One of the perks of having a blog is that occassionally I can get on my soapbox and rant, which I'm not really predisposed to do...so...please allow me a moment to talk about one of my pet peeves. When buying fabric at a megopolis like Joann's they many times have bad cutters...couple that with their fear of cutting an 8th of an inch over what you ask them for (I guess it comes out of their paycheck?)...you can easily end up with a wonky cut. More often than not by the time by the time I lay it out and straighten the grain I am 3-4 inches short on one or both ends and in peril of not having enough fabric for my project. Exactly what happened today on the above pattern. You will note from the pattern envelope shown that a sleeveless version of the shrug top is not featured. Inasmuch as I bought the fabric for this top at JOANN'S I did not have enough to cut sleeves! However, I think that making a silk purse out of a sow's ear (as my mom would have said) is called redemption. I really like this little sleeveless shrug that I ended up with! And so did everyone else at the Pinot's Palette painting party I attended tonight. However, it does not excuse a bad cut of fabric...just sayin'...
Also...a great marker for dark or black fabric is a white Conte' pastel pencil. It shows really well and brushes right off...
Having worked at one of the "other" fabric stores similar to JoAnne's there is no excuse for doing a bad job cutting fabric!!! It does not come out of their pay check... but if enough people would take back the "bad cut" maybe the company would finally get some people that know what they are doing for a change! We always took back fabric as long as it has not been washed or cut into and was the same size as what was sold! People every now and again would bring back stuff that had flaws etc... they want people to shop their stores... if they keep messing up... people sure won't return! Next time might I suggest that you look at your fabric b/4 you leave the store... and bring the problem to the manager... you would be surprised how sometimes they will go wayyyy outta their way to make it right for you!!! Just a thought. Or even look at how they are cutting it b/4 the cut is done!
ReplyDeleteI too work at this type store. Personally, I make every attempt to get the fabric straight before cutting. Sometimes this means rolling most of it off the bolt and quite a bit of fiddling. So many of my customers get antsy and just want their fabric cut so they can get on with it. Please watch the cutting clerk and speak up if you see it's not right. Like Jean above said...we want your business and want you to be happy. Inexperience seems to be the biggest culprit. Personally,
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't hire a cutter if they had never sewn. Beautiful save, btw!