Hoffman California Fabrics is a four-generation family business, founded in 1924 by Rube Hoffman who started selling his woolen fabrics to local department stores.

In time, Rube’s sons, Walter and Phillip joined in and expanded the company with the influence of the easy Southern Californian lifestyle, and, of course, surfing.  Both men were avid surfers and pioneered the surf fashion trends with popular Hawaiian shirts.  Hoffman Fabrics now creates more than 800 screenprints and handmade batiks each year for the quilting/home-sewing and manufacturing industry.  Now in their 95th year, the company still sees three generations of Hoffmans working together to further the brand on a daily basis.

 

The Hoffman Challenge 2019 collection pays tribute to the company’s founder and history with three digital prints, First Stitch.

Now working in the family business, Hailey Hoffman, the founder’s great granddaughter says

“I’ve always loved the old advertisements and sales tools that great grandpa Rube produced for Hoffman Woolens and since it was our 95th anniversary I thought the old ads and logos would make for a great mini collection that pays homage to our start in wool. It kind of crosses the quilt + fashion pieces of our business!”

Three_generations_of_Hoffmans

 

The Hoffman Challenge is the longest running quilt challenge now in its 31st year. It started when two local guild members challenged each other and their guild to a contest to see who could make something amazing with a peculiar piece of Hoffman fabric. Since this guild was local to Hoffman, the company caught wind of the idea and the challenge has grown each year!



Categories for the 2019 Challenge are Quilts, Clothing, Accessories and Best Use of Aurifil Thread. Six fabrics are required to be used in the challenge projects and all six are available at Happy Apple Quilts, in shop and online.



Learn more about the 2019 Hoffman Challenge and how you can participate