🧵 From Wholesale Roots to DIY Fame – Our Founder’s 5-Year Journey
By FabricLA | Published on 7.21.2025
At FabricLA, every fabric we offer has a story—and so does our founder, Emre Sonmez. From his early days distributing fabric rolls across Los Angeles to becoming a trusted name in DIY kits, felt, and faux fur, this journey has been anything but ordinary.
Today, we’re pulling back the curtain to share how it all began, where we are now, and why we’re just getting started.
📦 2020: A Passion for Fabric Meets Wholesale Hustle
In November 2020, Emre was featured in Shoutout LA as the founder of SOFI Enterprises, a Los Angeles-based wholesale fabric distributor.
Back then, SOFI focused on:
- Providing rolls and bolts to apparel manufacturers, upholstery shops, and retailers
- Sourcing premium textiles with value pricing
- Building relationships with businesses that relied on quality and consistency
What started as a warehouse operation quickly became a trusted source for hundreds of fabric businesses across California.
✂️ 2025: The Evolution of FabricLA and the Rise of DIY Culture
Five years later, the business transformed. SOFI’s consumer-facing brand, FabricLA, became the go-to destination for DIY crafters, small-batch makers, and fabric lovers nationwide.
In April 2025, Emre was again featured by Shoutout LA — but this time, the focus was on:
- DIY kits that simplify crafting for beginners
- Faux fur, felt, and fleece for creative projects
- Community outreach, customer features, and crafting for a cause (including 10% donations to cancer research)
🧠 Lessons Learned Along the Way
Here’s what we’ve learned from our 5-year transformation:
- Wholesale taught us scale and efficiency
- Retail taught us storytelling and customer connection
- DIY taught us the joy of creativity and the importance of community
Whether you're crafting your first felt animal or decorating a nursery, FabricLA is here to make it easier—and more fun.
🧵 What’s Next for FabricLA?
We’re continuing to expand our DIY kit collection, launch new product lines (hello, faux fur pillows 👀), and partner with local craft stores to offer more accessible crafting experiences nationwide.
We're also building a strong library of tutorials, blog content, and community spotlights so that every maker—no matter their skill level—feels welcome here.
💛 Thank You for Being Part of the Story
We wouldn’t be here without your support. Whether you’ve been with us since our wholesale days or found us through your first felt craft kit, thank you.
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