The Bishop Method goes into great length about the glories of hair canvas. Hair what???? This was a new one for me, and a quick Google search proved that it does, in fact, exist. Sorry, but I didn't even consider looking for the stuff at my local JoAnn Fabrics, the only fabric store for miles around, and one that I hate with a passion. I shop there as little as possible. My last visit to JoAnn's was for 4 yds of unbleached muslin. The salesperson actually had to measure it out twice, all the while smoothing and stretching it out so that I wouldn't get even 1/4" more than exactly 4 yards. Mind you, this purchase was an extravagant $1.49 / Yd! WTF Obviously some corporate MBA has done an analysis of how much profit is lost by giving the customer a few extra inches. I'd love to hear from other JoAnn Fabric haters. I know you're out there.
I was at the house in Asbury Park last week and decided to stop in Manhattan on my way back to Maine. I found my hair canvas at Steinlauf and Stoller, Inc on W. 39th St. I knew just standing outside the building that they'd have it. Their specialty is notions, interfacings, zippers, shoulder pads and such. It's such a drab, gray storefront surrounded by stores with windows full of the most colorful outrageous fabrics. Only a place as dreary as this would have hair canvas. Jackpot! I think they had four different types of varying weight and stiffness. A hair canvas bonanza! I can't wait to use it. My next step is to pre-shrink the wool fabric, but I'll need a dry sunny day for that.
"Obviously some corporate MBA has done an analysis of how much profit is lost by giving the customer a few extra inches. I'd love to hear from other JoAnn Fabric haters. I know you're out there."
ReplyDeleteOh, yeah. Don't get me started. I worked in a fabric store when I was in college in the3 early 80's, and I can still remember the store manager (a guy with ZERO sewing experience) constantly harping that "an extra thumb costs us $10,000 a year." But did he ever think about the goodwill and additional business we might gain if we weren't always playing Scrooge? Heck, no.
And I HATE JA's. But it's the only brick & mortar sewing store, so sometimes I hafta go there...