Where are all the fabric stores?

Where are all the fabric stores? When I was a kid, I remember my mom swerving off the road at the sight of every fabric store. We would spend time going up and down each and every aisle, touching the fabric we liked. It's one of my fondest memories from childhood and a very important connection that I share with my mother.

I swear, there must have been a fabric store every 1/2 mile back in the day.

Not so anymore. I know Waco is a rather small city, but all we've got is a tiny, itty-bitty little Joann's, a Hobby Lobby with just about no apparel fabric to choose from, and a Wal-mart that's about to quit selling fabric. That's it.

Yes, one can order fabric over the internet, but there is no tactile satisfaction in this process. I mourn the demise of fabric stores.

Next month, my 25-year old daughter and I are going to New York and will spend an afternoon shopping for fabric at what I'm expecting to be some fantastic fabric stores. I'm looking forward to sharing the experience with her and I'll be thinking about my mom as I go up and down the aisles, pulling bolts, feeling the textures, smelling the sizing.

Order Vogue online, then get the sales flyer

I love Vogue patterns, but they are rather pricey. I thought I'd do the smart thing and order the three patterns I wanted online. If you order online, buy two patterns and get one free. What a deal, huh?

Today they came in the mail. So did my newest Joann's flyer, with an ad for $3.99 Vogue patterns. Wish I had waited.

Who says boys clothes aren't fun to make?

A nice, stripy shirt for Connor. A matching one is underway for big brother, Chrispy.

Connor cargos

The BabyLock Ellure does embroidery, too. The initials "CP" apply to all of my grandchildren (so far) - even Colby [CORRECTION - CAMERON], due Nov. 1. These cargo shorts are for Connor. He's 2 years old and starting to talk on the phone.

For the Dolphins Fan

For the guy who still keeps his ticket stubs and season program from the team's perfect season in the 70's. He lives in Las Vegas, so watch for him in a sports book at your favorite casino during football season.

Swingy, flowery dress for princess Caille

This weekend's project was a swingy, flowery little dress for princess Caille, my 7-year old granddaughter. This was made from Simplicity 5827, which was very easy to contruct.

The only thing I don't like about it is that I seem to have a problem keeping my stitching totally completely straight when I get to the zipper tab bump... I still have trouble with this! It's not awful, just a little bit off.

Any suggestions from sewing enthusiasts out there?

Homeland Security at Work to Thwart Hawaiian Shirt and Cammo Pants

I guess bombs are never less than 13 ounces in weight? Who knew? I sent Chrispy his cammo shorts and hawaiian shirt on Tuesday via the U.S. Postal Service. I weighed the package on my postal scale and applied the (more than) correct amount of postage in stamps to the envelope. It was returned to me yesterday.

Cammo Shorts for Chrispy

I hope he doesn't wear the cammo shorts with that hawaiian shirt :-) Again, Simplicity 5581, but enlarged the pattern.

By the way, we call him Chrispy because his last name starts with P... Chris P.

Hawaiian Shirt for Chris

My 9-year old grandson, Chris, likes a shirt that makes a statement. I made this one from Simplicity 5581. I had to enlarge the L boy's size. It's very difficult to find patterns for boys once they get past an 8.