Okay girls, by now we know that I can happily spend HOURS in small, dark and filthy spaces pawing my way through strangers' stuff. Put me in a large, retail establishment overflowing with bolts of fabric bathed in flourescent light, and it's a whole nother kettle of fish.
I don't do fabric. I don't get the thrill of it. I respect and admire you quilters out there, I just don't understand you. I was a useless seamstress in 7th grade Home Ec. and have never looked back.However, I recently found myself at Fabric Depot. I was looking for fabric for the piping (apparently, the correct term is welt, but my mom called it piping, so it's piping) to coordinate with this beachy print. I bought it years ago at a specialty fabric store, knowing that I would eventually use it for the new hut. Pillows, perhaps.
But I recently found this great loveseat for $20, so I decided to cover up the horrific 80's plastic-coated cushions with my wonderful shell and coral stuff.
So, I head out to Fabric Depot ~ during the sale, no less ~ and I spent almost 2 hours trying to find something....anything...for the piping. At one point, I tried to leave, planning to come back another time with a friend or a therapist, but then I thought, "I can't leave, I've already spent 2 hours finding nothing." The whole thing gave me a stomach ache. I eventually found a blue stripe piece that's a great match. (I was so fatootsed by this point, I forgot to take a photo of it.)My torment was not over. First, you have to stand in the "cut" line, even though the fabric I chose was the last bit on the bolt and was only about a yard.
Then I got the stink-eye from this gal because she heard me on the phone telling Gail that I was going to need a large Margarita when this was all over.
Then you get to stand in line again to pay. There was a gaggle of senior gals who pretended that they didn't see the line and cut right in. Oh, well. Can't wait to show you the before and after shots after Beth has worked her magic!
13 comments:
At least you have someone else to work their magic. I thought I was the only one who hated those places. Part of it for me is I can't stand {and probably am allergic to} the sizing stuff they put on new fabric. I think that is how you spell it. We are both fabric challenged, aren't we?
Sorry to hear you had such a trial getting your piping fabric, I'm sure it'll have been worth it in the end. Did you get that Margarita??
Look forward to seeing the refurbed loveseat.
Maggie
Back in the olden days when Home Ec was a mandatory class, I totally flunked the sewing part of it--the pathetic gym bag I made had more ABOVE the drawstring than below and the apron I attempted was restarted so many times that I seriously considered considered dropping out of school just to avoid another redo. And of course all my girlfriends were 4H sewing champions who couldn't understand my inability to hold a needle without stabbing myself. So I ABSOLUTELY understand your aversion to fabric stores--I avoid them like the plague!
Oh, I feel your pain!! I am in no way-shame-form a seamstress in any manner. I am right there with you in not 'getting' the Fabric Shop Facination!!
When I started reading this post I was wondering if Beth would do the honors with that couch. Perfect for the hut. I love Fabric Depot, but admit is not for the faint of heart/fabric. Especially during SALE time - it is insane.
This sounds EXACTLY like my life! I am still laughing.
Enjoyed visiting,
Laura
Ha ha ha! I SO TOTALLY understand. I like fabric (colors and textures and all) but it is so OVERWHELMING ... especially Fabric Depot.
I have a 50th posting giveaway going on, so drop by for a visit if you have time or want to escape ....
Hugs!
Betty :)
Oh gawd honey....
You need to take me when go out to Fabric Depot. I know how to "work" that place. The store can drive someone totally insane...but I always have a game plan. It can be overwhelming...so you need to focus and get right to the point of why you are there. No "I'm just browsing" in this mega-fabric shop. Your head will explode. Plus I know how to deal with all those "stink eye" fabric hags...!
Oh, grrrl, me too! I can never figure a dang thing out in the fabric stores, and the 2-line deal is killer. I'll be blogging soon about my most recent fabric-store nightmare.....
Oh Listen Honey, you missed the whole point of those places, I know, cause I did it for years after I stopped sewing....yeah!
My sweet cuz made dolls, and she was a quilter, sorta. The object of those gals in there was to add more to their stacks and stacks of fabric they had at home. Faye had fabric everywhere...she kept buying new cuz she had looked at the old so long she was sick of it.
anyways, the rule is "the one who dies with the most fabric wins."
And she had a bumper sticker that said so...
When I went in there with her, I felt 6 ft. wide and 10 feet tall. I could make anything out of anything...so I bought fabric to prove it, and came home and piled it in the closet; never to see the light of day again...them's the rules." Good luck with the settee, it is very cute....grin!
Yeah...I am not one to like to sew but I will give anything a try and I do like trying to recover stuff! I laughed so hard at you experience at the fabric store!! Great Blog! Thanks for your comment and hope to see you back soon!
My husband bought me a sewing machine for Christmas last year. He thought I might like to give it a try (his mother was a seamstress.) Well I got into the buying fabric. As a matter of fact I have bought so much it has covered the sewing machine (still in the box)so much that I can't see it anymore, what is that they say out of sight, out of mind. Maybe this Christmas I will open the box.
I'm not a quilter, but I've always loved fabric. I've never been to Fabric Depot.
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