Craft Focus - Jun/Jul (Issue 67)

customers, and retailers are also welcome at our Manchester showroom. You can also meet us at the trade shows we attend, which include CHSI Stitches, h+h cologne and Quiltmarket Houston. What are the fabric trends to look out for this autumn? Two of the largest trends this coming season are Japanese designs and nursery-inspired prints. Unicorns are still fashionable, too. You can be sure you will see all these themes and many more in our range of fabrics. Licensed character prints remain popular, so we are also excited about our forthcoming Harry Potter collection. How are you finding the current economic climate in the UK? The climate remains one of uncertainty, but that in itself brings opportunities for forward- thinking companies who are quick to change and adapt to a new set of circumstances. The largest area of concern remains the unclear trading environment post-Brexit and the potential impact on exchange rates and pricing. Nobody likes uncertainty, but we remain confident in our ability to stay flexible and will continue to serve our customers at home and abroad. What’s your take on the British craft industry – would you say the sector is in good shape? British craft has become a growing success story and will stay strong for the foreseeable future. Craft has proven itself to be resilient in these challenging economic times. The industry is full of creative and dynamic individuals who are passionate about bringing high quality and affordable products to the consumer. The challenge for us suppliers is to make sure our products are relevant, desirable and fun to see. What’s coming up next for Visage and its brands? Through The Craft Cotton Company, we continue our mission of bringing beautiful, high-quality, affordable products to the market. Last year, we had a very successful launch of premium acrylic yarns, perfect for knitting projects. This year we have introduced a collection of 100 per cent organic jerseys, in patterns and plain dyed colours. We continue to strive to improve our products. That is why we have started to produce our very best fabric collections in Korea, as materials from this country have long been held in the highest esteem by the quilting fraternity. Visage Textiles +44 (0)1618 322 213 visagetextiles.com craftcotton.com craft focus 35 company profile