The most major news on the NT fashion sewing front (and probably the news that is going to affect me, personally, the most negatively) is that two of the local "independent" fabric/sewing stores are closing down :( .
Strangely enough both are owned by women who appear to have come to a similar conclusion at the same time, that is : given the recent 30% rise in the cost of fabric and sewing materials (thanks to the drop in value of the Aussie dollar) and the very likely future reduction in local consumer buying of such products (again thanks to the economic situation), now would be a very good time to shut up shop and/or retire.
I can totally understand why these businesses are closing down, and think that if it was myself I would prefer to leave on a "high" rather than hang on until it becomes an economic necessity, however it DOES mean that Spotlight is now the main (in fact I think one-and-only) game in town when it comes to fashion fabrics for the home sewer! Though that said there IS always the internet as another option for those of us in geographically remote climes- thank goodness !!).
Quilters will still have Dragonfly Design fabrics to go to as an alternative, however I think these guys will probably be feeling the pinch too as people spend less on what is seen as "hobby" related items.
Now the very awful upside of all this is that due to the fact that these businesses are closing down I have been able to snap up some patterns at very reasonable prices (50% off) :
Quite a few of these patterns are current catalogue and the others are hopefully "classics" or at least styles that won't date too quickly....Being on sale so cheap I thought I should stock up while I have the chance to (who knows what the future holds, plus Spotlight has already had its 50% off sale :P ). Unfortunately for me I have recently realised I tend to "collect" patterns (soo many potential outfits, does it really matter how many actually get made?) so I will be working quite hard in the near future to make at least a few of these up. Truly...honestly.....
You know I am counting on y'all to hold me to it :)
1 comment:
Losing two (and the only) independent fabrics stores is tough!! Shopping on-line is an option but it really isn't the same is it? I'm surprised that the Darwin markets don't have a stall selling fabrics, especially when you are so close to Asia.
Sad news indeed and a big loss for you! I hope you stock up big on fabrics while you can. Think of it as an investment. :)
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