Fabric Hunt
Usually, if I need a specific color for the backing of a quilt, I can turn to my extensive stash and find what I need. Like anything else, there are exceptions to this too. I was looking for a specific shade of brown with a little bit of teal.
Lo and behold, I walked into a Jo Ann Fabric store one evening and found what I thought would work well. The fabric was one of Jo Ann's Premium fabrics and the store had two bolts in stock. I bought two yards to take home and compare to the quilt top. Imagine my excitement when I realized the fabric would not only work well but was actually perfect!!! To add icing to the cake, I had a 50% off one cut of fabric coupon to use!
The next morning, coupon in hand (or rather, in purse), I went back to Jo Ann's to purchase the perfect fabric. There was none left!!! Not even a little remnant remained in the store. I was shocked to learn that in less than twenty-four hours, two bolts of the very fabric I wanted.....needed.....had been sold. I am lucky enough to have another Jo Ann Fabrics Store about twenty minutes in the other direction so I headed there! They only had one and one-half yard left. All of a sudden this fabric is extremely popular and I can't get my hands on it!!!
I got on my computer and was able to order this perfect fabric from JoAnn's.com. Ahhhh.....happy. They thanked me for my order, confirmed my order and told me I would receive my order in seven to ten days. I tried to be patient but after nine days became a little nervous. I went to my e-mail to re-read the order confirmation (I don't check e-mail daily like most of you!) and found another e-mail from Jo Ann's. This e-mail informed me that the fabric I ordered is out of stock so they cancelled my order!!! Arrrrgggghhhh!
I went back to JoAnn's.com and tried out their store locater. This was a very helpful tool. I was able to check other Jo Ann stores and see if they had the fabric in stock. There were two yards at one store, three at another, two and a helf at two other stores etc. Some stores very far from my house. Then I saw it!!!! A store about thirty-five minutes from my house was supposed to have eleven yards in stock. I called the store. Spoke to a very helpful woman who found the fabric, verified that there were at least ten yards on the bolt and put it on hold for me. I got in my car, drove out there and bought every bit of the ten yards, twenty-nine inches they had.
On the way home I had the feeling of victory, like I had won a prize in a special contest.
Happy Quilting,
Laurel