JC Penney sold fabric?
02-13-2011, 12:12 PM
#292
Super Member
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Western NYS
Posts: 3,278
Originally Posted by kateyb
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:
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:
A two scoop ice cream cone was a dime.
04-15-2011, 05:26 PM
#295
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: N Indiana
Posts: 518
Our Penney's store stopped selling fabrics in the mid 70's. I know this because at that time I was managing a store called Fabrific Fabrics (chain similiar to Joann's) and I hired two of their employees that had been laid off due to the dept. closing.
04-15-2011, 05:31 PM
#296
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Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Austin, Texas
Posts: 989
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.
04-15-2011, 05:47 PM
#297
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Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: La Grande, OR
Posts: 2,457
I bought the fabric for my first 4-H project in the basement of Penneys in 1970 in Coeur d' Alene, Idaho. Ouch, the time warp is hurting me now!! I also remember buying fabric up until the early 80's in Montgomery Wards. And I bought my fish for my aquarium at Woolworths, down on Sherman Ave. in Cd'A. I have to go away now and (as Aussie friends can understand), take a Nana Nap.
04-17-2011, 05:01 AM
#298
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: metuchen,nj
Posts: 553
Almost all of the department stores sold fabric including Bambergers (now Macys). I had forgotten about that measuring gizmo, it sure was cool. Pennys was directly across the mall from Woolworths, so I'd compare the two for price and selection. Bambergers (also in the same mall) sold mostly wools and high end fabrics.
Those were the good old days of sewing! Now I only have a crummy JoAnns and the intenet.
Those were the good old days of sewing! Now I only have a crummy JoAnns and the intenet.
04-17-2011, 05:58 AM
#299
Junior Member
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Western NY
Posts: 152
I'm not as 'experienced' as some on the board, but I remember my mom getting her brand new kenmore sewing machine at the sears fabric store in the early 70's. She made a lot of our clothes, and taught me to sew on that machine when I was about 8. She also bought fabric at a 5 and 10 called Neisners that was in downtown Rochester. She even ordered the fabric for our school uniforms an made those too. My younger sister can't even hem her own pants ( I can't balance a checkbook- she can, but I would rather know how to sew).
06-24-2011, 01:28 PM
#300
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Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: North Kansas City, MO
Posts: 561
.79 for 1 1/4 yard (even a remnant price) should give you a clue LOL. This was years and years and years..... ago. Remember Penney and Sears used to be the "General Store", selling everythng for the farmer and his wife, and fabric was a large part of their stock. They discontinued fabric and farm implements when the "city slickers" invaded.
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