Robert Kaufman Fabrics
Born in 1899, Robert Kaufman emigrated from Russia and settled in New York. Like most immigrants who came to America at this time, Robert was eager to create a prosperous future for himself and his family. By the time he reached his early twenties, Robert had attained his goal as the proprietor of a very successful menswear company named Meadowpark Clothes. Unfortunately, after the stock market crash of 1929, he experienced the demise of his company. Robert continued to persevere and in 1942, from a showroom on Fifth Avenue in New York City, he set in motion the company that exists today. As a jobber for men’s suits, the company endured a difficult wartime economy and emerged a successful fixture in the New York garment business.
In the early 1950’s, health issues left Robert unable to run the company alone and in 1955, he was joined by his sons Saul and Alvin. With the creation of a fabric named “Windjammer,” Saul and Alvin began to move the company away from Jobber to Fabric Converter. “Windjammer,” a rayon/cotton linen, became a hit with major department stores throughout the country. Following “Windjammer,” Saul and Alvin introduced a line of velvets, plaids, and seersuckers as well as a program of printed chiffons and satins imported from Japan. Harvey, the youngest of the brothers, joined the company in 1963. With just Alvin, Harvey and Saul to run the expanding company and act as the national sales team, Harvey established a nationwide sales force. They continued to expand their line of fabrics, and in the mid 1970’s, 100% cotton prints were introduced to the line as well.
During these years and into the 1980’s, sales to the manufacturing customer grew significantly. At the same time, the existence of fashion fabric retailers was dwindling and this shift in the retail fabric market pushed Robert Kaufman to focus on the quickly emerging quilting industry. Although a new market for the company, the transition was effective due to the expansion of Kona® Cotton Solids and the unique talents of their very first signature artists Debra Lunn and Michael Mrowka. With the further addition of Jennifer Sampou, Robert Kaufman was catapulted into the quilting mainstream.
From this point to the present day, Robert Kaufman has remained a dual focused company, with an equally held commitment to both the Manufacturing and Quilting Retail customer. Today, they operate an extensive in-house design studio, generating fabrics specific to each the quilting and apparel markets. In addition to the roughly 3000 new SKUs released each year through quarterly releases, Kaufman has the biggest offering of in-stock basics, including proven brands such as Essex, Kona® Cotton Solids, Quilter’s Linen, and Artisan Batiks: Prisma Dyes, to name a few. Robert Kaufman also boasts a variety of designer collections, including collections by Ann Kelle, Lunn Studios, Jennifer Sampou, Carolyn Friedlander Elizabeth Hartman, Jill Shaulis, Julie Letvin, and many more, as well as in-house brands Flowerhouse, headed up by Debbie Beaves, and Wishwell, led by Senior Stylists Linda Fitch and Vanessa Lillrose.
Though Saul passed away in 2011, and Alvin in 2021, Harvey is still lovingly involved in the business their father began more than eighty years ago. Robert Kaufman 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.
Showing 1–40 of 812 results
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2-1/2in Strips Chalk & Charcoal 2021, 40pcs/bundle RU-1029-40
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A Little Dr. Seuss in Green Balloons by Robert Kaufman
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A Little Dr. Seuss in White Thing One Thing Two by Robert Kaufman Fabrics
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Alabaster in Cloud by Wishwell for Robert Kaufman Fabrics WEL-21992-216
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Alabaster in Cloud by Wishwell for Robert Kaufman Fabrics WEL-21993-216
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Alabaster in Dove by Wishwell for Robert Kaufman Fabrics WEL-21994-412
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Alabaster in Dove by Wishwell for Robert Kaufman Fabrics WEL-21996-412
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Alabaster in Fog by Wishwell for Robert Kaufman Fabrics WEL-21991-336
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Alabaster in Fog by Wishwell for Robert Kaufman Fabrics WEL-21995-336
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Alabaster in Mist by Wishwell for Robert Kaufman Fabrics WEL-21994-245
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Alabaster in Mist by Wishwell for Robert Kaufman Fabrics WEL-21996-245
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Alabaster in Shadow by Wishwell for Robert Kaufman Fabrics WEL-21992-304
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Alabaster in Shadow by Wishwell for Robert Kaufman Fabrics WEL-21993-304
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Alabaster in Snow by Wishwell for Robert Kaufman Fabrics WEL-21991-87
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Alabaster in Snow by Wishwell for Robert Kaufman Fabrics WEL-21995-87
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Alabaster in Winter by Wishwell for Robert Kaufman Fabrics WEL-21991-277
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Alabaster in Winter by Wishwell for Robert Kaufman Fabrics WEL-21992-277
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Alabaster in Winter by Wishwell for Robert Kaufman Fabrics WEL-21993-277
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Alabaster in Winter by Wishwell for Robert Kaufman Fabrics WEL-21994-277
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Alabaster in Winter by Wishwell for Robert Kaufman Fabrics WEL-21995-277
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Alabaster in Winter by Wishwell for Robert Kaufman Fabrics WEL-21996-277
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AQUAMARINE by Lunn Studios from Artisan Batiks: Trucks and Tracks
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Architextures Collectin in Charcoal from Robert Kaufman Fabrics
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Architextures Collection in Black from Robert Kaufman Fabrics AFR-13503-2
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Architextures Collection in Shitake from Robert Kaufman Fabrics AFR-13503-383
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Artful Blooms in Hyacinth by Robert Kaufman SRKD-22687-235
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Artful Blooms in Petunia by Robert Kaufman SRKD-22687-26
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Artful Blooms in Pool by Robert Kaufman SRKD-22690-370
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Artful Blooms in Sky by Robert Kaufman SRKD-22692-63
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Artisan Batik Autumn Skies in Leaves Khaki Batik By Robert Kaufman AMD22528214
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Artisan Batiks Azalea Pastel Petals Collection by Lunn Studios for Robert Kaufman
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Artisan Batiks Fresh Dew Pastel Petals Collection by Lunn Studios for Robert Kaufman
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Artisan Batiks Frost Pastel Petals Collection by Lunn Studios for Robert Kaufman
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Artisan Batiks Lavender Pastel Petals Collection by Lunn Studios for Robert Kaufman
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Artisan Batiks Pastel Petals Collection by Lunn Studios for Robert Kaufman
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Artisan Batiks Prisma Dyes: Bison by Robert Kaufman
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Artisan Batiks Prisma Dyes: Canary by Robert Kaufman
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Artisan Batiks Prisma Dyes: Shadow by Robert Kaufman
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Artisan Batiks Prisma Dyes: Azalea by Robert Kaufman
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Artisan Batiks Prisma Dyes: Night by Robert Kaufman
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