Have you heard about Modern Yardage, a new fabric design, manufacturing and retail company? Owner April Cobb and her team have just launched the business in March, printing fabric on-demand from their offices in Utah.
Modern Yardage offers designs from new and untapped talents who are professional designers. What is also fun about this new company is that the fabrics are based on 44″ designs, but they are printed on 58″ wide fabric, so the additional space in the margin is filled with fun extras!
I was excited to chat more with April about her launch of this creative business including the biggest challenges and what she hopes for the future. Read on, and be sure to enter the giveaway if you’d like to try out Modern Yardage fabric for yourself!
April, what is your background in, career-wise, and how did you become interested in modern fabric and sewing?
I have an advertising/marketing background. I worked in large ad agencies in New York City and Washington DC then after receiving my MBA, I worked in marketing and communications for the Intel Corporation. But I have been sewing seriously since High School (sort of freakishly, actually) and have always loved it. I spent hours as a teenager making my own prom dresses, bathrobes, and costumes. When I started staying home with my kids, I started a little business where I made tote bags and sold them at craft fairs and farmers markets. One day I walked into Pine Needles, a little modern quilting shop in the Salt Lake City area, and my life changed. I fell in love with modern quilting fabric. I hadn’t seen it before that moment. My bags became more beautiful because of this great find. This led to my designing a perfect, comfortable headband called the Macy Jayne Reversible Headband. From the beginning I used beautiful modern quilting fabrics as part of the design and people just wouldn’t stop asking where I got my fabric. The headbands became so popular and sold so well that I was going through fabric like crazy. I started looking into getting fabric wholesale, which got me more involved in the industry. Before long I was designing sewing patterns with Joel Dewberry and then started licensing my sewing patterns to Riley Blake.
Can you tell me about when the idea for Modern Yardage first started simmering? How did you create your plan of attack?
Through being a part of the industry and learning a lot from our friends and experiences in the industry, my husband and I became aware of the shortcomings of the fabric world. We recognized that there is an enormous lag time of 6 months to 1 year before fabric gets from the designer’s completed product to the arrival of the actual printed bolts of fabric into fabric stores in the US. This makes for a lot of speculation on trends. We recognized how from a fabric line, there are winner prints and there are loser prints. No one knows for certain which will sell and which won’t. So there are often too many bolts that get discounted and the designers, design companies, and the retailers lose money. Then the designs that do very well are in short supply and sewists and crafters can’t get them when they need them. Retailers miss out on the opportunity to sell those designs when they can’t get enough of them in time. Additionally, there are so many talented designers who don’t get the opportunity to get their designs on fabric. Traditional design companies cannot afford to give as many talented designers as they would like, the opportunity to work with them because their financial risk is too high and they often don’t even have warehouse space to house anymore lines of fabric.
My husband, Jay, and I were aware of the capabilities of digital textile printing and had learned a few things about it. I am not exactly sure how all of this came together into one brilliant thought. I only know that one morning, less than a year ago, Jay walked down the stairs and said, “I know what we need to do.” This is when he told me about his inspiration and his plan. I knew immediately that his idea of printing modern designs onto fabric, on-demand, had to be the way of the future. We leaped into bringing our vision into reality immediately and just 5 months later, modernyardage.com was live on the web. We have added to his original vision and have innovated to showcase our technology and unique use of our tools. It has all come together extraordinarily well.
We scouted out talented designers, created a vision for the branding of our company, built a website, ordered and built equipment, then rented a space for Modern Yardage to call home.
What were the practical barriers that you had to overcome in order to start your business?
We were fortunate enough to have enough money to start our business so that we didn’t have to share equity and could keep full control of our company. We have had some challenges in staffing. The roles we needed filled from the beginning were few, but it was critical that we found people who could contribute to our vision and carry it out effectively. In the end, we have taken on more ourselves than we should because it is too early and formative of a time to put others in the position to create the path to fulfilling our vision.
