ShelTluvr

Oh yes, I remember those meters, too. I miss the old shops of any variety actually. There is no charm in shops anymore. It is all the same; particularly in Malls; a JC Penney at one end, and a Macy's at the other, lol! Or something like it. Service is not as good anywhere, the fabric stores less plentiful, and prices of anything seem outrageous. You brought back some nice memories though. Thanks for that!

Karamarie

I just don't remember those meters. I guess when I was young, my mom would have bought the fabric and I was probably at home watching my 4 younger siblings. They are interesting, wonder why they quit using them.

bakermom

I remember the meters, also remember having to ask a clerk to get the sewing pattern you wanted. No self serve. Some were not keen to get a pattern for a young girl (me) that started seeing her own clothes at age 9. Many stores carried fabric, even some clothing stores had a dry goods area where they carried a modest amount of fabric, notions and patterns

lberna

We had mezzanines in the department stores in downtown New Orleans. There was a department store there called Krauss (I think that’s how it was spelled) that had a huge variety of fabrics. Everything from bridal fabrics, suit material, upholstery fabrics and everything in between.

juliasb

The Singer Shop was one of the better stores available back in the 60's and then Hancock was the other fine shop. Hudson's (now Macy's) also carried good fabrics as did Sears. I shopped at all of them.
It is amazing how things changed over the years. I lived in the Metro Detroit area and we had them all as well as Ben Franklins and Kresgees for less costly fabrics. So many good choices. Now they are all gone. LQS are far and few between and JAF is not my choice for so many things. I do most of my shopping online.

thimblebug6000

Wow a ten year old posting revived! Interesting to read back to see if any of the members are still with us.

SallyS

When I was a teenager in the 50s I babysat so I could buy fabric. It was at Butler Brothers in Van Nuys, CA and 39 cents a yard. Now I have such a stash that I don't need to buy more. Wish I had known how much easier life would eventually become!

Stitchnripper

We had a small local store on the Main Street of our small cuty. They had one of those gizmos. Plus we called it “material” back in the day. Not fabric!!

Fizzle

We had The Merc and the The Cash Bazaar. Merc had the meters. And they were right at the register. Cut and pay.

stitch678

My mom used to take me to an old family " dry goods" store called " Mara's" ... that being the family name. 2 brothers, sons of a tailor, who began the business after the war (Ww11). It was deep and narrow with rolls and bolts reaching high on the walls on shelves to near ceiling. The show window, protected by amber colored plastic to avoid sun damage) featured the latest new selections. There was a mezzanine with a bridal dept. and office ( the latter had a window overlooking the shop sales floor). I still remember old Tom Mara with a measuring tape worn around his neck climbing on the rolling library ladder to reach something a patron pointed out.