Quote Originally Posted by Geoff Withnell View Post
Having been married to a professional dressmaker for 43 years, here is my advice for surviving trips to the fabric store.

Step 1. Bring a book. I now use technology and bring my Nook, to make sure I have enough reading material.

Step 2. Fabric stores ALWAYS have chairs. The most comfortable will be in the sewing machine sales area, in front of sewing machines. If there is no sewing machines sales at the store you are in (unlikely but possible), there IS a pattern book table, with chairs.

Step 3. Sit in your selected chair and read. If asked to pass a particular pattern lots of book, smile, and pass it.

You will get lots of smiling approval, since you are both there supporting your wife's sewing project, AND staying out of her way.

We obviously need to work on our stores on this side of the pond. I haven't seen a chair anywhere in a fabric store in all my years sewing - not in Canada or in the USA. Maybe they're worried the staff will use them - as if...

Great team work. I like your flexibility, Geoff.