IG Design Group Americas (DGA) has announced that the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas approved the sale of the company’s sewing pattern business.
Simplicity, McCalls, Vogue, and Butterick brands, collectively known as “the Big 4,” have been bought by Rubelmann Capital in partnership with existing management. The sale price was $2,250,000. Abbie Small, Executive Vice President and General Manager of Simplicity, who has worked at the company for over 40 years, said, “This will make us into a small, indie pattern company. Essentially, we’ll be a 200-year-old startup.”
Design Group Americas filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy on July 3, 2025, just over a month after turnover firm Hilco Capital acquired it from U.K. parent IG Design Group for $1 plus 75% of proceeds from any future sales.
Included in the sale
The sale includes all of the company’s raw materials and work in progress, finished goods supplies, and all other inventory. This includes inventory located at the print plant in Neenah, Wisconsin, such as pattern printing presses and equipment for envelope stuffing and other factory equipment, shelving, die cutters, laser printers, and computers. The sale also includes the historical and vintage library of materials currently located in an office building in Berwick, Pennsylvania, as well as the materials located at the New York City offices, including sewing machines, digitizing equipment, network equipment, printers, computers, photo studio equipment, office supplies, and licensing contracts.
The bankruptcy court also approved the sale of other assets of IG Design Group Americas. Boye needles was sold to Advantus, and American Greetings purchased certain machinery, equipment, and other assets used to manufacture and distribute gift wrap.
“The Court’s approval of these transactions affirms months of careful planning and constructive engagement with interested parties and sets the stage for a smooth transition,” said Brett Anderson, Chief Strategy Officer.
The DGA will work with the buyers to transition ownership of the businesses and related assets in connection with the closing of the transactions, all of which are expected to occur by the end of the year, subject to customary closing conditions.
Abby Glassenberg
Co-founder
Abby co-founded Craft Industry Alliance and now serves as its president. She’s a sewing pattern designer, teacher, and journalist. She’s dedicated to creating an outstanding trade association for the crafts industry. Abby lives in Wellesley, Massachusetts.
