October 20, 2013

A PATTERN BUYING STORY AND A BIT OF PATTERN DAJA VU...

...sometimes patterns dance in my head - sort of like visions of sugarplums.

Insert patterns instead candy
 McCall's 6844 was just such pattern.
 
It debuted just as I was preparing to go on vacation a few weeks ago, and I knew right away that it was a MUST HAVE for my ever growing collection.  You know every now and again a pattern hits that you love so much - you are ready to throw caution to the wind and literally fight for it at the pattern counter (been there, almost done that) cause the store only stocks two or three of then.   I know, it's such a simple pattern, but something about it really excited me.  I know now that the something was the print of the lead view on the pattern envelope as well as the cutsie style.  Needless to say, when I went to JoAnn's in New York they didn't have the new patterns - what a bummer and a let down!

As soon as I returned though I was off to my local Hancock's to snatch up that beauty (and a few others on my list) but M6844 was my main objective.  I was on a mission and really should have been wearing a sign that said "Danger, danger!" upon entering the store.  "Look out ladies, don't get between me and that pattern drawer"!!!  Or maybe I could get some of that crime scene investigaton tape and rope the area off.  But thank goodness the coast was clear when I arrived in the pattern area.  Two other ladies saw me frantically pulling and slowly made their way to me.  Although busy with my work I saw them in my peripheral vision. The fact that I may  have been  murmuring "My Precious, My Precious" to myself just a little bit as the patterns flew might have attracted them, I'm not sure.

The best looking picture I could find of Gollum

But they both inched closer to see what the excitement was all about.  They stood there for a minute, pretending looking in other drawers, meandering around, undecided; unlike me, not really knowing what they wanted.  Both of them kept looking my patterns as I pulled my list.  They started picking them up and commenting about about them as I piled them on top of the cabinet.  I think they were trying to confuse me ya'll, because they started asking questions, like:
  • which view are you planning to make
  • what fabric are you going to use
  • what attracted you to this pattern
  • oh my, you've got a notebook and already have your patterns listed.  You must go on the internet ahead of time????
Questions, question, questions!  I wanted to say "hey ladies, no questions, I can't pull and answer questions too!" or  "pull for your self ladies, these are all mine"!  But don't worry -  I was friendly!  "Yes, I'm linked to the pattern sites and get notifications when new patterns are released so I can compile my list and not have to spend time looking in the catalog when I get here", or "I have close patternaholic friends like myself who call me with the heads up".  They both commented, "You are so smart"!  "Yeah, yeah, yeah, flattery will get you no where, now let me get back to my work!", (thought to myself but not said - hahaha).

I did find time for a few nice-sa-ties!  What's your name?, Where do you live?  Found out that they were not together but lived in different towns and had to travel to my Hancock's because they don't have resources.  Soooo sad! 


Now, back to McCall's 6844, the No. 1 pattern of hot pursuit. Although I love the pattern I kept getting a daja vu feeling about it.  I just knew I'd seen this pattern before.  Just like the Bible says, "there is nothing new under the sun".  I even consulted Ebony, one of my #1 pattern experts, and she couldn't come up with anything similar.  Fast forward one week ahead where I find myself culling through ALL of my patterns in an effort to downsize and get ready for a SkillsUSA yard sale at school next Saturday and low and behold, look what I found...

MCCALL'S 5529 from circa 2007
I KNEW IT!  It's not exactly the same but it soooo very close.  This view of the line drawings show the differences - vertical darts in the back bodice, and raglan sleeves. 


The Daja vu mystery in my head is solved.  The most amazing thing is that I remembered this pattern from 2007 although I never used it.  It's been marinating in the pattern stash for 6 years.  Moral of my long drawn out story:  May I have many, many more years of pattern pulling interest and sewing capabilities; and may my mind always be this sharp in the name of Jesus, Amen...

43 comments:

  1. I make a list and take it with me too. I've even trained my husband on how to find patterns. He's so good at it now,he'll even pick some not on the list that he thinks that I'll like.
    People at the fabric stores ask me questions too. They should pay us consulting fees

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    1. Yes, I need to be paid. People are always asking questions and I was just kidding in the post, I really don't mind answering. I do have to be careful though, because sometimes they are disguised as sewers but are really there to try to rope somebody into doing their sewing for them.

