Rethinking the way we do things

When I was a beginning sewist, fabric was available in brick and mortar stores. Not only were there several dedicated fabric stores in my home town, but there was also a selection of yard goods in major department stores. When Dad would buy tools at Sears, Mom and my sister and I would look through the pattern books. When it was time to make a dress for graduation, or a new summer outfit, or a costume, we'd tramp to the several stores and make our selections, purchasing all the notions and fabric needed.
Our beginning sewists today do not have such a luxury.......or do they? The younger, newer set of enthusiasts does not often have a local fabric store from which to choose supplies. There is no fabric department at JC Penney or Sears or Belk. Those of us who have been at this awhile look at the dearth of local supplies and wonder how the new sewist will ever survive.
Do not fret. Although the local is no longer the norm, the world has much to offer. Our new sewing friends are from a generation that knows the internet as its primary source. They are more likely to look for resources away from home, and seek information on the web with voracious appetites.
The savvy fabric vendor, notions purveyor, or pattern company knows this very well. A sewing-related supplier who does not have a marketable web presence will likely decline in this web-driven age. We may see even more brick and mortar closures (and not only in the sewing industry) in favor of web-only business. This is a sound market strategy, as the overhead costs will be much lower for a web business than for a walk-in store. More goods can be offered, and better goods, at a lower price.
I am saddened that the new sewist will never know the joys of walking into Cy Rudnick's, or Fabric Collections, or Sears fabric department. Imprinted in my memory is the excitement of looking through the newest pattern books. But with a modern, world-wide fabric and notions society, we can experience so much more! We are not bound to the whims of a local buyer. We can purchase any style of fabric. We have a wider range of quality available to us. We can purchase fabric at any price point, from nearly any location. Patterns are available from other continents; notions are wide in variety.
So while I lament the loss of the local purveyor, I am delighted with the wide range of sewing opportunity. And if you will excuse me, I'm off to see which pattern company has updated their website with new patterns today............

One of the many reasons

Every Sunday, dh brings me a selection of roses from which to choose. His rose garden is amazing, and he says they are for my benefit.

They are all beautiful, but this one is particularly lovely today.

He has arrived!

My family and I have just returned from our extended trip to celebrate the birth of the first grandchild. All is well with him and with all of us.

Grandchildren are a wonderful invention.

Complete state of ickyness

The flu is no fun. No energy. No interest in anything other than the pillow.
Get your flu shot, please....

Slowly converting

For years, I've avoided anything with a high waistline. I felt it made me look pregnant, which is not a good look for a person of my, ahem, age.

Well, I'm slowly becoming a convert, and Butterick 5079 is the reason.

A wearable muslin is in process right now, from a very cheap and cheesy fabric off the dollar table. While the fabric is awful, the print is great; this might actually be worn at some point.

I finished the front last night, and gave it a glance in the mirror....okay, this isn't so bad. In fact, it makes me look like I have a semi-waistline...it skims in all the right places, and shapes in all the right places.

If all goes well, I might even try the latest version of the Duro, Butterick 5173.

Live and learn:)

VOTE!

Vote! 'Nuff said:)



(Advance voting is fabulous! I highly recommend it:))

Of sewing and other things

1. Making a new shaped cover for the dressform takes a bit of time. And patience. And precision. Version one had a back waist length that was entirely too long. A check of the measurements indicated that yes, the draft was correct, but my measurement was off by 2 inches. No more late night measuring for me:)
2. Plumbing is something I never want to learn to repair. Plumbers are worth their weight in gold. So are septic tank repair people.
3. Because of #2, not much sewing going on around here. Backed up sinks and showers with bilgewater that has to be pumped out require my leaving the house in the capable hands of #2, while I escape the aroma:)

I have managed to almost finish the Burda WOF cape. There is a problem with the facing, which will have to be creatively adjusted. It's a cute piece, and I'll probably wear it this year. I'm glad there isn't a huge investment of dollars, because I doubt it will be on trend for much longer.

Off to the sewing room:)
Shannon