Curiouser and curiouser

In speaking to my friends about the soon-to-be lack of local fabric selections, I found that everyone already knew. (Note to self: get out more.) And no one was disturbed about it! As one friend, an avid quilter, explained, who sews any more except to quilt? And for that, you don't go to the big-box for your fabric selection.

Hmmm. Now that you mention it, I haven't sewn a garment for myself from "store bought" fabric in years. I have sewn skirts (2 of them last year in fact) from flea market finds, one a vintage bed coverlet and the other a not-very-old Battenberg-esque lace shower curtain. Compliments abound for both. But a granddaughter (and the prospect of another) have got me in the sewing mood.

So I took my ill-gotten knowledge out to the big-box to commiserate with the employees in that department and to buy all that was left of large red/white gingham check which I make tablecloths and napkins out of. I found that the district manager had told them this morning that their fabric department wasn't closing. Wasn't going to be dissolved into "life celebrations" with pre-cut yardage.

Now just whom do I believe--the customer service rep with her finger on the corporate pulse, or the latest word-of-mouth? I know whom I WANT to believe.

But I bought all that was on the bolt anyway, all seven yards of it. Picnic, anyone?