Thursday, September 04, 2008

The Fabric Store Lady

This weekend Anna and I will be doing the Women's Adventure Race. This is a very lighthearted event; costumes are encouraged. Last year we competed as Crayons. This year Anna decided we should be the "Super Earth Saver Girls." I swear I did not encourage this green team spirit.

I went to the fabric store yesterday and found some green fabric to match our supergirl skirts. "I want to make a cape, actually two," I told the sewing lady. "I'm going to freehand it, but I don't know how much fabric I need to get."

I love these sewing ladies at the fabric stores. They are a fountain of knowledge, and they love to help with the best part of any sewing project - the planning stage when you are still in the store, not the frustrated, hunched-over-the-machine-swearing stage. "Well, what you need to do is look at one of these patterns to see about how much you need." Together we looked up a Dracula pattern and found it called for 1 1/2 yards of fabric.

"Hmm," I said, "Maybe I should just go ahead and buy the pattern."

"Oh, honey, its so expensive right now." The whole pattern was $13. "Wait two weeks and they'll all be on sale for $1.99."

But, of course, I need it this weekend. "Well, girl, you know what you do? You just make yourself a pattern out of newspaper and use that. Two capes? You should get 3 yards."

While she cut my material, she told me about the blanket project she was doing with her granddaughter. I am certain every time she looked up, she moved my fabric over an extra 1/8 of a yard. I got ample material for my capes.

"Carolyn, thank you so much for your help!" I told her, and she said, "Oh, honey, I absolutely love it. Good luck!"

So now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to work on some green capes.

8 comments:

peevish said...

Where would we be without those women? I love how they give you the confidence to take on almost any project.

Have fun in the race!

ColeBugsmommy said...

I'm still bummed that Cole can't race :-( Have fun!

Emily said...

I'm always amazed at Anna's creativity and imagination. Love the new team idea! Remember how much you and I struggled just to come up with a team name?!?

I, too, enjoy spending time in fabric shops. All the fabrics and colors make me think of all the projects I'd like to tackle. I still have fabric and patterns I have bought and have stored. And the ladies are great. I can imagine doing that as a retirement job...

Anonymous said...

Good Luck in your race. I'm sure you two will look terrific!!!
Love, Nana

Unknown said...

I could just hear her syrupy accent through your typed words. And ah, yes, that yardage marker on the table is but a suggestive guide, and she who holds the scissors has all the power to keep flipping the bolt and sliding more sideways. Good luck Mighty Moss-colored Mama and Anna the Amazing!

paula said...

Good luck with the capes and the race!

mainlyclearskies said...

How fun! Please post pictures.

Emily said...

Hello? Need a Race report please...