When we approached our first 5 designers, we had a resounding YES! from each of them. We felt very blessed to happen upon such a great group of people who believed in our vision, supported our efforts, and had patience with us. Cindy Lindgren, Heather Dutton, Emilie Daly, Dana Morgan, and Katie Schrader all had enough faith in our big idea to sign an exclusive fabric contract with us before we even had a logo or equipment. None of them had ever even met us in person. They just recognized early on that what we were doing had to be the way of the future and provided a great opportunity for them to be pioneers with us. As far as legal issues go, we approach legalities very seriously because Jay is an attorney as well as an MBA. He is able to work brilliantly with licensees to make agreements that are beneficial to them as well as to Modern Yardage.
The technology has been challenging. It took us and our operations manager a while to get the hang of it all. We are still learning all of the time and have certainly had moments of frustration and have even shed a few tears. At this point we have the operations well under control and we are now focusing on leveraging our technology to bring some new, never-before-seen innovations to the fabric world.
What does your typical day or week look like? How do you find a balance?
Oh dear! I don’t know how I pull it off sometimes. I get up early and get my kids off to school then go to work. I answer countless emails from hopeful designers, fulfill requests from our current designers, and I answer questions from customers. I work on strategy with staff concerning marketing and operations and manage priorities and schedules. There is always work to do on our website and products to add. Fortunately we now have a great team at Modern Yardage that works well together. The commitment of everyone and support that I get from operations and marketing keeps me going. I leave to pick up my kids from school in the afternoon and then take time off until they are all in bed. Then I stay up too late tying up details and writing more emails.
I still have piles of laundry to fold each week that often don’t get folded and soccer practices and swimming lessons to go to with my kids. I have to figure out what to make for dinner each night and try to get my kids to where they need to be on time. I am like all working moms, but since I am in charge, I can create my own flexibility. I never want my children to feel like I am not paying attention or that they aren’t important to me so I have to keep things as separate as possible. Jay and I really enjoy working together and talking about Modern Yardage and our goals for the business. Like our children, our business also brings us closer because it is also our baby. I don’t have great balance in my life, but I am not sure I ever will. I just make the best of things, set my priorities and keep a positive attitude. Somehow things usually work out.
What is your vision for Modern Yardage, and how does this tie in with what you believe is the future of the textiles business?
Our vision for Modern Yardage extends far beyond where it is now. We think that what we offer now is great, but we do have some tricks up our sleeve. Over the next year, new features will be added to our site that will allow more customization. These options will blow the minds of our customers. In a few years, we plan to expand in a way that will entirely change the way that people buy fabric. We are building strategic alliances so that our fabric becomes more readily available. Jay’s main responsibility is implementing our strategic plan, which includes building key alliances and managing critical research and development both with our equipment and our user interface. We think that before long, as technology improves and becomes more affordable, digital textile printing will take over. The old fashion way of screen printing fabric and importing it from overseas will be obsolete and the possibilities will be endless in textile design. Imaginations will soar and the industry will never look back.
Giveaway!
Modern Yardage is giving you the chance to win 2 yards of fabric of your choice! To enter to win, fill out the Rafflecopter widget below. Good luck!
294 comments
Wow! Thanks for the giveaway! 🙂
What a great idea for a business!! Best wishes to you!
I love the designs! Sewing is becoming so fun and trendy again, it’s wonderful to have some new, fresh fabrics to work with!
Ooh! Hope I Win This One 🙂
They print on 58″ wide fabric!
You have some awesome fabrics!
Love the concept and the approach.
thanks for the opportunity to win!
This is a great giveaway. The hardest part would be choosing the fabric.
She has as difficult a time getting laundry folded as I do! 🙂
I adore the Adora paisley….I would love to win some of this fabric, if I could choose this one, but any of the new fabrics are very pretty!!!
I found their business start up information very informative!
I had no idea it took fabric so long to make it to market. I find the behind-the-scenes stuff like that so fascinating.
I had no idea the textile industry was heading in this direction. I personally find that really exciting!
This is so cool! I love that you can choose which scale you want…
I learned from the Q&A with April that Modern Yardage was created to fill a need in the fabric industry and that through hard work and keeping your priorities in order that anything can be accomplished. This was a very inspiring post to read, especially for me, who is just trying to find her niche in the home based craft business world. Wonderful article!!! Thanks for sharing.
