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Drastically Cutting Back on Fashion Fabrics (Moderated by Deepika, Sharon1952)
Posted on: 7/26/05 10:19 AM ET
Went into the local indy fabric store that always, consistently has good sample ends and bolts of fashion fabrics for garment sewing yesterday and was shocked. Where the sample cuts are typically stacked was a table of discounted quilting fabric. In fact, it looked more like a quilting store than the fabric store for which it enjoys a good reputation. Granted, it had been about two or three months since my last visit, but this is a radical change.
Got bold. Asked a clerk what happened. The store owner decided to bring out the flat folds on weekends only. It seems they now have more quilters than sewers as customers. She also said that the online fabric stores have hurt them. And she added that as a sewer, she was very upset as well. (Someone also rearranged fabrics by COLOR and you can't tell what's where if you want crepe-backed satin or a linen blend.) She said the owner would let customers look through books and order. As I told her, it just isn't the same.
I have tried getting samples online. I don't like it at all. I'm very picky when it comes to texture. If the fabric doesn't feel right, I'm not wearing it. Period. I have to look. I have to touch. I have to crush and crunch and walk around the store with a bolt on my hip until I can decide what I'm doing. G'head and laugh. That's me. What I also like is being surprised by something I might not otherwise be thinking about for a project. Yay for those discoveries.
Can't say I like this turn of events one iota.
Very sad. I have bought lots of fabric and notions from them and have also referred TONS of people to them. Think that as things get sewn up, I'll wear my clothes in and make a point of telling them that it was made with fabric from THEIR store.
Got bold. Asked a clerk what happened. The store owner decided to bring out the flat folds on weekends only. It seems they now have more quilters than sewers as customers. She also said that the online fabric stores have hurt them. And she added that as a sewer, she was very upset as well. (Someone also rearranged fabrics by COLOR and you can't tell what's where if you want crepe-backed satin or a linen blend.) She said the owner would let customers look through books and order. As I told her, it just isn't the same.
I have tried getting samples online. I don't like it at all. I'm very picky when it comes to texture. If the fabric doesn't feel right, I'm not wearing it. Period. I have to look. I have to touch. I have to crush and crunch and walk around the store with a bolt on my hip until I can decide what I'm doing. G'head and laugh. That's me. What I also like is being surprised by something I might not otherwise be thinking about for a project. Yay for those discoveries.
Can't say I like this turn of events one iota.
Very sad. I have bought lots of fabric and notions from them and have also referred TONS of people to them. Think that as things get sewn up, I'll wear my clothes in and make a point of telling them that it was made with fabric from THEIR store.
Posted on: 7/26/05 10:30 AM ET
That is very sad! I too noticed that my local indepedendent is beginning to cater more to quilters. Yes, I'm very guilty of buying a lot of my fabrics online but, to be fair, this shop has carried fewer and fewer "casually elegant" fabrics and more and more fancy fabrics. What could I do? I and other customers have asked for more casual fabrics and more good knits (like rayons) to no avail. Frankly, I'd be in trouble without my online sources.
Posted on: 7/31/05 12:46 PM ET
Online might be good for some, but i am a very tactile and visual person. I've been known to not wear clothing if I cannot stand the fabric -- either its color or texture. The term "crepe," for example, could mean anything. Some of the crepes I've touched are like sandpaper and I'd never ever wear them, but others are sumptuous. I just have to touch and see before I buy.
And online or real, I have yet to find cotton knits!
And online or real, I have yet to find cotton knits!
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