I have a hard time when they give you a canned "reasoned response" about not enough people sewing any more so they have to cut back on unprofitable lines. I live in a small city (Portland, Oregon) I went to three of my favorite fabric stores today on a quest to see where I could get what for a specific project that hasn't quite jelled yet. Big Fabric Stores! Two cater to home sewers, and one to crafters and sewers. All were quite busy. My favorite is Fabric Depot, nearly one square block of fabrics, home decorator and notions. There must have been over 300 men and women shopping. Granted, they were having a 40% off sale, but that's not an abnormal number on a Saturday even without that. I've even been there on a week-day and there are usually at least 50 patrons wandering the aisles.
The second is a little Pakistani Shop that has fabric piled to the ceiling and reminds me of Las Angeles, except that they don't bargain. Just basic shop size, but at least 14 people buying everything from 60" wide velvets to 1970's neon paisley :-) and everything in between. This is also where I get my cone thread (not made for sergers), stone and sequined trim, and other shiny do dads. Third was JoAnns Super Store. They tried to move to the chintzy flat fold table and their customer base went away. They were left with a bit of cheap cotton quilting stuff and lots of craft products. The big sewing stores almost wiped them out. They put in decent fabric again to about 1/4 of the store and got enough of their clientele back to keep going. Surprisingly enough, the better fabric they get, the more customers. They had to put the cotton quilters stuff in a separate area because the actual sewing fabric with patterns and high end sewing machines (also lower end stuff) crowded it out and made them more money. Now, Portland has at least one more very large store - Mill Ends, (also nearly a block square) that does a brisk business in fabric and notions for the home sewer. From the person who is making new curtains, to the ones who are making Bridal Dresses that last more than a single wearing to those who want clothing that fits and flatters and is made from fabrics and colors to fit their needs. Portland also has a Pendleton Woolen Mills outlet with $8-10 a yard, what you see is what you get fabric, and buttons by the bin (literally) full, $.05 each. They even have Ultra Suede (the good stuff) in a couple of colors at $15.00 a yard. If you want to cross the Columbia river you can find the other Pendleton Woolen Mill outlet with the $3.99-5.99 and up stuff as well as clothing with price tags that will give you a heart attack (up, not down). I've gotten woolens ranging from blanket weight/coat weight, to stuff so fine you could pull it through a wedding ring; perfect for veiling since it seems to flow like water. These stores aren't here because Portland is some kind of a time warp town where people sew their own clothes more than they do in Leavenworth, Kansas. They are here because the people spend money. They spend the money because there are fabrics to buy that are more flattering than the Princess Pony stuff you buy for your daughter's Halloween costume or a quilt project. People buy because the stuff is available. When the $1.00 a yard, flat fold table stuff drives the $10.00 a yard and above suiting, silk, blends, etc. out, "because it's cheap" that's all you will get. The Wal-Marts of the world will wisely tell you that is all people are willing to pay so that's all they stock and some people will swallow the notion hook-line-and-sinker. When real sewers see that all they can get at the store is junk except for the occasional "find" they stop going and they stop buying. Then the store wisely tells you and your friends that "no one sews any longer and it isn't profitable to handle". It's a self-fulfilling prophesy. Junk so bad (usually) that it isn't worth buying because it will fall apart quickly, or not do what you want because it is the wrong weight, or dead dinosaur (polyester) is too expensive even at $1.00 a yard. If your Wal-Mart has stopped selling fabric, there is a niche market waiting to be filled by someone. Unfortunately it isn't cheap to get started, but it can be done. We have a shop here in Portland that specializes only in natural fabrics, and unusual pattern companies. The prices aren't cheap, but she isn't going out of business either. In fact she often refers customers to the other stores when she doesn't have exactly what they want! For those who have been completely fabric deprived by the machinations of a huge business... There's the Internet; I hear the screaming now but it's almost all that is left. If you still have some independent fabric merchants talk to them, patronize them, and good luck to you! Regina > -----Original Message----- > From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] > Behalf Of Susan Data-Samtak > Sent: Saturday, August 09, 2008 7:05 PM > To: Historical Costume > Subject: Re: [h-cost] walmart fabrics > > > Feedback from a Friend says SHE got the identical letter, as well. > > Susan > > > On Aug 9, 2008, at 10:03 PM, Dianne wrote: > > > PS > > But at least you seem to have gotten a reasoned response. And I > > will be > > writing, too. > > > > Thanks again for letting us see that at least someone is paying > > attention. >> > > > > I'm sorry to add to your disappointment, but that is a canned form > > letter that gets sent to everyone inquiring about the fabric > > departments going away. I got the same letter last year. > > > > Dianne > > > > _______________________________________________ > > h-costume mailing list > > [email protected] > > http://mail.indra.com/mailman/listinfo/h-costume > > _______________________________________________ > h-costume mailing list > [email protected] > http://mail.indra.com/mailman/listinfo/h-costume > _______________________________________________ h-costume mailing list [email protected] http://mail.indra.com/mailman/listinfo/h-costume
