Fabric fondler and petter here!! If the LQS is closed and I need to fondle new fabric, I go to the local store that sells Vera Bradley purses and pet/fondle them. One of my DDs is okay with this behavior but not the other DD. The first one is also a sewer and I hope to instill a love of quilting in her. The ladies at the nonLQS store know that I occasionally come in to pet the purse fabric and are mostly okay with it ~ I suspect I am not the only one in town who does that.

I am a petter-when I lived overseas-China-I had to have clothes made for me-I made choices by petting the fabric and letting it tell what it wanted to be. I just gave away the suits and dresses-it was like giving away a cherished child. I was petting it as they took the items out the door. But like my husband said-someone can use the suits and dresses-I live in sweats and sweaters during the winter and loose cotton pants and tops during the summer-I retired 14 years ago and they were just taking up closet space.
The only good part is now I have closet space for all my fabric!!!

Yes, I am a fabric petter also. But then I talk to the baby lizards in my flower beds too. Remember when you get old enough others just really don't pay much attention.

I am with you. I have to feel every fabric and know how it will snuggle up under my chin, and all fabrics are my children so I must talk to them in a loving voice so they know how special they really are

DallasStar: Isn't it great that as you get older you become semi-invisable, no one ever notices what you are doing?
My front room is a mess because a week ago I received an order of 25 yards, which I just can't tuck away in a closet. It's out on tables and sofas and as I go by I touch it, shift the pile, look for matches; well you get the idea. I call catalogues from fabric stores or sales ads quilters porn.

LOL ..when I go into a fabric store-Eyes first look around to see what is pretty, cute or will do .. then Eyes tell the brain to tell the fingers to run the fingers over the material to check it out. LOL Then I mutter to myself to see what pattern I think would look best.. Silly I know .. but hey its what catches my eyes that is first .. LOL

thank you everyone. Now I do not feel quite so loony when I feel the fabric.

I too ask others to feel fabric in the stores --it's a quilty pleasure. Do you suppose we're cheating on our stash if we are caressing other fabric in public? A friend told me I should only stroke fabric I've purchased.:p