What happened to the days when you could run up to your local dime store and buy a skein of black embroidery thread for a nickel and come home to work on your project? I'm on my third day of quest for plain old black DMC embroidery floss.
I told you about discovering on Saturday that WalMart doesn't carry floss. That was a big enough shocker right there. I knew that most of the WMs had given up stocking fabric, but embroidery thread? Gimme a break.
So yesterday after church, I decided I'd drive down to Hobby Lobby, a goodly trip from my house, but it was a beautiful Sunday afternoon and I was up for the drive. Well, guess what? Hobby Lobby (or at least this one) is closed on Sundays--harking back to the days when you could run up to your local dime store (which are now nonexistent) and buy a skein of black embroidery thread on Saturday.
There happens to be a Michael's not too far from the closed-on-Sunday Hobby Lobby, so I decided I'd try there. Michael's was open for business, and they had embroidery thread, at least every color in anybody's rainbow except BLACK!!! The black slot was empty. My daughter Andy was with me helping me look. After I had scanned the skeins thoroughly, I thought, Andy said, "Here's some black, Mom." I grabbed up four skeins without inspecting it, we checked out, paying almost $5 for four tiny skeins of thread) and we went on down the road to The Fish Market restaurant and had a nice lunch.
It was only when I got home that I discovered I had bought some kind of slinky slicky crawly nylon embroidery thread. I tried to use it anyway to blanket stitch around my bunny rabbit, but the thread just wouldn't cooperate.
Now I'm going to try the Michael's in Trussville, and if they don't have plain black cotton DMC embroidery floss, I'm going to write to my congressman. This s--t has got to stop.
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On 11/02/2009, Nicole said ...
How frustrating! Don't give up. If you can't find it, your blogging friends will send you some.
On 11/02/2009, Carolyn Ingram said ...
You have finally restored my faith in human nature. The last sentence was so appropriate for your level of frustration with our current retail situation. And have you noticed they never have understock to replace the missing merchandise?
Hobby Lobby is always closed on Sunday because the owners are very religious. Have to give them some credit for these lost beliefs in taking Sunday as a day of rest.
Hope things continue to improve for you with the monster fibro. Lyrica is my saving grace but cannot/will not take the recommended dosage because I need to function during the day. But it is so helpful to help with sleep and pain at night.
So looking forward to our red/white challenge you wrote about in your blog. Have the fabric and waiting for the book. Thanks for letting all of us know about this fun challenge. Carolyn Ingram
On 11/02/2009, Gayle said ...
I had to laugh out loud when I read this (love the Run DMC photo)...even when things get rough, you've got a sense of humor.
On 11/02/2009, Rian said ...
Welcome to my world. I buy my supplies on the internet, for I have nowhere to shop.
On 11/02/2009, Barbara Anne said ...
Now here is where your local quilting shop could step in and fill the void. Put that in the suggestion box!
I think Ben Franklin still has floss and last time I looked, JoAnn's and Clothworld did, too.
Pearl cotton is good for blanket stitching, but may be a bit heavy for your bunny rabbits. Sorry this has been such an annoyance. Press on with the applique and perhaps the black floss will come!
DS2's flannel top is completed and the backing is washed!!!
Hugs!
On 11/02/2009, Nancy said ...
Susan, I have plenty of black DMC in my stash from the days when I could do fine needlework. If you would like to email me your address I will get some out to you TODAY...if there are any other colors you need, just let me know in the email. I have to 'cowboy boot' boxes full of just new skeins of DMC floss. I would so love to help you out. Especially if it will save you another frustrating drive. I wish I had thought sooner but I was a little slow on the uptake on this one.
On 11/02/2009, Nancy said ...
ummmm...that should read "TWO" boxes, not 'to', LOL.
On 11/02/2009, Covered Porches said ...
I hurt for you... I know the exact feeling you are having. My nearest DMC source is 90 miles away...... Thank goodness for a Mom and quilting friends that shop for me.
On 11/02/2009, Jan said ...
Ohhhhhh Susan! Please forgive me, but your quest for that "black" embroidery thread really had me chuckling! That sh*t definitely has to stop (LOL). I'll be happy to send some your way :) Just say the word my dear!
On 11/02/2009, Debra Spincic said ...
