Just like, when the next generation down (the friends of your kids) “friends” you on Facebook, you know you didn’t entirely mess up as a parent.

as much as I sew now, it all started when I was 8, and my mom taught me the basics.
I had to convince my Home-Ec teacher that I had actaully sewed the project for class, not my Mom!

When my daughter wound up in a home ec class in 8th grade (she didn’t sing or play an instrument, so there she was) she commented, “I think I’m the only person in the whole class who knows how to use a sewing machine–and it’s a real pain to keep them all from figuring it out!”

And yes, G street fabrics is spectacular.

LOVE G Street.

Great memories too, for all, I’m sure?

I miss that old G Street Fabric store. I have happy memories of wandering the crowded store, the tight stairways and finding treasures with a friend that lives down there.

Fast forward 30 years and G Street has moved to the suburbs, losing charm and lots of the treasures along the way and my friend started knitting a couple of years ago.

And that’s how it works. Knowledge passed down from generation to generation. In my case it was knowledge passed down to me by my oldest sister — 16 years older.

Muslin = swatch! I made a bridesmaid dress, years ago. Because I was trying to fit myself without the benefit of a dress form, I made a muslin and took it to an alterations place to ask for help with the final fitting. The seamstress placed pins in a few strategic places, which I then took home and replicated on the real fabric. Fit is important!

My G Street Fabrics story: When I was engaged, I lived in the Virginia suburbs, and couldn’t find fabric I really liked for my bridesmaids dresses. Everyone I talked to said “Go to G Street.” This was long before Google or the internet, so all I had was a phone book, which said the store was on G Street. When I got there, I discovered that it wasn’t there any longer. A kind volunteer at the Museum of American Art let me use the phone to call the store, where I found out that it had relocated to Rockville. My map ended at the District line, and the staff member on the phone was a little fuzzy on the directions. I wound up taking M Street to Wisconsin and following it all the way out, a long and arduous trek. It entailed going through Georgetown on a Saturday afternoon, and the pedestrians ruled the roadways. It took over an hour to get there, and when I finally did, I was too overwhelmed by the experience and the prices. I never found fabric I liked and as I recall, I got lost on the way home! Today, my daughter loves the G Street near us, but we still can’t afford the prices. I will say their staff is knowledgeable though, so we often get good advice!

Ya…I still hate swatching, even though I see it work wonders for others. I’ve never made a “muslin” per se, but I have used your idea of a cheaper fabric, that could still be worn on it’s own as a “practice” run. 🙂

Lynnie just gifted me with an beautiful antique Bruges lace collar :-}
When I was planning my Aconie, I made a wedge shaped swatch as I was making up the (simple) lace as I went along.