Printing on demand is the way of the future!
Love vintage fabric.
found this new business exciting! I’m a passionate sewer and love designing quilts and fabrics! I look forward to seeing more of your fabric and your business to be a big sucess!
Love your sharing of a typical day!! Lets us moms know we aren’t alone in the business of the day!!
I learned that even the pros have trying times, may shed some tears but keep going! You’ll get where you need to be 😉
It takes 6 months to a YEAR to get from the finished fabric design to getting the actual bolt into your customers hands! Wow! I always wanted to design textiles but then I’d have to learn extreme patience!
Love the patched fabric! Awesome to make a ruffled skirt for my 3 granddaughters!
I love the fact that you print on 58″ fabric. Yay! Your site is great and I could see your business being a great success.
I learned that April has previously worked with Joel Dewberry as well as Riley Blake.
Interesting how she got started.
I love their fabrics!
I found out how many different jobs April had before she started this endevour.
I love this fabric and that it is cut extra wide
I didn’t know about their 58″ fabric.
That you have had some staffing issues, you are well funded (a good thing for a small business) and that technology has been an issue. You also make the numero uno fabric that I have been looking for to use in my pencil bags, and you are in the fresh mini quilt club, as am I. 🙂
What a great idea! I love it! Good luck in this, I hope everyone jumps on board and helps you get this going!
Congratulations on your new business, it looks wonderful! Thank you for the generous giveaway!
After working in digital printing (on paper!) I find the idea of digital printing for textiles really fascinating!
I learned that hiring employees can be tough and that these fabrics are fabulous!
Looking forward to what the future holds.
You learn from experiences and others in the industry!
Thanks!
The colours are uncredible ! I love them 🙂
Very interesting to learn more about digital textile printing and the beginnings of the business!
What an awesome concept! I’d heard about them a few months ago…so glad this is moving forward at such a pace!
Wow, what a great business! Love the fabric designs.
Wonderful idea!
Love learning about all the technological innovations coming to the fabric industry. It’s so cool what can be done now.
The bit about digital printing taking over and screen printing being obsolete. Very cool concept!
I love how strong you can see that she loves what she does.
I love the concept. What an interesting article. Thanks for sharing this news.
i look forward to the awesome things to come in the textile industry!
I difmt realizes that their fabric was printed digitally.
I have learned you are a very busy woman!
How exciting to start this new adventure! Congratulations
“Didn’t realize”
About digital printing and how she is juggling being a working mom/business owner:)
So much to learn, I find the fabric industry so fascinating.
I learned that she sometimes has trouble getting her laundry folded too! I also love that all this started with handbags and headbands…very inspiring!
Awesome!!
What an awesome adventure you are traveling!! And the fabric is beautiful!!
Had no idea about digital textile printing, but am now interested in finding out lots more about it!
She has a marketing/advertising background. 🙂
I love all the new exciting fabric. The Paisley is beautiful!
I learned that fabric printing is going in a completely different direction. Also that April is from the Salt Lake City area, which is where I have family 🙂
Amazing business! It is very inspiring your story.
I didnt realize that it takes so long to get a new line printed.
Who would of thought of the printing on demand by using digital printers – you learn something new everyday – thanks to Q&A like this one – THANKS
I didn’t realize it takes a year from artist’s print to production!
Very nice looking fabric. Looks like something I would use for sure.
I didn’t even know that Modern Yardage existed before I read this!
I learn from your trying times!
Awesome writeup! It’s refreshing to hear a mama doesn’t have it all organized and perfectly scheduled, real world! X
Lovely fabrics! Would love to feel it and see it for myself! Yummy stuff!
“Digital Textile Printing” – amazing process!!
Love it!
Discovered students were learning about digital printing when I attended the University of Texas style show they hold at the end of every school year. Fascinating…..
I didn’t realise it normally takes 6months to a year for designs to hit the shops
I love that new designers are being given a chance at Modern Yardage!
It was very interesting to learn about digital printing. Thanks!