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  2. So funny -- and I love how you wrote it! I can see you frantically pawing through the pattern drawers now:) I am the same way. I keep a list of patterns on my phone so I can be ready. My fabric stores are not as friendly as yours, though. Very few people chat it up, something that I miss.

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    1. I actually don't mind chatting sewing talk. I'm actually guilt of asking those same questions myself. Some people are friendlier than others though.

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  3. sometimes when patterns are on sale I think it's quicker to go through the drawers while peopel are fighting over the books lol! I'm always consulting when I'm at the fabric shops lol!

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  4. I always have a list ready to go ahead of time. I find it too hard to focus at the store looking through the books. Everything looks good to me in the store because I only look at the photos instead of the line drawings. I though everyone had a list ready to go for pattern sale day :)

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    1. Yes Eileen I find that the list is definitely the way to go, unless you forget your list at home. I've done that too.

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  5. I was so tickled reading this post. You made me think of a time I was in Joann's during a pattern sale. I mean mugged(as the young people say) a lady because she was hogging all the drawers and gather all the patterns. LOL

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    1. HAhaha! I'll bet we have all had some interesting pattern gathering experiences.

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  6. Too funny.. and was giggling as I continued reading. Man o man .. sharp memory. Long island joanns' are notorious for hiding the lastest patterns during their sales.

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    1. Yes Sheila out stores do the same thing and that's not nice at all!

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  7. What a fun story, Faye. It really made me laugh out loud! I was wondering if it was going to turn out the other ladies were from McCalls!!

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    1. I wish they had been from McCalls Kyle maybe I could have gotten a real hookup!

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  8. Amen. In Jesus' wonderful name. :) I too check the websites and make a list on my phone before I go to the pattern store. I think it makes it faster and easier than looking through the books.
    My husband thinks it is so funny but he loves how it saves so much time.

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    1. Yes Angie, we are good at what we do!

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  9. This was a funny post...When there is a pattern sale (McCalls $0.99 ended today @ Joann's) I already have the numbers written down and go straight to the drawers. If someone is hogging the drawers I normally excuse myself and pull my pattern. I don't mess around but I do talk to other patrons when I'm in the mood if not I have my "I'm on a mission face and that means no chit chatting" The similarities of sewists who have never met is so interesting.

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    1. I know - right! We are serious about our craft!

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  10. Oh Faye. I enjoy your blog more and more. It's so good to know of someone else who is just as obsessed with all things sewing as I am!

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  11. Yes indeed Diana, I am really messed up, but at least I don't mind admitting it. Us being addicted to sewing is a great thing!

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  12. Hahahaha loved your story and can so picture you rummaging through those pattern draws and those ladies watching/stalking you. I had a similar thing happen when I was fabric shopping on our holiday. Hubby and I were piling up the bolts of fabric and I was on a mission as there was a fabric sale on and the fabric store was full of onlookers asking me questions... I just wanted to push them out of my way as I kept seeing fabric bolts I was eyeing off being swept away in front of my very eyes! I was lucky as I had my hubby beside me and I kept saying "grab that bolt before someone else does" hahaha. It actually makes the whole shopping experience that much more fun and exciting lol. By the way I'm loving the look of that pattern and can so relate as to why you wanted it. Looking forward to seeing you wearing it :)

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    1. I like your funny fabric shopping trip too Chris. At least you had an ally with you on your quest - your husband. Nice!

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  13. It's always nice when you can talk to others in the pattern/fabric store. People used to be so friendly in our Hancock Fabrics, which closed down 6 years ago (the nearest one is now 150 miles away), and in the House of Fabrics about a million years ago (or maybe just 15 or so years). But at Joann's, which is all we have left here, the staff is surly, leaving the customers pretty surly, too. I think it's a compliment that those ladies were so interested in your finds and methods!

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    1. I actually take other customers being friendly as a compliment too Marjie. Matter of fact, I've been known to start conversations in the fabric stores myself.

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  14. I have been on searching high and low for this pattern, but do love the older on too! Nothing becomes between sewers and their patterns or material!!! Cant wait to see your creation!

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  15. Faye, VERY funny story!!! I have that older pattern too and made it unsuccessfully. It went together well but I just didn't like the way it looked on me. The gathering for the peplum portion was way to much for my taste. I think the lines on this newer version looks more appealing to me and am now on the hunt for it too! If I find it and one in your size range, I'll get it for you.

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