VINTAGE IS BACK



New Print in Japanese Lawn - Due Sept



Reflecting one of the most influential and enduring trends to hit both fashion runways and real life wardrobes in the past few years, vintage fashion – both fabrics and patterns – is being embraced in an unparalleled way by Spotlight.

Whilst on a buying trip to New York in recent times I spied a collection of vintage Diane von Furstenberg wrap dresses that were being re-released to a new generation of women.

All of a sudden a light went off in my head I thought about Spotlight and our ability to research, inspire and source great fabrics and decided a vintage collection of fabrics – based on genuine pattern samples from the 1950s, 60s and 70s – was something we could do like no one else.

Now, when you visit your local Spotlight store, you can see the results of this ‘light bulb’ moment with the wonderful collection of re-issued vintage prints on offer, exclusive to Spotlight. These are backed by re-issued vintage Vogue patterns that utilise the fabrics perfectly. Or you can adapt fabrics to modern fashion and accessory designs.

Vogue’s decision to re-issue classics from their collection is savvy. In the online world sellers are offering original old patterns (often now out of print) for $50 and above.

Our Buying team spent countless hours researching and sourcing original patterns from fashion’s heyday, not to mention exploring the company’s own 36-year fabric heritage. Dealing directly with skilled printers in Japan and elsewhere we now has a dedicated collection of classic fabrics to capture the imaginations of home sewers.

T

UNDER THE PUMP

The Spotlight Conference begins in 2 weeks where the store team and the support team met like one great big melting pot! It is an unbelievable, exhausting and exhilarating week as we all nut out the year ahead! Needless to say, we have a lot of preparation to take care of to ensure the stores get the answers and we are well versed with what’s happening!

My trusty side kicks “MD” & “AM” who at the best of times are like cattle musterers with their whips have been churning through the work more than usual as the work load builds!  “MD” has been cracking that whip with gusto and it was with no surprise that when I asked for today’s BLOG content, she swept down like an Eagle. So politely today I offer a simple project before I get another stare!

This is a brilliant and effective project, use your remnants, scraps and left over’s to create that designer look! One of the best selling Patterns McCalls 6344 – this is a pattern to keep. 

T

PASS THE TZATSIKI!

 Our Adonis of the office, long hair “N” is heading off to Greece tomorrow for what will be 5 weeks of whatever Greeks do on the beach- Regardless I am jealous!  We wish him a safe happy and relaxing jaunt on the Mediterranean! 

In recognition of his trip – have a look at this Stretch Cotton Sateen Collection “Mosaic”! If we can’t be there in body, we can be there in spirit.

Hurry Back Nick – our team is getting fewer & fewer!

T

CHRISTMAS IN JULY!



It’s Christmas most of the year in our office, we are either planning it, buying it, raising orders for it, approving samples for it, planning advertising for it and then we start analysing it!! Before Santa even comes down the chimney – we start doing it all over again!!

We are particularly exciting about this year’s Chrissie ranges which has arrived in store for Christmas in July! Our current favourite is the “Scandi Collection” which was inspired by vintage wrapping paper we picked up in America last year.

Range due in store; any day now...

M

DRILL IT DOWN

We are all starting to prepare now for Buying next Winters Fabrics, and from the little we have seen so far - it is going to be a very exciting season for Fabric junkies like us! Because it’s still cold and chilly, it’s a great time to start the preparation before we head overseas and look at what else we need to make our offer even more perfect for next Year.

But even with our heads thinking about next winter, and outside being a little bit chilly – it’s very exciting when we receive new Summer ranges that are bright and Fun.

Take a look at this brilliant range of Printed Drill that will be Instore for Summer! Printed on 100% Drill its perfect for Aprons, dresses, shorts, bags – where ever  your imagination takes you. (We have already had many of the team in the office put their hand up to take the sampling off our hands – always a good sign!!)

T

JUST LANDED & NOW TAKING OFF

Once in a while a print comes by that you know will just take off! We just received the sampling of our newest “Illustration Cotton Voile” – part of our Flora & Fauna Collection arriving in store September 2011.

Over 16 screens of color on a beautiful soft cotton Voile, Get in quick for this one as it will Fly!

On the office front, today we lose our Allocator J who is leaving us after 2 years and spreading his wings! We wish him all the best in love, life and career and hope he remembers the craziness that he has well and truly contributed too. GOOD LUCK J

T

Winding Roads by DS Quilt Collection

The talk continues about DENYSE SCHMIDT and the unbelievably popular DS quilting Collection!

Fresh across my desk has just come the new DS Collection called WINDING ROADS!

We were so excited; we wanted to share a sneak peak with you!

 Photographed is the patchwork bags which were inspired by Denyse’s free bag pattern available from her website www.dsquilts.com

Denyse’s bag makes use of a "cheater print" (it's one piece of fabric printed to look pieced), but we have made up some bags to replicate the look.

Watch out for her new range in store early September.

Price will be around the $16.95m mark in Australia / $19.99 in New Zealand and $19.95 in Singapore!

Let us know what you think.  WE LOVE IT!

M

Welcome to our Buying Office!

We are the passionate Buying Team members of Australias largest Fabric & Quilting Retailers in Australia & New Zealand - SPOTLIGHT.
Over the last 6 months we have been planning this Blog for people who are just as passionate about Fabric & Quilting as we are! We plan to give you a candid look at not only what happens in our office and Buying Trips, but a look at all the latest fabrics, trends and developments that are happening across the world!
We are a creative team of 13, comprising of different ages, nationalities and personalities which all fairs well for a diverse melting pot of emotions, tastes and opinions. Over the next couple of weeks you will be meeting and hearing about each of the team and how they contribute to our day!
The posts will broadcast from us the Buyers M & T, it will be our posts that you will follow, react to and hopefully be inspired by. We encourage your feedback and trust you will enjoy our Blog!

The Warped & the Weft