She has to be a mother and housewife by getting her kids to where they have to be and keeping the household together. Thank you for the interview…
I didn’t realize how long it took to get fabric into stores!
She loved sewing since high school….me, too!
Blown away by this concept. Fantastic. Choices are endless.
This is super exciting. I love the idea already. Can’t wait to see what else ya’ll do! i’ll be stalking Modern Yardage now 🙂
She’s like all working moms but since she is in charge, she can create her own schedule and be more flexible.
Possibilities will be endless in textile design.
Love the story, fabrics and concept. Are the fabrics manufactured in the USA? Thanks
Changes are coming!
Like the rest of us she struggles to fit work and home together and does not always fold her laundry plus there will be many exciting fabric possibilities coming soon.
She is a very busy person and the fabric is 58″ wide.
I love these fabrics! I am always look for something a bit out of the ordinary 🙂
I learned that the fabric and designing business is not for the faint of heart!
Interesting to learn about digital fabric printing. Hopefully it will be more accurate than screen printing.
I wish I could design fabric. I have a hard enough time with my three kids.
I wish I could intern for her.
I love that she takes the afternoon off to be w her kids!
The fabric colors are amazing!!!
Learning from others with such valuable info. Thanks!
Wonderful product and 58″ wide!
Very interesting interview! I really like the fabrics shown, and the wider widths will be awesome!
The fact that they had 5 designers say yes immediately speaks to what a great idea this is! And 58″ wide!!!!! Oh and when I got down to that Adora Paisley print, I gasped, because it is just awesome and I want some! 😀
I found the use of digital printing interesting.
Wow!I didn’t realize the fabric was printed digitally!
It’s always good to here about advances in such a fun industry. The future looks very bright for fabric (and quilters)!!!
Really interesting article & some lovely fabrics. I had not heard about modern yardage & am glad I have now!
Great idea,would love to see results
Digitally printed fabric, so cool!
2 yards of fabric can go a long way on making a new quilt.
Jay is the bees knees, Mr. MBA attorney!
she works very hard but plans on making some changes to make it better in the future
It’s hard to pick one thing, but I think this gives other people inspiration that if you work hard and follow your dreams, it can be reached!
Very fun and modern patterns!
Great article…never heard of Modern Yardage, but will definitely check it out…love the fabric!!
That she is a very busy woman, but a good mom!!!!
I always wondered about making fabrics, and I found the idea of digital printing very interesting!
They print on 58″ wide fabric! That’s awesome! I any wait to order to see why extra I receive! Very cool!
I love it that you share your daily routine. I also love knowing that your business started out as selling tote bags as that is what I’m trying to do (other sewing items as well) right now.
I learned how quickly some people can take a dream to reality!
I learned that she partnered with her husband to make a new career for themselves.
wow boy she has lead an exciting life. I thought it was exciting that the fabric is 58″ wide. I love that paisley. it is always great to see people developing new ideas. can’t wait to see more.
Good to know that my fellow successful designers have “loser designs” as well!”
That when you are committed, its easier to find people who will support your idea and work with you to make your dream a success. (talking about the 5 designers willing to be exclusive with them mainly 🙂
Wow! Great to see some exciting fabrics and to see where the business of printing fabric is going.
There are definitely exciting new developments in the fabric industry!!
I never knew there was such a thing as an exclusive fabric contract! How interesting!
I learned that the fabric is designed for 44″ but printed at a larger size with extra things printed in the excess space
These are some really cool fabrics!
I LOVE this idea!
I learned that a challenging aspect for business is staffing. I have kept mine with just me, my daughter, and my husband, and I have a hard time wanting to give up more control than that!
Love your creativity! I do like the modern designs . Really need some adora paisley!!
Love learning about new things! Now
to try it!
You are an inspiration 🙂
great interview! nice to hear a little more depth about the production of textiles.
I love in the question about you normal day that she just seems human…LOL…I know that sounds funny, but there are so many small entrepreneurs that are trying to make it in the crafting world and I don’t seems to have time to do what I want to make my business grow, but it is about balance and working hard…anyway there is my 2 cents!
It’s awesome to see that it’s possible for a husband and wife to work together in business and keep family first!
