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Sabbo

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Last night, the news reported that a store which is very important to me will be closing. :( Jo Ann was the LAST local brick & mortar place I could go to for quilting fabric/supplies. ALL the privately owned fabric/quilt stores in our region closed AGES ago--even the one where I purchased my machine! Wal Mart carries some stuff--but is junk compares to what it USED to carry--now it's all precut, prepacked fabric pieces & general sewing supplies.
Even though their store was less than 3 miles from my house, I did 99% of my shopping online--this location's in-store selection was ALWAYS crappy. They also never had as many associates as they really needed. I went there with my son for thread needed to repair something of his, & they had nothing in color selection of that type of thread--the rack was almost empty!!

I spend most of my days making quilt tops. If making a small (crib/child) size quilt, I CAN completely finish it on my machine. Larger ones, though, I can't. By that I mean layering the top, batting, & back, then actually sewing (quilting) & binding them together.
I make quilt tops for 2 reasons: quilt blocks are pure geometry, which I love, & how many hours per day can one spend STARING AT SCREENS--OF ANY TYPE--TV, computer or phone (if not working)??
 
It's amazing to me that a business that is essentially a monopoly - that had no serious competition - would go out of business. Maybe someone will see opportunity in this market to start a new chain and make a profit.
 
I often feel that THIS company went under because they tried to spread themselves thin--cover EVERY craft out there. I still recall when JoAnn & So-Fro House of Fabrics were INSIDE shopping malls. The store focus used to be purely sewing related. The other big craft chains, Michaels & Hobby Lobby have always sold fabric, but very little IN STORE.

To make matters worse, in a way, my sewing machine's bobbin winder stopped working today!! I had just wound 1 bobbin, & had set a second one up for winding, but it wouldn't spin. I messaged someone, and they said it probably needs to be taken in for maintenance. Sewing is how I spend a lot of my day, so I'm going to be bored!
 
Same issue, I will be out of paper soon, there is a paper store near me, but I think it is only commercial. But I miss getting to touch it and compare weights. I have also been dealing with artist block because I have no clue what I want to make next. Anything fabric based i just don't have the space for right now.
 
I've been using the time until my machine is ready to come up with more quilt/quilt block patterns. I use 4x4 graph paper, rulers, & colored pencils to do that. I will often draw 2 or 3 of the same block/shape, then use different color combos to color them in. This gives me ideas for which fabrics to use.
Just can't wait to get back to cutting/sewing, though. In my storage area, there are 4 large storage bins (66qt) FULL of fabric that I have accumulated. Some is over 20 years old, & the stores I bought them from closed LONG AGO!
 
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