The Good Old Days - Remembering Old Fabric Shops
06-26-2011, 08:23 AM
#91
Super Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Lebanon Missouri
Posts: 2,668
We had Tiedtke's--Woolworths and G.C.Murphy stores and I remember the meters Sadly all 3 places are gone now But my childhood memories are filled with shopping with my Gramma and the fun we had looking for all the right fabrics and notions and the sweet ladies that helped in our quests Thank you for waking these memories
06-26-2011, 09:22 AM
#92
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: New England
Posts: 821
Originally Posted by athenagwis
Originally Posted by Luv Quilts and Cats
Oh My Gosh! I remember those! I used to think they were the neatest thing! ... the only fabric shop around was down the street from me. It was called Martin's Fabrics
Rachel
I used to be Asst. Mgr. at So-Fro Fabrics and we used the meters. Not so good on the double knits.
I remember in HS going to Dorr Woolens for material to make slacks and skirts. Being wool they had to be lined, double fun with a zipper.
piney
06-26-2011, 09:41 AM
#93
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Marathon, Texas
Posts: 854
I remember shopping at Penney's for fabric...exactly the same meter and tube system. I was just fascinated with the tube system and loved to watch the carriers zipping up and back from the cashiers. And our Penney's was a two story store! One of two multi-story buildings in our little town back in the '50s.
We also shopped at a couple of fabric stores in downtown McAllen, TX (which was SO small back then)with Spanish names: La Barata and La Dama Elegante. I loved those names!
Anita
We also shopped at a couple of fabric stores in downtown McAllen, TX (which was SO small back then)with Spanish names: La Barata and La Dama Elegante. I loved those names!
Anita
06-26-2011, 10:54 AM
#96
Super Member
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: in front of this dang computer instead of my Bernina!(Naples, Florida)
Posts: 1,653
My gosh, I'd forgotten all about the meters! Wonder where I would have seen them in action... my mom didn't sew, I didn't sew much as a kid. Hmmm. Now I'm going to have to clear out some cobwebs and see if I can't remember.
06-26-2011, 10:58 AM
#97
Super Member
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: USA
Posts: 1,625
Guess the measuring meters were either before my time, I really doubt that, or before I recall buying my own fabric. I think the stores I did buy at in the 70's only used shears to cut. Kinda cool looking device though.
06-26-2011, 11:02 AM
#98
Power Poster
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: California
Posts: 14,723
Originally Posted by great aunt jacqui
I remember all of that. Woolworths was the first place I bought fabric, making dolls clothes when I was 10.
06-26-2011, 11:38 AM
#100
Super Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Frederick, OK
Posts: 2,031
Originally Posted by Lyncat
... a store called S.A.S. in Phoenix that was filled with fabric that was overstock from factories, and was sold by the pound.
...They had big barrels of buttons that were sold by the cupful, trim that was very inexpensive.
...The best part is, the store is still there, so I have been shopping there for at least 45 years.
...They had big barrels of buttons that were sold by the cupful, trim that was very inexpensive.
...The best part is, the store is still there, so I have been shopping there for at least 45 years.
Trim - The previous owners of our shop left us with over 1200 bolts of trims, much of it from back decades ago. When we sell out of some trims, that’s the last of it. We can’t re-order it.
Bulk Buttons - We have a local landmark in our little shop called “The Button Box”. It measures 4’ long, 2 1/2’ wide, and 1 1/2’ deep. We changed the location of it in the store when we took over in 2006, and it is so heavy that we had to take the buttons out of it to move it. By counting buttons in sample scoops and multiplying by the number of scoops, we calculated that there are at least 200,000 buttons in that box. It was established at least 50 years ago (in the same building) by Mr. Kelley who operated “Kelley’s Outlet”, a variety store that included fabric and sewing notions. Several local ladies that worked for Mr. Kelley have provided the history. When the store changed hands to become the “Spinning Wheel Fabric Center” in 1975, the Button Box was continued by the new owner, Mrs. Floyd for the next 30 years. Mr. Kelley and Mrs. Floyd both sold buttons out of that box for 5 cents each, and we still sell them for the same price today. I buy buttons at auctions, Estate Sales, and yard sales and dump them into the box to keep it going. We have Grandmothers that bring their Grandchildren in just to play in the Button Box like they did when THEIR Grandmother brought THEM in to play in it.
The store is still there - I would love to visit that store someday!
CD in Oklahoma
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Cogito
For Vintage & Antique Machine Enthusiasts
22
04-21-2014 08:35 PM
SuzyM
Main
3
08-26-2008 06:18 AM