These fabrics are beautiful. I learned that it was even possible to print on textiles. I had no idea how that was done!
that is so neat–I learned that fabric can be printed on demand!!!
Beautiful fabric! I’m excited for a chance to use it.
I learned some things. It’s great to have the wider width fabric too. Thanks for the chance.
I learned a little bit about the fabric industry! I had no idea it took a whole year for fabric to hit the stores. What a great idea for a company!
I found your article fascinating. Thank you for taking the time to share your knowledge and how your product came about with us.
WOW, not only is it hard to be a mom- a working mom in this capacity (the description evades me…) is amazing. But I wish wild sucess for this new company!
What a concept! So wonderful to see it coming into fruition. My only complaint would be that there won’t be any more closeout deals 🙁 But then, on the positive, a fabric would never be discountinued or run out. happy happy
HI! I LEARNED THAT THEY PRINT ON 58″ FABRIC>HOW GREAT IS THAT! THANKS FOR SHARING!
That it takes great people to open and operate a great business. Best of luck to you!
I want to win fabric!
It was very interesting to learn about digital printing. Thank you for a chance to win fabric!
Digital Processing is a concept that in time will replace the screen printing process which is typically done overseas and I hope will bring back “Made In America” textiles.
I ‘sew’ look forward to fabric printed in the US again.
I am excited about seeing this fabric in person soon.
wow that is geat would love to win something
It just goes to show you that when you put your mind to it you can achieve anything! I so love this fabric. Well done and I can’t wait to see what other designs you come up with
Interesting background
Love the story and the fabric
Wow, very interesting and I am so in love with the fabric designs! Wishing you all the success!
April has tons of laundry at home to fold is what I learned…lol…Don’t we all. 58 inch wide fabic with extras…That sounds really cool. Thank youf ro the chacne to enter
Wow! Print in demand! I love the concept and what she is producing!
exciting times ahead – fab fabric!
This is a wonderful way to be introduced to your product..look great..hard to decide.
How fun would those awesome patterned fabric be???
I love the wider yardage! I also love that she is a regular Mom with a regular family and trying to maintain the business and the home at the same time. Good job! Great fabric!
I learned that they have even better ideas for the future – can’t wait for the customized fabrics – I think that will be amazing!
I do like what you have planned for the shop and what you’ve already done. Keep up the good work.
very interesting read. I love reading about I regular women (moms) with a dream and how they followed it even though the road was tough. very cool.
Would love to win!!
That, like every other mom, she has laundry to catch up on. 🙂
I learned a little about the traditional fabric printing methods, and I agree that printing on demand sounds like the wave of the future. Plus, it is probably good to have a husband who is a lawyer if you want to start a business. I hope that didn’t sound snarky, I was just being realistic.
Wider yardage! Interesting process starting a new business.
What an interesting concept. Thanks for a chance.
Love it. Would love to try the yardage. I have many brides to be this year so I am sure they would love something made of this. Thanks for the opportunity to try for this giveaway.
I would LOVE this fabric! I think the gray/yellow/white combination is awesome! Wow! 🙂
I had no idea about the lag time from design to print in traditional manufacturing.
I did not realize that fabric was printed with a digital printer. Very Cool
Very interesting article, thank you for a fascinating read and chance to win!
You must be very organized to run a family AND a business!!
As a graphic designer for television and a crafter, I think this is an exciting way for designers to express their creativity in a way close to their hearts and on their own terms.
Digital printing can still produce vibrant colors. (Love the Adora Paisley!!)
What a cool idea expanding the fabric, anything that means less piecing for giant backs is okay by me!
Nice to learn about new businesses that start up! Digital printing sounds cool!
How cool to see some take a hobby and turn it into a successful business! Congrats!
I learned Jay is an attorney AND an MBA. Both incredibly useful attributes for starting a business.
Thanks for the opportunity.
She started by selling totes at craft fairs.
LOVE the fabrics you showed – just gorgeous!
I loved that they too have to balance the routines of the family and household with business and creativity!
digitally printed fabric is pretty cool!
