JC Penney sold fabric?

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02-04-2011, 06:14 PM

#201

madamekelly

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Join Date: Jul 2010

Location: Central Willamette Valley, Oregon, USA

Posts: 7,695

Quote:

Originally Posted by oatw13

Yep. Years and years ago. In the 60s I believe. My mom worked in the fabric department of Montgomery Ward's in the 60s.

My first sewing machine was from the Montgomery-Wards factory in Portland, OR. They had an auction when they finally sold the building, so I bought my firsy machine, a New Home, in a solid oak cabinet. (It still had the ink well in it!)

02-04-2011, 06:16 PM

#202

Donna in Mo

Junior Member

Join Date: Sep 2010

Location: Clark, MO

Posts: 221

When I was a teenager in the 60's and sewed my dresses for school, even the grocery stores sold fabric and notions.

02-04-2011, 06:21 PM

#203

Dandish

Senior Member

Thread Starter

Join Date: Dec 2010

Location: Allen Park, MI

Posts: 408

Thank you all so much for sharing your memories! I have enjoyed this thread so very much. It's just wonderful! Nice stroll into the past. I sure do wish we had more places to find fabric! I do faintly remember a Kresge - but I don't remember them having fabric. I know my parents were big Sears shoppers, and I certainly don't remember them having fabric (but I DO remember Geranimals and Toughskins...lol).

BTW, according to the burn test my fabric has some polyester in it - there was a crust/slight melt on the burned edge. That's fine - I think I'm just going to hold on to it a while anyhow...;)

02-04-2011, 06:38 PM

#204

mary hennessey

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Join Date: Dec 2010

Posts: 104

Yes I do remember Penny's selling fabric in Seattle,WA.Bon Macy,s sold fabric also.All the dime stores sold fabric. It's a good thing that we still remember back then.

02-04-2011, 06:49 PM

#205

RNUNU

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Join Date: Jul 2010

Location: TWIN FALLS, IDAHO

Posts: 468

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dandish

I picked up some fabric at the thrift store today - a green gingham - that still had a JC Penney tag on it. It was apparently a remnant, 1-1/4 yards, with a price of 79 cents. I never knew Penney's had sold fabric - does anybody know when they stopped? I'd like to know if this is a true cotton gingham, too. I'd post a pic, but it's already in the washer. Perhaps later.

"YES" .... JC Penney did sell fabrics .... I can rmember going there and buying fabric all the time. I know it was during my High School days and I graduated in 1955. Don't know however when they did away with their fabric departments though.

02-04-2011, 07:15 PM

#206

purplefiend

Super Member

Join Date: May 2010

Location: Round Rock,Texas

Posts: 6,135

Quote:

Originally Posted by phatquilts2

Many of the department stores had a fabric section because home sewing was very popular back in that day. Do not remember when those fabric departments were banished.

Does anybody remember the measuring apparatus that was around six inches off of the table? The fabric was pulled through a slit and a round dial gauge with hands like a clock {?]or scale showed the yardage. Then the fabric clerk would push a lever which made a rip in the cloth. The fabric was then torn right in front of you and not cut with a scissors. In the rare instance that the print was all off grain you knew it right away. Anyway that was then and this is now, guess I am dating myself and a popsicle was a nickel. :lol: :roll:

I remember those machines quite well. I also remember going to Penney's with my Grandma for fabric for my new dress, I think I was about 11.
:-D

02-04-2011, 07:18 PM

#207

beksclen

Junior Member

Join Date: Dec 2010

Location: Crossville TN

Posts: 182

I too worked at Penney's. Began in '77 or '78 in MI and they still had fabric at that point but not much past that it went out. They also used to sell greeting cards until late 70's.

02-04-2011, 07:22 PM

#208

vschieve

Senior Member

Join Date: Feb 2010

Location: Austin, TX

Posts: 847

Yes and a Big Chief tablet was about a quarter. Then my dad would tell us when he went to school the Big Chief was a nickel. But yes indeed the nickel ice cream like a Fudgesickle.

Quote:

Originally Posted by purplefiend

Quote:

Originally Posted by phatquilts2

I remember those machines quite well. I also remember going to Penney's with my Grandma for fabric for my new dress, I think I was about 11.
:-D

02-04-2011, 07:27 PM

#209

pignwdw

Member

Join Date: Dec 2010

Posts: 65

My mom worked at a Penneys in Phoenix the year before I went to college and she used their fabric (that she got with her employee's discount) to make my college "back to school" wardrobe.