<rant> Where I grew up there are enormous fabric stores (Fishman's, Vogue), lots of boutique fabric stores, and tailoring supply shops. You could find whatever you needed or wanted. Now I'm in a city that has two outlets for each of two chains (JoAnn's, Hancock), one alterations shop that has about ten bolts of fabric from 1960, and a host of upholstery fabric stores. Even the Wal-Mart stores here are discontinuing their fabric departments.

You can't find hair canvas, men's pocketing, curtained waistbands, or more than three bolts of wool or wool blend here--it's all synthetic dressmaker fabric, quilting and children's design cottons, and Pellon® interfacing to glue your clothes together. Before gas was so expensive I'd drive to Houston to shop, but I can't afford the money or the time these days.

Thank goodness for XMtS! I've learned how to make do with what I can find here in town, frustrating though it be.

Just sayin' . . .
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