Where Have All the Fabric Stores Gone?

I haven't sewn lately...it's been a couple of years, in fact. I used to sew a lot when my daughter was young. I liked sewing dresses for her (and me). Once or twice I even made matching dresses for the both of us.

The bug to sew bit this week. It may have something to do with the fact that I have no dresses, and all the ones at the stores I simply do not like. The ones I do like would cost a week or two worth of groceries. So I took myself to Hancock Fabric Store.

Of course this was after a trip to Target where I found a pair of shoes that I had to have loved. Have I ever mentioned I have a shoe fetish? I come by it honestly. My grandmother had tons of them, with matching purses, no less. The color spoke to me, and so did the price...$19.99.

It was because of these shoes that I found myself at the fabric store. I don't have much to wear them with, so I needed to rectify that particular problem.

I dug around in my collection of patterns and found a sundress that I liked and made years ago.

I am so NOT a photographer!

After making a few trips around the store looking at all the fabric choices that would work with the shoes, and that was within the  price range per yard that I wanted to spend, I found this:

And I made this:

I had to modify the pattern some; didn't put in the darts, shortened it about 6 inches, and made the back V neckline shorter...oh, and since I had misplaced the directions for the skirt, I winged it a bit, but it was your basic gather waist/attach bodice kind of dress, all in a couple of hours (except for hemming). That is a record for me!

And this is what it looks like together:

Now back to my question 'where have all the fabric stores gone'? There seriously aren't that many anymore. What's up with Walmart? They got rid of their sewing section. Their fabric was usually a bit cheaper, although not a huge selection.  There are more knitting stores these days. I don't know how to knit.

Maybe I should learn...just saying.

Henryville, Indiana

We were in Henryville, Indiana today. This is the little town that was hit so hard by the tornado on March 2, 2012. These pictures don't really show the utter devastation that was wreaked on that community just a few days ago.

As is most often the case, there are numerous people helping in many ways, as was evidenced there today, and in ways unseen as well.

The death toll from those tornadoes in Southern Indiana and Kentucky stands at 34. So many lives lost. So many lives forever altered...

There are many churches, organizations, and individuals that are giving of their time and resources, however, more helped is needed. If you would like to participate in helping this town rebuild their lives, please visit secc.org. There is information on this site that will show you how you can help.

For more information on the tornado that touched down in Henryville visit: www.washingtonpost.com/.../henryville.../gIQAfn2RzR_blog.html

I Don't Usually Do This But...

I don't usually brag on my kids, not because they don't deserve it, but because that's just how I roll. But my 15 year old has kinda blown me away over the past 24 hours.

His girlfriend, (his best friend) broke up with him over the weekend. We've all been there, right? She wants to remain good friends with him though. And he has agreed to explore this with her.

Someone asked me about him, and told me they heard the ex-couple had talked and they are going to be really good friends now. Ha, if only it were that simple.

This is what amazes me...he has decided to put aside his feelings of being dumped by a girl, he has decided to forsake the male ego and put aside his pride, and honor the relationship, honor the friendship, honor the girl. He is putting aside the hurt that he feels, (and there is still some hurt) and put her feelings above his own because he cares about the friendship they had.

He doesn't realize what kind of person it takes to do something like this. He doesn't understand the integrity it takes to be willing and open to go down this path. And that's what makes it so very special.

The making of a good man...just saying.

Devastating Tornadoes in Indiana and Kentucky

Ky. gov.'s office says 5 dead in storms

www.whas11.com

Such a sad day for so many people that were affected by these horrendous tornadoes. The death count is at least 15 now. The town of Henryville, just 22 miles from the city I live in, is no more.

Massive updraft near Borden, IN.

By: Jeremy Kappell WDRB