First of all I found it interesting to note that this is a new business that offers new designs from new fabric designers… this is exciting! I also think that by offering digitally printed fabric is awesome!
Their business started with 5 designers.
I did not realize all the steps that are involved in designing new fabrics.
April Cobb is one blessed gal to have such a handy husband who is both an attorney and has an MBA! Golden!
Very interesting article. I’m both a stay at home mom and a home-based business owner so I can completely identify with her. What a great way to get fabric to customers!
That it can take up to a year lag time for the fabric to go on sale in stores!
I count my lucky stars every day that my husband is a lawyer… a NICE and honest lawyer, that is. It gives me a lot of confidence to know that he has my back, as well as that of Modern Yardage. 🙂 Thanks for your comment!!
Beautiful and fascinating. I love how wide the fabric is. I wish I would have thought of this!
Nice giveaway and beautiful fabrics. thank you for the opportunity
Teamwork is very important! It is amazing it takes so long for designers to manufacturing! I never dreamed it could take so long the traditional way!
Glad I am not the only one struggling to find balance with young kids and creativity and work 🙂 My laundry is in the basket waiting to fold. I normally fold as I take off the line, which helps, but I was racing a rain storm coming in so it just got pulled off this week.
digital printing taking over and screen printing becoming obsolete is very interesting.
I’m excited to place my first order!!
Beautiful fabric!
This fascinating!! Good luck!
It was very interesting to learn how the fabric printing cycles work. I didn’t realize the process took so long!
Wow! I had no idea there was a digital method for printing on fabric.
I thought it was interesting learning about the lag time from the designers’ concepts to bolt & the process of hit/miss on designs.
The fabric is designed by new untapped designers. T
Beautiful fabrics!
Had never heard of printing on demand–great concept!
I had no idea about the lag time and the entire process. I did wonder about how they handled trends and why there seemed to be shortages on so many fabrics. I feel compelled to purchase more than needed for a project because my local stores can’t keep up with the demand. It’s all so informative! 🙂
I also didn’t realize there was such lag time between design and release to customers. interesting.
I enjoyed learning all about Modern Yardage – I had never heard of them. Sounds great!
I learned about this new way to produce fabric that will revolutionize the industry. I am in awe of such genius!
Wow, this is really interesting. I hope your company continues to succeede!
I like to read about the various processes before the fabric hits the stores.
exciting times ahead for all sewing enthusiasts.
I loved reading about how the idea came to her husband and they went for it! Digital printing…interesting as well!
This is a great interview. I look forward to resounding success for Modern Yardage and the innovations that you bring to the industry. Winning the fabric would be nice too. 😀
I love the paisley!
that April and her team are fiercely creative and innovative!
That it takes 6 months to 1 year to get from the designers completed product to fabric on the bolt being ready for sale.
I loved learning about digital printing and printing on demand. Very curious about what the ‘extras’ are in the wider fabric.
Thanks for this beautiful fabric and your taking time to let us know how it all works to get a design to the store.
Enjoyed learning about the digital textile printing business & her faith in its future here in the US. Thanks.
The main thing I learned is that a business like this existed — I had no idea!
April and her husband started this business together
Sounds so great, 58″ wide. It was interesting to read about the process and that she designe together with Joel Dewberry!
I didn’t realize that fabric was printed digitally, but, it makes sense.
I learned about the lag time from design being finished to it actually arriving on the shelf.
I laughed at the laundry comment but I really loved finding out how she started the company and the challenges she faced.
How hard she works!
You learn from experiences and others in the industry!
Learning about this is all very exciting! The new technique of fabric printing and the size of material that they use is great. I need to get some of this fabric for my stash!
I learned that her background is in advertising/marketing.
Even the industry “superstars” struggle with finding balance in their lives!
I learned how tricky it is for designers to get their fabric designs into the stores, and how Modern Yardage makes that process easier and faster.
Wow! She is amazing. I am glad to hear she has household chores just like the rest of us. I also like the fact that her fabric is designed and printed in the USA.
She has an advertising/marketing background.
I made a dress out of this fabric and it was wonderful to work with!
