The Last Blog for 2020

December 28, 2020 /

What a wild year it has been! Before we close it out though, I would like to say a few parting words, make a few comments, provide a few observations, make a few predictions, talk about resolutions and sew on. In no particular order, here we go:

Is 2021 Going To Be The 1? – The Hurricane Eye
  • 2021 has to be better than 2020 so we got that going for us.
  • Our fabric, quilting and sewing community will continue to grow. I see growth in the male quilting category as well as the under 18 category especially. I will be sure to try to help to grow those categories with the help of my awesome retail shop owner customers and my entire Jaftex team. I plan to try and work the guild angle too because there is a big opportunity to reinvigorate guilds especially by including more men and adding younger members. How many men and youngsters do you have in your guild? Probably not enough!
  • I hate to say it, but when the world opens back up, prices on fabrics and a lot of other products will be going up. Inflation is here. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.
  • In 2021, there will be a lot of unfulfilled resolutions like every year. For me, I have had my successes and failures with resolutions, but this year, I think I am going to forego resolutions. We had enough pressure in 2021. I am sure challenges will present themselves. Who needs the stress?
  • I promise not to wear my pajamas to another Zoom meeting because it was awfully embarrassing when…….well. Yeah, that!
  • I am going to work on making sure that my mask always coordinates with my outfit. You got to coordinate! This is a classic video from the Eddie Murphy movie Boomerang. Enjoy it!
  • I can’t wait to start traveling again. I miss visiting quilt shops and seeing customers. I miss all my co-workers in Charlotte, Greenville and the warehouse in Seneca, SC. Most of all, I miss making videos to share with all my Facebook fans to show all the behind the scenes at Jaftex.
  • I am sure that 2021 will be filled with lots of new ideas on social media as I finally hired a video and social media assistant. We need to push the limits and continue to dazzle consumers and shop owners alike with all of our awesome Jaftex fabrics. Also, you know if we are doing more on social media, we will likely have more giveaways.
  • There will be lots more charitable giving in 2021. With all that we have endured in 2020, there will be lots more people in need. We at Jaftex plan to contribute as much as possible to help those who are hurting.
  • I sure hope there is a quilt market this year because I really miss seeing a lot of my friends in the industry. I also miss spending time with all of our talented designers.
  • I wonder if any opportunities will arise for my family to acquire another fabric company. With the strong year the industry had, there probably are not a lot of companies struggling to survive. We shall see.
  • It will be interesting to see what Covid related adjustments to our lifestyles will stick beyond vaccination. I would imagine that I will be spending a lot less time in the office and more time in my home office. I also imagine that we will be wearing masks for well into the year.
  • I predict that you will see lots of new people and growth in the fabric industry. That means more shops, more online stores, more courses, more cruises and more competition.

I could go on and on, but I will spare you more of my rant. However, I do want to say thank you.

Thank you for regularly reading my blog posts and commenting. Thank you for following me on Facebook @jaftexpresident. Thank you for following me on Instagram at scott_fortunoff. Thank you for following me on YouTube at Scott Fortunoff. Thank you for buying fabrics from my companies. Thank you for helping Jaftex to reach 90 years in the fabric business. I am looking forward to 95 years, 100 years and the 5th generation, but let’s not rush it.

See you in 2021!

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29 Comments

  • Karen Scribner

    January 1, 2021 at 4:08 pm

    Thank you for all the words from a leader. And thanks most of all for the big prize! I will withdraw myself from playing but not from listening and learning.

  • Sandra Hubley

    December 31, 2020 at 9:45 am

    Thank you. Thankyou for being so open. Thankyou for being so kind. Thankyou for continuing to grow the fabrics industry. Thankyou for your generosity. Happy New Year.

    • Scott Fortunoff

      December 31, 2020 at 12:49 pm

      Awww. Thank you Sandra for such a nice comment. It was my pleasure. Looking forward to 2021!
      Be safe and well.
      Scott

  • Marilyn R

    December 30, 2020 at 10:03 pm

    Thank you for making 2020 more bearable. I work at one of the hospitals in OKC, non clinical, amd I see how tired our medical staff is. Plus my sister is having it rough financially so she will be moving I’m with my family at the beginning of the year. I haven’t had too much time to quilt but I plan on doing projects that are quick and easy so i can feel some sense of accomplishment. Wishing you and your family Peace and happiness in 2021.??

    • Scott Fortunoff

      December 31, 2020 at 1:03 pm

      Hi Marilyn,
      I like the way you think. Small projects to completion are the way to go. Definitely gratification for sure. Hang in there. This too shall pass.
      See you in 2021!
      Scott

  • Janet Wells

    December 30, 2020 at 7:40 pm

    Thank you for your consistent and uplifting presence. It’s nice to see the care and concern “from the top”! I sure hope that it’s safe to be out here still traveling, because I have been. I’m one of those distributor sales people who is still visiting shops, selling Jaftex fabrics, as well as many others. I can’t imagine being stuck away from the joy of the shop owners and all the pretty fabrics that I get to show. 2020 has been unreal. I’m so jazzed to see what 2021 has in store for us!

