Wow! All the memories here are fantastic! I remember getting fabric at Penney's. It was so fun to be allowed to go with Mom - we walked downtown because we had no car and the town was small enough we had no public transportation. Fabric was 36" wide at first, and patterns were sized differently. I remember the change in pattern sizing, and the huge deal it was to get 45" fabric. I thought the meter to measure fabric was fun - maybe that's why, when I worked for a fabric store later, I was thrilled to get to use one! (Small pleasures!) So many things have changed. What I wouldn't give to have my mom with me to do some sewing/quilting now!