Interesting interview. Thanks for sharing! I checked out the Modern Yardage website, this is exactly what I am looking for…lots of great prints to choose from!
Love the concept and American made
I’ve learned that a LOT more crafty people are going to be happy campers, getting ALL sorts of BEAUTIFUL modern prints, thanks to the great care of some very cool digital printers!
^_^ <3
I think its wonderful that something as old as fabric and fabric printing can be transformed by modern technology and the inspiration and creativity of people. Very cool.
I learnt about the lag time between designs being finished & that it can be 6 to 12 months until they reach the market.
April designed the headband called the Macy Jayne Reversible Headband.
I didn’t realize that it could take up to a year to actually get fabric printed and to the customer! The printing on demand is a brilliant idea so you don’t have the “loser” of the line! Love the designs!!
It’s interesting to learn about how technology plays into new businesses.
I am looking forward to them revolutionizing how we buy fabrics, and how they will use the digital printing processes in the future – more customization, etc! Thanks for the chance!
I learned that there is another company out there that does custom printing on fabric (I had no idea)! AWESOME.
Very cool design concepts. So interesting to hear how the digital age is changing the textile industry!
I learned that there is another compnay that does custom printing – I only knew of Spoonflower! So excited to try them out! 🙂
What a great inspiration!! I am excited to start browsing and shopping the site but I am just as excited to see what great things are going to come!!
Just found your blog thru Hang Tight Studio which I just adore. Please include me in your lovely giveaway.
I learned that no matter the education, if you have an idea and a vision, and love what you are doing, you can become successful .. looking forward to using some of these fabrics and to the surprises in the extra width 🙂
Love hearing about new companies, especially fabric. Thanks for the opportunity.
They print the fabric 58″ wide and put extra fun things in the extra space!
All the best to April and Jay in their exciting new venture!
An excellent way to start a business is by looking at the marketplace and seeing where there could be improvement – for customers, suppliers, AND retailers. Well done!! Modern Yardage is awesome.
that she is very busy
That digital printing is really cool!
It’s great to see us crafty folks get to ride the digital on-demand boom. Thanks for the comp and best of luck to Modern Yardage!
I have learned that making a dream come true is possible! You need to work hard and have so much faith but it can be done! Thanks for the inspiration…
I knew nothing about digital printing. Love these fabrics.
Modern yardage is a fabulous idea! It’s especially frustrating to see fabric I’d like online but then not being able to get it here in Australia for 6 months or at all.
I learned to follow your dream, that regardless of background and education if you follow your passion you can be successful. I needed to hear that today.
Very interesting concept.
I learned about their colour matching system. That is very innovative! The whole business is innovative, but that is the icing on the cake.
i learned alot about digital printing on fabric.
I didn’t realize that it could take up to a year before a designers pattern could get onto a bolt of fabric!
they started with 5 designers
I learned that Modern Yardage exists and I can’t wait to check them out!
I liked the idea of the pattern being 45″ wide and the fabric being wider. Really think the idea of using the extra width creatively is great!
iot takes 6 months to a year for a designers print to actually be created
I have not heard of people doing 58″ wide fabric before. Even home dec is usually 54″, right?
Sounds like a wonderful new business and I wish you all the luck.
Can’t wait to try some fabric for myself!
Hi, Rachel. I thought I should clarify. We digitally print fabric, but we do not print customer’s designs on fabric. We only print the designs by our exclusive team of designers. Our technology is similar to Spoonflower’s, but our concept and the quality of our product are different. Additionally, we charge only $10.99 per yard.
Hi, Lauren. We digitally print fabric, but we do not print customers’ designs on fabric. We only print the designs by our exclusive team of designers. I just wanted to make sure that there wasn’t any confusion about our business model. –April
Heather Dutton of Hangtight Studio is wonderful. I am so glad that you follow her!
At Modern Yardage, we are specifically aware of the demand for and interest in fabric and crafting in Australia. There is an enormous amount of talent in your country. We are especially interested in business opportunities in Australia. Watch for it because you will see more about Modern Yardage in Australia in the near future.