    • Scott Fortunoff

      January 3, 2021 at 11:36 am

      Hi Janet,
      Nice to meet you! If you are careful, you should be ok. Thanks for your nice comments and hard work selling Jaftex fabrics. Wishing you a prosperous year filled with lots of commissions.
      Regards,
      Scott

    • Scott Fortunoff

      January 3, 2021 at 11:34 am

      Hi Debbie,
      Let’s just say it’s going to be a great year. We have tons in store for you. Thanks for being a fan.
      Have a great year!
      Scott

  • Katie Coventry

    December 30, 2020 at 1:39 pm

    Thank you Scott for sharing and giving us a peek in to the fabric industry and your family.We all Enjoyed Brettie5G. Happy New Year 2021.

    • Scott Fortunoff

      January 3, 2021 at 11:35 am

      Hi Katie,
      Thank you! Everyone loves that Brettie 5G. I am going to talk to his agent.
      Be safe and well.
      Scott

  • Denise Munger

    December 30, 2020 at 12:20 pm

    I’m not making any promises for myself for the New Year either. Live your life to the fullest each day as much as you can. Yes there are some limits, But Life is too short. Turn the page to a brighter year making the World slowly open like the pedals of a flower. Everything will take time.
    The Quilting World has flourished and is expanding. So many new quilters/sewers which is amazing, creating a circle, creating new friendships throughout the world.
    This year has been totally different more people sewing, more people gardening, more people cooking and why not trying to get more men sewing. I totally agree. I’ve seen some men on YouTube that do amazing sewing projects.
    Have you ever sewn. If not this would be a great project for the New Year. This would be awesome !!!!!!! Bring it on Scott !!! Lol.
    I like so many others hope 2021 is soooo much better. Can’t wait to see what you come up with for the New Year. Love your blog, love your videos., love what you bring to the Quilting World. THANK YOU !!! Need to see a little more of 5G. Everyone loves him, future President of Jaftex but he has ways to go. He is a ray of sunshine.
    By the way has anyone ever told you that you do an AMAZING JOB for the Quilting World.
    Thank you Mr President for everything you do and taking your time to enrich the lives of Quilters/Sewers of the Fabric World ?. Thank you so much !!!!!!!
    Fabric is good for the Soul !!!!!!

    • Scott Fortunoff

      January 3, 2021 at 11:24 am

      Hi Denise,
      Such a thoughtful message. Thank you! I have done a little sewing and maybe I will do a little more this year. We shall see. It seems that I am more into the beauty and quality of the fabric than making something else beautiful with it. I am so glad you are enjoying all the fabric-tainment that my team and I are trying to bring.
      I will have to give Brettie 5g a raise and talk to his agent to see if I can get him on more. We shall see how that goes.
      You have a great year. Looking forward to have you with me for the ride.
      Be safe and well.
      Scott

  • Maryanne Wilson

    December 30, 2020 at 11:35 am

    Thanks for being you!!!
    You gave us so much to look forward to during the pandemic-Sunday afternoon trivia, not just fabric talk but we learned about who you are how you got there and that FAMILY is sooo important-it’s like we all became distance sewing relatives. The learning about what makes the fabric industry-the insider peaks, the amount of knowledge you have shared has been unmeasurable because you just keep giving and sharing!!!
    Thanks for being YOU!! Your ancestors have much to be proud of as they watch YOU and the wonderful man you are!!!
    Thanks-small word but heartfelt-you have been a beacon of hope during the darkness of 2020!!

    • Scott Fortunoff

      January 3, 2021 at 11:21 am

      Hi Maryanne,
      Thanks for being you 2! Awww, this is such a sweet message. I am tearing up. I am such a sap. I hope you are right about my ancestors. Glad to have you on the enjoy and share a little slice of my textile world with you and the rest of my extended familia!
      Be safe.
      Wishing you a great year!
      Scott

  • Terri Burton

    December 30, 2020 at 11:28 am

    Enjoy the journey, you have far to go and certainly have chosen a valued path. Thanks for all the bright spots of the year and many happy returns for the New Year.

    • Scott Fortunoff

      January 3, 2021 at 11:20 am

      Hi Terri,
      So true! Gotta enjoy the journey and take some time to wake up and smell the coffee. Let’s do this 2021 right!
      Have a great year.
      Scott

  • DAWN STEVENSON

    December 30, 2020 at 10:55 am

    Your blog, videos, classes and give aways have been a bright spot in these dark times. I am looking forwars to the new year and the may releases of several of your fabrics. Already started saving for them. Happy New Year to you and all your family both at home and work. Please keep up the great job you are doing.

    • Scott Fortunoff

      January 3, 2021 at 11:19 am

      Hi Dawn,
      Thank you so much for your kind words. I am going to do my best to keep it going. Wishing you a great year too!
      Scott

  • Quilting Jeannie

    December 30, 2020 at 9:56 am

    Here is to a new year that brings health, wealth, and happiness into our lives.
    Can’t wait to see what Jaftex presents to us this year.

    • Scott Fortunoff

      January 3, 2021 at 11:18 am

      Hi Quilting Jeannie,
      Same to you! We got this! I can’t wait to see what I have to present too. Let’s see what the world throws at me. Be safe!
      Scott

    • Scott Fortunoff

      December 31, 2020 at 12:48 pm

      Hi Paula,
      You are too sweet. Glad to have helped you get through a rough year. Looking forward to 2021!
      Cheers!
      Scott