I hear you loud and clear! I could write a book about my frustration with the local fabric stores. . . . . and then they wonder why eBay is stealing all the business. For the time and effort you spent, you could have bought the DMC off eBay and had it in your mailbox today. While I get mad about eBay too, at least it is a fairly reliable source.
On 11/02/2009, Nancy said ...
My Walmart got rid of the embroidery floss and we still HAVE material although not a whole lot... Every time I went in I bought a dozen skeins for 50cents each....
On 11/02/2009, Kerrie Marquart said ...
I LOVED your comment on the black floss!! LOL! So true! God Bless! Kerrie
On 11/02/2009, Debbie said ...
Ohhh Susan, that was a hoot! After the last two weeks with all my own stress, I needed a laugh! But, I know how you feel...you need just one little thing and nobody has it...been there done that! Frustrating!
On 11/02/2009, Jocelyn said ...
Really makes you wonder what gives? The last time I went to Wallyworld, the aisles that used to carry all the craft stuff was now one half whatever crafty things they had left, and the other side was all school supplies. But the next aisle over was FULL of pet care products! Two aisles of it!! Huh?? I mean I like pets and all, but it's like they are running the crafters out of town :-(
On 11/02/2009, Joanne said ...
Hey, Suze - I still have two small drawers full of Jenny's stash of embroidery floss--every shade of every color you can imagine. And one skein of black. There's also another skein that might be black, but has a different sheen from the really black one. You can have any of this that you want. OK? - Una
On 11/02/2009, Jenny said ...
Don't you miss the locally owned needlework shops that used to be everywhere in B'ham? I sure do. WM moved in, started selling the same things they did at a much cheaper price, put them all out of business, then WM stops selling those things! Not fair at all!
On 11/02/2009, Courtney Short-Prudhomme said ...
all our walmarts stopped stocking it and I got a TON during that time for like ten cents a hank.. I rely on hob lob and michaels.. if they stop carrying it I guess I will have to order it online..oh and hobby lobby is a Christian owned business - that is why they say they are closed on Sunday (I worked there eons ago)..
On 11/02/2009, Diane W. said ...
Thanks for the laugh. You made my day! Diane in Colorado
On 11/02/2009, Carol said ...
Amazing...you would think that would be a staple that they would never run out of...go figure. I have some I'd be glad to share.
On 11/02/2009, Libby Dillard said ...
I hear you!! Our Walmart has some material but got rid of the floss! I wonder just how much room does embroidery thread take up??
On 11/02/2009, Donna said ...
I know how you feel! It's hard to find any kind of sewing accessories these days.
This summer I could not find rick rack! Frustrating!!!
I do miss Hobby Lobby being closed on Sunday and I understand. I know the owners are very religious.
We don't even have a Hancocks in our area! I have to drive to the 280 one too! Just 50 miles away! UGH
On 11/02/2009, Sharon said ...
Would you like me to send you some black floss?? lolol I wouldnt want you writing to the congressman. You know the black slot is always empty. Dont you thinks someone could FILL it or buy extra to STOCK IT??
On 11/02/2009, Patty said ...
The black floss must be hiding out with the size 6 black low-heeled shoes. They always seem to have an abundance of every other color or size. Of course they can't possibly think about re-ordering before all of the rest of the items are sold. So, I use a really dark navy blue or dark green floss instead and just polish up the current pair of shoes and hope they last just a little longer. Loved your last sentence, gave me quite a chuckle.
On 11/03/2009, Deb said ...
How frustrating Susan, it always seems to be the way doesn't it, you can guarantee if its something you want it wqon't be there
On 11/03/2009, Kai said ...
Ditto to what everyone said about sending you some #310! I have a TON of it, Always keep extra black, white, and Christmas red! Those are my 'staple' colors. I hope you find some - 'cause it's a pain in the booty to need a specific something (especially something as basic as embroidery floss) and NO ONE has any! But if you don't, just put out the word, & you'll be getting so much black floss the mail carrier will wonder what's going on! LOL!
P.S. In 1971, I went into a teeny Five & Dime and bought 100 skeins of DMC - all colors - for the grand total of $3.06! Three cents a skein! Two cents tax per dollar. Sigh ...
On 11/03/2009, Valerie said ...
guess what (if that sounds like comfort !!!) they're even more expensive in France !! and stores (including groceries) are closed on Sundays !
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