learning to 'make do'

[Barb T]

...when I tell people that I am making a kilt ....

Whenever I go to our Joann Fabrics to buy lining for kilts, they always ask me what I'm making with the fabric I'm buying. At first, I thought they were charmingly curious, but it turns out that they have to ask because it has something to do with what tax they charge (whether it's for clothing or not). When I tell them I'm using it to line kilts, I occasionally get a curious sales person who asks a question, but 9 out of 10 times, she says, "Oh! What kind of a quilt are you making?".....

[auld argonian]

A trip to a Joanne's or a Hancock's usually results in some little exchange that reveals the fact that the folks working there have absolutely no idea which end is up in terms of kilt making. I find this amazing.

At a Hnacock's I was sneeered at by one of the ladies as a sucker who'll "pay that kind of money for that plaid fabric". Charming. At another Hancock's they didn't know nothin' about no kilts but thought that they should have some of that stuff in the store because there were a lot of Irish in the area and you'd think that they'd at least send them the stuff around St. Patrick's Day.

One of the most dangerous questions that you can answer in several types of stores is the dreaded, "What do you need it for?" Beware that question! Whatever you think that you think (or know), the salesperson will tell you that you are wrong and then tell you what it is that you should be buying.

Had a friend who had an old Morgan auto and who needed a part for it...as it turns out, that particular Morgan used the same parts as the Triumph that was produced that year...the works were practically identical. A clerk in the parts store refused to sell him the Triumph part because he said that it was for a Morgan. My buddy offered to sign a statement holding them harmless for any problems that might occur and certifying that he would not return the part...no dice.

The recommended materials are listed very clearly in The Book...if asked just tell them no thanks, I can't substitute anything.

Best

AA

[Carolina Kiltman]

Had a friend who had an old Morgan auto and who needed a part for it...as it turns out, that particular Morgan used the same parts as the Triumph that was produced that year...the works were practically identical. A clerk in the parts store refused to sell him the Triumph part because he said that it was for a Morgan. My buddy offered to sign a statement holding them harmless for any problems that might occur and certifying that he would not return the part...no dice. AA

A bit off topic:

Had the same problem with my several Renaults. . . . I finally would just take the part (a wheel bearing in one case), lay it on the counter and say, "I need one of these". Worked most of the time.