Hoffman California Fabrics Tour Last Chapter

WARNING: If Hoffman Fabrics gives you weak knees....please sit down now as IHAN ® is NOT responsible for any injuries you incur as a result of passing out cold after seeing these photos....Photo intensive and long post...sorry (well, not really)!

 During my visit I learned that the Hoffman's are a family of environmentally friendly leaders, champion surfers and they have shown their dedication to the environment by investing in a water treatment processing in Bali to minimize the impact making Batik fabrics has on the environment.  

Subsequently I have learned that Hoffman Fabrics have partnered with Quilksilver to provide funds to Everyday People Initiating Change (E.P.I.C.)  a non profit that is committed to bringing safe, clean drinking water to a number of villages in the developing world. 

I love companies that share my values and I find it very easy to support them and buy their fabrics....and boy do I! :)

Entering the Warehouse

This surf board collection covers the walls.  The collection  belongs to champion surfers, Walter and Philip Hoffman. 

Forewarned is forearmed!!  Remember I told you about what was coming next.....

This rainbow of bundles were on a desk and I just could not imagine what they were doing there all by themselves...so lonely.  I should have stayed to keep them company....but those darn co-workers are always needing something!

Most of us know exactly what a Hoffman Bali Pop is right?  Those gorgeous 2 1/2 inch strips of the Hoffman Batiks.  But...did you know there are now Bali Snaps (5x5) and Bali Crackers (10x10)?  What I love about the pre-cut  fabrics is getting the variety.  I don't want to have to buy a yard of everyone one I like...just give me some of all of them....oh yeah baby!

Don't get too excited....these are not the Colossal Roll being offered as in the Hoffman Pre-Cut Collection...LOL....these are more photos of my warehouse tour.

When I saw this....it was total silence...I was speechless....couldn't utter a word....I was able to get my breath...eventually.

It didn't end....a gigantic warehouse filled.  I would have thought there would be armed guards at all of the doors and sharpshooters on the roof ....but nooooo they were all cool calm and collected.  Do you think there is something wrong with them?  How do you get accustomed to being in that environment every day? 

 

 

Stop....breathe....OK...you can go on now!

My understanding is that many of the employees at Hoffman Fabrics are long time employees.  I was told this lady has worked there over 20 years.  I found some odd pleasure in watching her create the swatch boards by hand....and not machine.  How wonderful is that?  An actual human performing a task....there was some Zen in that activity and it just felt good to see it.
 

Up close and personal with the Hoffman Challenge Fabrics....someone pinch me or I'll think I'm already dead.  I'm not kidding....I was right there and touched those lovely fabrics.

This is how they get the fabric from the rolls to the bolts.  These guys were putting the fabric into the "bolt machines" (I have no idea what they are really called) and then the put their initials on the bolt when it is finished. 

The next time you are shopping for a Hoffman Fabric, check the bolt end for the initials and just know....real people do that!

That was supposed to be the end of the tour...but you know me...I had to wander up and down those isles and "be with" all the energy in those isles.  As I walked to the end of a row I asked....what is that?  Keep in mind this photo was not altered...the light coming in....it does look like Heaven opening up....but I don't own any software that could alter a photo to make it look that good and I'm too cheap to pay to have that done.

"Stairway to Heaven" was the first thing that popped into my head when I gazed upon this sight.  It is the archive's at Hoffman ....where they keep their archives of fabric swatches.

I stood there...yep....me....this was much better than the Walk of Fame in Hollywood....by far!
 

 

 Something else I learned while at Hoffman Fabrics is that they are sponsoring the "Why Quilts Matter" PBS Series.  How cool is that? 

Do you Love Hoffman Fabrics too?  I thought so :)  All IHAN® blog followers can feel free to leave a comment on this post and all you have to say is, "I Love Hoffman Fabrics" for you chance to win one of  these lovely "Sushi" Rolls.  The "Sushi Rolls" are not available in any quilt store...they are rolled up samples of Hoffman Fabrics.  Do you want 2 chances to win?  Click Here to and "Like" Hoffman California Fabrics on Facebook  and come back and let me know and I'll enter your name again!

Giant Smiles,

Kelly

PS...forgot to give a deadline....go figure!  Leave your comment on this post by Sept 11 2012....why not have some really good memories associated with that date?