I feel as thou Murphy is most accurate. I am a child of the sixties and seventies and I remember fabric department in all three of the big moguls of that area. Along with Ben Franklin and Kresge's, and in my hometown (small town USA) there was a couple more department stores that handle the fabrics via the bolt. As was mention prior our clothing was made by our mom's until we took Home Economic in high school. In reference to the original question, I recall the department vanished from the sale floor prior to the catalog being fazed out. I have a evening dress that I made myself till this day in my closet and I do believe the fabric was purchased from Penney's in 72.
cherryb