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.

[Alan H]

SOME-day, I'm going to go up to San Francisco, visit Bri-TEx fabrics, sit in the middle of all the wool and cry.

[Blinki]

Please forgive my ignorance but who or what is Bri-TEx fabrics?

[walkerk]

Please forgive my ignorance but who or what is Bri-TEx fabrics?

Here you go: http://www.britexfabrics.com/

[Blinki]

Thanks for the link walkerk!

[Carolina Kiltman]

The saying "misery loves company" really fits here in this thread! Some 30 years ago, my wife had a design/sewing business that made liturgical vestments. (For those of you who are going to ask what are liturgical vestments, think decorated ponchos, used in Church Services .)

Here in town (major military base) there were three fabric chain store, three or four mill outlet stores, and within two hour's drive, about a hundred or so, and these carried such wonderful things as shiny brocades and trims!

Now there is JoAnn's, Hancock's, Hobby Lobby, and an independent shop, which is more crafts than anything else, but does carry a nice line of fabrics (and Viking sewing machines). That's it. By driving three and a half hours to Gastonia, NC (outside of Charlotte) there is one excellent store. Period.

The private store will order hair canvas, if I want to buy a bolt. At one time there was a washable "hair canvas" available locally, where nylon/polyester was substituted for the hair. Worked beautifully if you wanted to wash the sport/suit jacket. I had several made by a local tailor. He says he can no longer get it, the mill closed down, and the company now only imports fabric from the Pacific Rim and the quality is pure junk!

Thank God for the internet, at least we DIY'ers have a fighting chance of finding something approaching our needs.

[davedove]

It's a vicious circle. Because there tend to be fewer people who make their own clothes, the stores carry fewer supplies and even fewer of the less common ones.

Then, because the stores don't have the supplies, those who might make their own get frustrated and give up, buying the ready made clothing.

Which, in turn, lowers the demand in the stores, so they stock fewer supplies, etc.

[auld argonian]

...perhaps if some enterprising individual were to start an on-line business that specialized in providing the materials necessary for the accomplishment of these tasks...

Best

AA