Home Dec fabric is typically 58″. We only print the design on 44″ of that width and then we include extras like free patterns and messages from the designers and wash instructions or blogger features in the the unprinted margin. It is a lot of fun!
Hi, Karen. If I were you, I would figure out something that you like to do or make… even if it isn’t something you are totally passionate about and just start doing it. That is what I did. I didn’t even think too much about what I was making. I wasn’t a bag person. I didn’t own a lot or shop for them or ever even make them. But I just made a decision about what I was going to do and started doing it. Aside of always making a quality product and having excellent customer service, the key to being successful at it is getting yourself out there. I found that the more craft fairs and boutiques and markets I sold at, the more customers and crafters that I met and my opportunities grew exponentially. Soon I was the one providing others with opportunities. Try everything and invest in the business slowly. It’s a wonder where you will end up.
Thanks, Heather. And honestly potty training is a nightmare when I am trying to do all of these other things too. If it isn’t one thing… it is another. I should probably get a cleaning lady!! LOL. Anyway, I hope that if you have a home business that you get yourself out there as much as possible… online and in the public at fairs and boutiques. You will never know whom you might meet as you present your product or service to your community. This is how I have made such wonderful and inspiring connections who have advised me and given me the opportunities that have gotten me to this point. Good luck to you!
Hi, Lisa. Unfortunately, we haven’t yet been able to source fabric from the US for an acceptable price. We would be thrilled if we could in the future; however, we are so proud of the fact that we employ people in Utah to print on our fabric rather than having to do this oversees. –April
Laura, of all of these wonderful comments, yours was the one that I loved the most. You made me laugh. I can’t wait until Tuesday when I can show your comment to my intern to let her know how “lucky” she is. LOL. Anyway, you can always send us your resume. Who knows?
Chris, The designs are only printed on 44″ of the 58″ wide fabric. The leftover space is used for messages from designers, blogger features, free patterns, etc…
Thank you, Shauna. I try. I am doing a lot so I often feel like I am not very good at any of it, but our family is too young and too important to take a back seat. “No success can compensate for failure in the home.” I appreciate your compliment. It inspires me to do better. –April
Good for you! Keep doing it. It gets monotonous sewing bags and stuff all of the time, but the benefit of selling my bags is that I got myself out there. The more you get in public and talk to consumers, boutique owners, and other crafters… the more opportunities you will find and the more you will learn to become successful. Quality product, great customer service, and NETWORK as you sell. Best of luck to you!! –April Cobb
Shelly, your comment made me laugh. But if it is any consolation, I realized pretty early on that the things I made to sell, for which I had purchased the fabric from the clearance section, I had a very hard time selling. Typically, if it is on clearance, I steer clear because if the customers at the fabric store didn’t like it, I could be pretty sure that the majority of the public looking at my products wouldn’t want to buy it either. I do, however, LOVE getting discount fabrics that I like personally for things I am making for my family. A moment of silence for a future without clearance fabrics……. Ok. I have made peace with it. LOL –April Cobb
First and foremost, that this couple is going places. 🙂 I love that they have plans to “blow” customers minds. My thoughts are racing, trying to figure out what else they could possibly be doing. I also have to add that I’m in love, love, love with the fabrics!
I didn’t know that she had a history with Joel Dewberry and Riley Blake… talking about coming from great things and going on to do even more great things!
I hadn’t heard of Modern Yardage before, so this whole interview was new to me! I loved the “extras” on the extra wide fabric base. 🙂
I love hearing about what has inspired other quilters and sewists
Beautiful fabrics! Thanks for the opportunity to try these :-)!
The really unique “extra margin” space. Can’t wait to check out Modern Yardage!
I found their business start up information very helpful!
This is so amazingly cool!I love the idea of fabric printing becoming domestic and involving higher-skilled labor in the future!
I loved hearing about her day and how she tries to fit it all in!
I didn’t know there was a lag time of 6 months to 1 year to get from the designer to the fabric stores
I knew there was a time period between design and getting the fabric sold, but almost a year, wow. And I love that the fabric is printed on wider fabric!
I hope you are accepting comments as a form of entry as well because some of us still value our privacy without the FB worm. Thanks for the interview!