Happy Holidays: Thank you for another great year!
So many amazing things to be grateful for here at Splash Fabric as we finish out the year!
Our hearts are full, our fingers are tired + we are ready for a long winters nap. (Or at least for getting to some long put-off sewing projects!)
I, Tracy, took more time off than ever before, leaving my team, Sarah and Becky to capably run the show in the studio. I am so grateful for their dedication and the joy they bring.
I got my knee replaced Dec 26, 2023. In 2024 I traveled to Morocco on a textile tour, went to an art retreat in Twisp, WA, spent more time camping and backpacking than usual.
I took up watercoloring & got a trainer at a gym (it works!). I finished knitting my 2nd sweater + started a new vest (no arms this time). I made myself some clothes again, haven’t done that in years! I participated in 2 masterminds. I rearranged my home studio into dedicated art space, office space and sewing / tutorial videoing space. I mostly went to bed before 11pm.
Went out for a company lunch with the “team” in November this year, before the holi-daze set in. Where would I be without them?? (Don’t answer that.)
We started our long-awaited Fabric of the Month Club. I’m proud of the new sewing videos we have created for it!
“Where we take the guesswork out of what to make.” Not only do you get fabric at a discount & specials bonuses, you get first dibs on new stuff. Thank you to the first 39 members.
We took chances and reached out more in 2024:
- We have a big article coming out in WHERE WOMEN CREATE magazine. Look for it this spring.
- Our first podcast with Craft Industry Alliance will be out Jan 6.
- We did 7 live shows this year. So fun talking to all of you!
- We collaborated with Missouri Star Quilt Co to design a classic red gingham fabric for a bowl cover sewing project. It will be on our website soon to purchase as yardage and in the meantime you can get it precut for the bowl project!
- We launched our Cinch Bags with great success. People are using them for all kinds of things from travel to knitting to ballet slipper storage.
- We have more sewing patterns and tutorials on our website & YouTube.
Some 2024 stats:
- 68K people looked at our website this year.
- 3868 bought on our website.
- 9557 are on our email list.
- 700 of you are active on Facebook Splash Fabric Insiders.
- At H+H, our only tradeshow, we wrote 37 orders in 2024 (up from 12 in 2023)
- We grew our fabric & knitting stores - we love to spread the love!
- We topped 500K in sales this year.
- We were able to pay our employees for time off + bonuses for the first time this year
- $58K paid to our local Seattle stitchers
- 18K Laminated Cotton purchased from the mill
Our top selling item was our fabric... Finally!
And our best selling fabric? DENIM!
Our best selling print? KALE!
We continue to donate more and more fabric to sewing groups + 4-h clubs who teach sewing, & food pantries locally.
We also donated to:
- National Parks Foundation
- Boys+Girls Clubs
- When We All Vote
- Planned Parenthood
- The World School of Seattle
- The Salvation Army
Goals for 2025:
- Do more art
- Finish the 5 fabrics I have started, and a couple more...
- Organize my 28,452 photos on my phone :)
With all that is going on the world, we are doing what we can to bring art, inspiration, and sewing to you. It’s what we can faithfully contribute. We love you all and a wonderful 2025. Happy sewing!
This is what I’m making for Christmas morning:
Blueberry Skillet Pancake (Recipe from Brunch and Batter)
Don't feel like standing over a hot griddle, pouring pancake batter only to learn it will take a sacrificial pancake to get the temperature and your pancake just right? Well, the answer my friends is skillet pancakes! More cakey than pan-cakey, this blueberry skillet pancake uses all the same ingredients as your traditional pancake. Add maple syrup, butter, or powdered sugar and your taste buds will thank you.
PREP TIME 25 minutes
COOK TIME 25 minutes
TOTAL TIME 50 minutes
SERVINGS 4
CALORIES 397 kcal
Equipment
-
10" skillet
Ingredients
- 1 cup all-purpose GLUTEN FREE flour
- 1½ teaspoon baking powder
- 3 tablespoon sugar, plus 1 teaspoon sugar
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¾ cup buttermilk, room temperature
- 1 large egg, room temperature
- 2 tablespoon unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled, plus 1 tablespoon for the skillet
- 1 cup fresh blueberries
- ½ teaspoon lemon zest
- maple syrup, butter or powdered sugar for serving optional
Instructions
-
Preheat the oven to 375°F. Place a 10" cast iron skillet (or another nonstick ovenproof pan) in the oven while it heats.
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Whisk together the flour, 3 tablespoon sugar, baking powder, and salt in a bowl.
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In a separate bowl, whisk together the buttermilk, egg, and melted butter. (Add the melted butter slowly so it doesn't cook the eggs). Pour the buttermilk mixture into the flour mixture and whisk until just combined. Add the blueberries and lemon zest and stir. The batter will be lumpy.
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Remove the skillet from the oven and add the remaining 1 tablespoon of butter and swirl to coat. Pour the batter into the skillet and smooth the top with an offset spatula. Sprinkle the top evenly with the remaining 1 teaspoon of sugar.
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Bake until golden brown and cooked through, about 25 minutes. Remove from the oven, let cool in the pan for 5-10 minutes. Dust with powdered sugar and serve with butter and syrup if desired.
Wishing You a Merry and Bright Holiday Season from Our Family to Yours! We are so grateful for our Splash Fabric extended family (that means you!) and we hope your holiday season is filled with joy and warmth!
Those three boys in the photo are the ones that inspired me to start Splash Fabric. Now they are all grown up!
Thank you for another wonderful year and here's to a merry and bright holiday, with maybe a hint of celebratory fabric confetti thrown in for good measure!