Embracing Change
I don’t always understand my teenagers, but I think I finally get the SpongeBob meme. With each new generation, we have an opportunity to discover a fresh perspective on the world. Younger generations tend to be maligned because we are fearful of new ideas, forgetting that change often represents progress. While the static of the Internet can make it difficult to discern fact from fiction, access to information allows this new generation to be more knowledgeable than ever before. They give me hope.
As we age, we should be open to ideas that expand our mindset, which can actually help us feel happier and more secure in a rapidly changing world. Our ability to adapt to new situations is key to our evolution, both literally and figuratively. This same notion is true in our professional lives. I recently talked with Sandi Hazlewood on the Crafty Planner podcast about change, specifically about how the fabric industry is adapting — or not. In order to reach out to the next generation we can’t simply look at marketing studies about Millennial buying trends, but we should make a concerted effort to welcome innovation. In business, as in culture, new perspectives are often introduced through diversity, an area where the fabric industry is failing miserably.
Over 80% of major US home sewing fabric manufacturers are owned exclusively by men, while the majority of designers and customers are women, creating an imbalance of power. Although I don’t know the statistics, you can look around at Quilt Market and clearly see that there is a disturbing absence of racial diversity. During this time of deep political division in our country, some may dismiss diversity as a form of “political correctness.” Obviously we should be more inclusive because it’s the right thing to do, but from a business perspective, diversity can drive innovation in this bloated and faltering industry. Studies prove that bringing different perspectives to the table can invigorate growth and promote innovation.
Over the years I’ve seen aesthetic changes in the fabric industry as the mantle is passed from one generation to the next, but the fundamental business model remains stagnant, while potential customer demographics evolve. Fabric companies should make diversity a priority. As a customer, you can support conscientious companies by making deliberate, thoughtful purchases. It’s time to embrace change.
By the way, I had avocado toast for breakfast — and it was delicious.
Spring Market
If you’ve been following along on social media, you might have noticed that my new obsession is turning paper cut designs into screen prints. I’ll be selling some goods and fabric at the Indie Craft Experience Spring Market this weekend and will be listing more items in my shop soon.
Sewn Journals
I took some of my screenprinted paper experiments and made a few journals. This is a fast and useful project. You can find the tutorial here.
Links
My conversation with Sandi Hazlewood on the Crafty Planner podcast in which we discuss the lack of diversity in the home sewing industry. Don’t forget to support Sandi’s work!
From Bed to Wall: Elevating the Quilt from Necessity to Art from my newsletter last year. My conversation with Sandi about cultural appropriation reminded me to come back to this.
In the podcast, we also talked about the feminist nature of crafting. You can read more of my thoughts on that in another previous newsletter The Paradox of Crafting. You can learn more about the harmful effects of fast fashion by watching The True Cost.
Also relevant: Being Inclusive and Accountable in Craft Industry Marketing from the Craft Industry Alliance July 2017.
To Avoid More Racist Hoodies, Retailers Seek Diversity from The New York Times.
Quilts as Tools for Resistance from Hyperallergic.
Knitting Can Reduce Anxiety, Depression, Chronic Pain, and Slow Dementia from the Independent.
Sneak peek! My next fabric collection is coming this summer! This collection is just three designs in three colorways all printed on Kokka’s signature cotton/linen blend. Gold metallics! Llamas!
Thank you for reading.
-Ellen