learning to 'make do'

[Carolina Kiltman]

...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

I'm sure they are out there, it is just a matter of finding them. Then there is the problem of the cost of shipping, both local and international. So far I/we have been able to find most of what is needed on the internet. It is just that shipping runs the cost up by quite a bit.

I shudder to think of what my wife's business would be like if the situation were what it is today.

[Carolina Kiltman]

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.

If that were totally true, it wouldn't irritate me so much. I wear a 16 1/2 x 37-38 shirt size. I will go into a specialty store to buy a shirt, and they will all tell me that "we only get one or two of that size and they sell out the first day" When I ask "Well, can't you order more?" the reply is,
"We have to take what they send us." In short some one is making the decision as to what the story will carry from headquarters, perhaps half a continent away. Why they can't ask the stores to list what is requested is beyond me.

[meinfs]

... When I ask "Well, can't you order more?" the reply is,
"We have to take what they send us." In short some one is making the decision as to what the story will carry from headquarters, perhaps half a continent away. Why they can't ask the stores to list what is requested is beyond me.

This is EXACTLY what Hancock Fabrics tells me of certain on-sale fabrics in their store. Ugh!

[sydnie7]

[snip]. . .they will all tell me that "we only get one or two of that size and they sell out the first day" When I ask "Well, can't you order more?" the reply is,
"We have to take what they send us." [snip]

Reminds me of searching for a specific kitchen gadget -- fellow at Linens 'n Things said "we only get those at Thanksgiving and they sell out right away. Then we can't order any more." No wonder LNT had to close half its stores!

And on my recent trip to Chico CA, found that the Hancock Fabrics there had closed. . . building now occupied by a "dollar store". . . sigh.

[Aldisimo]

... 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).

That must be specific to your state. It doesn't happen here in Texas, in fact, the women at JoJo's might like to chat too much about customers' projects. Several weeks ago, when I told one of the salespeople that I was working on a kilt, she started telling me how her husband was begging her to make one for him. She had already bought The Book and was studying it. She got pretty excited when I told her about XMtS and that the author was a contributor. Next time I was there, she told me that she and her husband had visited this site and were even more excited.

I don't know whether she's registered here yet or not. If she does, I hope she sends me a shout-out; I gave her my username.