Originally Posted by
dunster
I remember when big department stores like Penny's and Wards had large fabric departments, patterns, thread, etc.. That's where my mother and I shopped for fabric for clothing.
In my area there are about the same number of independent fabric shops now as in the past. The specific shops have changed but the total number is just about the same. What is more to the point....my mom and grandma and I would go to the department stores in town and purchase fabrics. These stores are all gone. I recall yearning to touch all of the pretty colors and to the lay the bolt on the big table. But the best, the very best was measuring the fabric with a strange little unit with a clock like devise that measured the fabric as it passed over the salvage edge. Then ka-chink! A metal handle was pushed and a cut was made in the fabric. Then rip and your fabric was folded neatly and you went home. I so wanted to grow up and use that machine. (I did work in a fabric shop for a couple of years but we did not have one of those old school measuring tool.
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