Scott Fortunoff Archives - American Quilt Retailer

Posted on June 23, 2021June 23, 2021 by AQR Piece by Piece

AQR Summer Camp: Learn more!

The 4th of July is just around the corner! Before you take vacation, check out AQR Summer Camp on July 1st from 12:00 to 1:30 p.m. CST.

Camp Details

The theme of AQR Summer Camp is “Show Off Your Shop” plus “Let’s Talk Batiks.” Scott Fortunoff of Jaftex Corp will kick off the event with his challenge for quilt shop owners. The challenge will be a great opportunity to develop your video skills while also showing off your store. Who knows, maybe you’ll get some new customers along the way? Winners of the challenge will get a visit from Scott to your store!

Following Scott, Karen Gibbs for the Love of Batiks will teach you how to make your batiks shine. During Karen’s session she’ll cover the whole nine yards, including batik education, purchasing, selling through your current stock, and developing an action plan. Make sure your batiks are selling at the best of their ability and hear how Karen has tackled the post-pandemic batik landscape.

Pricing

Pricing for this camp is $65 for non-subscribers and $35 for subscribers.

If you’re looking for more information to guide you in owning a retail business, subscribe to American Quilt Retailer today. Already a subscriber? No worries—join our Facebook group for insights and dialogue from industry specialists like you.

Posted on June 10, 2020June 9, 2020 by AQR Piece by Piece

Virtual Blue Bag Finale

This week we’re closing our Virtual Blue Bag series… for the time being. The event will be back in July! For a full list of products, head to our website.

Collections

Orchids in Bloom by Northcott. For light palettes and contemporary colors, check out this collection designed by Michel Design Works.
Benartex, Kanvas & Contempo: If you’re looking for a range from classic to modern, look no further than the Spring 2020 collection from Benartex, in association with Kanvas and Contempo.
Tropical Gardens by P&B Textiles: Nothing screams fun and vacation like this collection from P&B Textiles that includes two floral, three vines, and a multi-colored stripe.
Studio E Fabrics: Has over 10 new collections available. President Scott Fortunoff reviews the look book in this video.

Videos

Riley Blake Designs tutorials: Riley Blake Designs has been keeping busy; check out these tutorial videos on the Easiest Softest Baby Blanket and a Cooking Pouch for potatoes and vegetables.
Colonial Needle Company: If you weren’t sold before, Colonial Needle Company made a video highlighting products that may be perfect for you.
QT Fabrics Free Project: Don’t know what to do with leftover panels? Watch this video and head over to our website to download the PDF.

Other

Perkins Dry Goods Pattern: This pattern is just one of the many offered in the Virtual Blue Bag. Plus, Perkins Dry Goods has 15% off orders; check out their website to cash in on this deal.
Q’nique 21 Pro Sewing Machine: Head over to The Grace Company to get an overview of this product (and their sweet sale).
Quilter Select Products: Including the popular Select Quilting Rulers designed by Alex Anderson and RNK Distributing, check out their new sizes.

Posted on August 9, 2018 by AQR Piece by Piece

JAFTEX Facebook Live Shop Tour Challenge

This August, the president of JAFTEX Scott Fortunoff is hosting a competition for the opportunity to have him visit your store!

For those of you who don’t know, the collection of companies under the JAFTEX name include The Blank Quilting Corp., FreeSpirit Fabrics, Henry Glass Fabrics, Studio E Fabrics, Fabric Editions, and A.E. Nathan Co., Inc.

The idea for the competition stemmed from a couple quilt shop tours Scott has been taking this summer to highlight some amazing quilt shops around the United States that really go above and beyond.

After the first few tours, Scott started to receive many requests to visit others. That’s when Scott came up with the idea for the challenge, what better way to make the best use of time and being efficient than by going on virtual tours?

Here’s the gist: Post a 15 minute video of your brick and mortar store (either on Facebook live or just on your company’s Facebook page) during the month of August and tag @jaftexpresident. The video with the most likes on the Scott Fortunoff Executive Facebook Page will win the opportunity to have him visit your store and get some free Jaftex fabrics! Scott also requests that there be some charitable component of his visit. This part of the competition includes the U.S. and Canada (but excludes Alaska and Hawaii).

If you’re reading this outside of that territory—have no fear! The competition is global, and the video with the most likes outside of the U.S. and Canada (including you Alaska and Hawaii) will get 10 free bolts of any JAFTEX fabric shipped to your store at Scott’s expense.

Some tips for how to make your video great include practice, tidying up, and having fun! Show off what makes your store different, include any events or specials your store hosts, and show off some JAFTEX fabrics while you’re at it.

The best way to shoot a video from your phone is to hold it horizontally, make sure you have good wifi, move and talk slowly, and check out the lighting before you start. You can find out more tips and details about the competition at Scott Fortunoff’s blog.