wants to learn to make quilts. We are lucky enough to have several quilt stores in the CT area. I would like to honor my daughter by recommending her for a donated sewing machine. She has Epilepsy and diabetes that she has with daily since she was four years old, the diabetes came later in her 20s. And because of her seizures, it affects her memory and learning can be difficult.
    She always has to stay vigilant with her sugar levels because sudden spikes or drops she can have a seizure. But you wont hear her complain about it, she takes it all in stride and has learned to readapt her life to her disabilities. She had to quit working in hair salons (hairstylist) as the stress, the chemicals, would trigger a seizure. She isnt allowed to drive so relies on family and friends.
    She is on disability So her income is limited so affording a sewing machine on her own is not in the budget. She recently learned how to sew, gift certificate at a sewing school, and she picked up sewing like a natural. She made a pillow and saw my quilt books which she now wants to learn how to make quilts. I think she would be great at it.
    She organizes fund raisers for the Diabetes and Epilepy Foundation. She educates people about what epilepsy is and what it is not so people arent afraid of it, afraid of her. The amazing thing is she has gone through alot but still gets up in the morning and believes today will be a good day. Im very proud of her, as you can see.

  • Sue Cardenas

    March 2, 2018 at 1:46 pm

    SO happy to hear that my love affair with all thing Kaffe can continue. I do hope you can get back to the Kaffe Westminster fabric. It was so soft, such a beautiful hand. You didn’t have to wash it before you had a lovely soft quilt. The Free Spirit is not as nice. Trying to wait patiently for the new Kaffe designs to get to the stores, Best , Sue

  • Christa Watson

    February 28, 2018 at 8:54 pm

    Although I design fabric with another company – I’ve enjoyed reading your blog for awhile and especially your take on the quilting industry. I’m pleased that your family will be taking the helm at Free Spirit and I look forward to more energetic blog posts to come!!

  • Steve Palmer

    February 28, 2018 at 1:31 pm

    We were so excited to hear that our friends at Free Spirit have joined a new and wonderful family! The perfect match! Congratulations to you Scott and to your family for recognizing this once in a lifetime opportunity! May all your wishes come true!
    Steve Palmer

  • eileen sawits

    February 28, 2018 at 9:36 am

    Best news ever!! Best of luck in your new acquisition! I love Kaffe! The thought of losing those gorgeous fabrics was too much! THANK YOU!!

  • Kaye

    February 28, 2018 at 5:23 am

    Well done, what a fantastic exciting future, and Scott, it been a pleasure to see you respond to every comment and the time and effort that takes. Engaging with you customer base this way, makes us loyal to your organisation and brands. Looking forward to what amazing things will come next

  • Kathy C

    February 28, 2018 at 12:12 am

    Thank you, thank you, thank you!!! I didn’t know how I was going to buy enough fabric to last me for the rest of my life if these people were not around. Now I can finally go to bed and sleep. WHEW, what a relief! I wish your company only the very best as you go forward with these new additions!!!

  • Kristi

    February 27, 2018 at 7:59 pm

    I’m just learning about all these great designers! Heard from a dear friend that was so concerned about the outcome. Just made my first quilt using Kaffe fabrics and they’re the bomb! I wish you all the best luck in the world! So exciting.

  • Karen J

    February 27, 2018 at 7:51 pm

    Thank you, thank you! Many of us have been worried about what was going to happen, now we know we’ll still be able to buy the quality we’re used to having.

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