Our Fabrics

ROBERT KAUFMAN FABRICS

We source of fabrics from Robert Kaufman Fabrics based in Los Angeles, California. Their commitment to quality and reliability, innovation in design and manufacturing, and dedication to their artists and employees made it the right choice for us. Founded in 1942, the designs of this company continue to be favorites among quilters and sewists.

Today, they operate two separate design studios, each one generating fabrics specific to the quilting and manufacturing customer. With the in-house quilting and manufacturing studios, run by Evie Ashworth and Debbie Call respectively, Kaufman also employs a large family of talented signature artists that supply innovative exclusive collections to the line.

Seventy years since Robert Kaufman first began, the company continues the family tradition into the third generation with sons Joe, Steve, Ken, Ron, and son-in-law Eric now heading up the company's management. Robert Kaufman employees have become part of the Kaufman family, as well. Many have even played an integral part in the company for over thirty years.

 
ABOUT THE ARTISTS

Renowned fiber artists Debra Lunn & Michael Mrowka (pronounced ma-ROOF-ka) of Lunn Studios proudly bring their stunning and acclaimed hand-dyed batiks to Robert Kaufman Company.

Quiltmakers, hand dyers and surface designers, the two have been producing fabrics for nearly 40 years.

Debra Lunn has been making quilts since 1963. While in graduate school in textile design in 1976 at the University of Minnesota, she began hand-dyeing fabrics for use in her own quilts.

Debra's quilt, Counterpoint, was the first and only piece in Quilt National '79 (the first exhibition) that was made of hand-dyed fabrics. Debra's personal art quilts which feature hand-dyed fabrics that are made at Lunn Fabrics have continued to be included in national and international juried and invitational exhibitions.

In 1988, Debra started hand-dyeing fabrics in gradations to sell to other quiltmakers.

In 1991, Debra met Michael Mrowka, and they joined together in the endeavor of Lunn Fabrics (and also as personal mates). Working together, Lunn Fabrics expanded to produce fabrics that are hand-dyed, hand-painted, airbrushed, hand-stamped, and screenprinted.

Michael, a sculptor, painter and a journeyman printer of 20 years (on paper), has streamlined production and invented new techniques and patterns.

In 1994, Debra and Michael began designing fabric for Robert Kaufman Company, which continued until 1998. They created innovative lines of fabric for commercial production, which include Pointillist Palette, Natural Creations, Vibrations, Prima Materia, Photo Real Clouds, DYE IT! and Precious Metals.

Debra and Michael are thrilled to have returned to Robert Kaufman to run the batik division, called Artisan Batiks.

Their media coverage in the industry includes acknowledgement and acclaim from a wide range of fiber art publications, including several features in Surface Design Journal and ArtFocus. Copies of these articles are available from the Robert Kaufman Marketing Department upon request for further background information.