Oh, JoAnn's

If you’ve kept up with your sewing bloggers, you surely read about the deplorable condition of some of the JoAnn’s locations. I had no idea that it was even possible that they wouldn’t have a pattern stocked – or even in order in the drawers until I read Lindsay T’s rant. Wow. Luckily both stores that I frequent locally are the exact opposite. In fact, lately at both locations I’ve noticed younger sales associates that seem genuinely interested in garment sewing. Having said that, last night I made a discovery that I need to share. I had two bolts of presumably 60” wide fabric. One bolt didn’t have enough fabric and I said something to the sales associate about the width. She looked at the end of the bolt and told me it was 50”. 50”??? Then I looked at my other fabric and noticed that it was the same width. Then I came home and measured another fabric that I purchased two weeks ago, thinking it was 60” – nope 50” wide!!! (Then I started remembering a rayon/cotton blend that I bought over two years ago and was shocked when I thought it shrunk over 4" in width...maybe it really didn't shrink!) Not 54, not 52, 50 inches wide! Sheesh, the fabric companies don’t even put the yardage for that on their envelopes, do they? I sense a company-$$-saving conspiracy. If you’re a JoAnn’s shopper – check your widths before you buy. And if it’s 50” go to the back pages of the big 4 pattern books and study the conversion chart so you get the right amount the first time.

As a follow-up to my daughter’s wardrobe rant, there were a couple of recent successes!
Here’s a dress I made that she put on without a single complaint or criticism. I even heard her proudly announce, “I love it!” followed by a big hug. Of course, she hasn’t worn it since (rolling my eyes).

Then she got this little gem for her birthday (mommy’s proud ebay purchase :)). Somewhere before her birthday someone asked me if she liked to sew? Uhhh, uhhhh, uhhhhh … she better! Well, even if she doesn’t I’ll use the machine! Since the big reveal she’s said, “I’m going to be a seamstress just like you!” and after two enthusiastic sewing session “You know mom, sewing’s really not my thing.” Both comments were made on the same day – so I’m not too concerned.




I’m gearing up for a serious project – the jacket that will match the gray pants from my previous post. This is the biggest obstacle for my Stitcher’s Guild SWAP. Now that I confirmed it doesn’t need to be done until the end of April I think I’m ready to devote some quality time (i.e., tailoring, and hand sewing) to this project.

Happy sewing to all!