Today I faced my greatest sewing challenge to date. And I was nowhere near a sewing machine.
Instead, picture me in a fabric store. I've just spotted a bolt. When I say bolt, I really mean the remainder of a bolt - let's say 5 metres at most. From a distance it looks like denim, but up close its softer, finer and has more the appearance of a shot cotton. Nice. My heart gives a little skip as I see the tag: a steal at $6.95 a metre. I give it the furtive crinkle test before it springs back, flat as a tack. Good. Poly-cotton. Highly suited to the bias cut skirt I want to make.
I pick up the bolt and set off on the awkward passage around the narrow shop.
And that's when I am accosted. That's a lovely one she booms. She puts her hand out and strokes the fabric, despite its proximity to my person. I nod and smile and try to edge away. I really like that she persists. Gosh, I can see where this is going and frankly I'm not quite sure what to do. Thankfully Rival Shopper's friend Raucous Customer calls from across the shop and she is momentarily distracted. I slink away toward the counter.
But then a knit catches my eye.
Now, as hard as I try, I can't negotiate peering at the knit's price tag and holding the bolt, so I put my prize find down. I prop it against my ... ahem ... bosom (as one does) and examine the price tag. Just as I am squinting at the tiny writing, I feel the bolt rock slightly, then move in its entirety. Yes, Rival Shopper is back and she has taken the bolt. And she is fondling the fabric. My fabric.
Wait a minute. My fabric? I haven't paid for it yet. So technically it isn't. It was, however, in my possession ( ... or was that my bosom? Same, same.). This is awkward - what should I do?
Politely ask for it back?
Offer to share the spoils?
Accept that possession is nine-tenths of the law and I am no longer in possession?
Say "Hey look over there, I think that's linen for $2 a metre ..." and make a mad dash with the bolt?
Head-high tackle her and wrestle the bolt from her clutches?
What would you do?
Thankfully before I have to make a decision, Raucous Customer calls across the shop and Rival Shopper's attention is once again diverted. I scoop up the bolt and head post haste to the counter. Whew ... that was close: the need for fisticuffs in the fabric shop, has been averted.
You could take her, oi oi oi!
ReplyDeleteOh my! What to do indeed? Thank goodness for Raucous Customer is all I can say!!!
ReplyDeleteAnd what would I do??? I don't know but I imagine that if it wasn't for Raucous Customer I'd loose the bolt.
Yay! Glad you got it!!!
ReplyDeleteI'm stunned. Did she really try to grab the bolt, while it was obvious you weren't done with it? How rude! I think if someone tried to pull something like that with me, my eyebrows would raise to the top of my forhead and I would have told her that I wasn't done with it yet, and that after I bought the fabric I wanted from the bold, she could have it (if there was anything left).
ReplyDeleteAnyway, you have your fabric. Good for you. Can't wait to see that skirt!
What would I do? The first time the other person complimented the fabric I was holding, I would say, "Yes, it's very lovely indeed - I'm going to use it for a bias-cut skirt!" And if I wanted to be friendly, I might ask, "What are you shopping for today?"
ReplyDeleteThat was an easy one. For me, the tough call is the Two Hands Reaching Simultaneously for the Same Bolt. :)
would have probably said things I shouldn't have :p or tripped her when her back was turned, and run away with the bolt :p
ReplyDeleteI think I would be too stunned for words, let her get away with whilst having steam come out of my ears and being upset for the next few days. Really, though, if it is in someone's possesion (or bosom position) no one should take it away. Or perhaps the poor woman has social issues. Grrr. Unbelievable. Cherrie
ReplyDeleteIt's a tricky one - if it was resting on any part of you then it should be yours. And I can't believe the cheek she had to move it!
ReplyDeleteI frequent a scrapstore near my house and it has two shelves full of bolts of fabric - you can fill a basket for £5 or a supermarket trolley for £13. You can see the fabric shelves here http://swirlyarts.blogspot.com/2009/03/my-local-scrap-store-sams.html 6th picture down (just so you have context!) One woman positioned her trolley and her self so that no one else could get to the shelves and proceeded to chuck the bolts of fabric to her friend who unwrapped them and put them in the trolley. Several other people were standing around obviously trying to get to the fabric and failing. Me being me moved her trolley (a different one than the one the friend was filling) and said 'Oh I'll just move that so that people can get through' She then flung her arms out so that I couldn't get to the fabric so i just ducked underneath and grabbed some fabric whilst taking orders for the people waiting. She did not like that!! I understand that she wanted lots of fabric (and who wouldn't at £13 for a trolley full) but to physically stop others getting it was a bit much!
Whoa that was a long comment!
scary. glad you won!
ReplyDeleteOh I would have.... thought of a really clever, sarcastic, cutting, yet seemingly pleasant comment once I was in the car sulking on the way home without my lovely fabric.
ReplyDeleteMay be in need of Assertiveness Training.
How rude is Rival Customer!!! Glad you didn't have to head-high tackle her!
ReplyDeletePunch on!
ReplyDeleteNo not really... but tempting...breast leaning is a clear indication of ownership. Its a no brainer. It was yours first!
She's very brazen!! I wouldn't hesitate to tell her to "Back off. That's MY bolt and I had it first".
ReplyDeleteIt's war out there. You've got to be tough if you want to be on the winning side!!!
Phew! That's a relief! The nerve of some people - I'm glad you emerged victorious without an unfortunate incident. ;)
ReplyDeleteUm, creepy!! Fabric rage, hilarious!! I must admit, i often find a bargain & cling to it, it's not far from a shoe sale!! Love Posie
ReplyDeletethat is seriously rude ... i can't say half (well most of) the things goings through my head!
ReplyDeleteShould have made a show of pushing your car keys between your fingers and keeping a metal fist on top of the bolt. ;-)
ReplyDeleteShe needs a lesson in etiquette alright. Maybe a little trip down behind the thread display cabinet with a really big bodkin might teach her some manners. Glad that you got your rewards without bloodshed on the fabric!
ReplyDeleteThere is such a thing as 'your personal space' and she was faaaaaaar tooooo close for comfort!
ReplyDeleteI agree with Cam. Invasion of personal space to the nth degree. Nasty. Not sure what I would have done ....
ReplyDeleteI would have said, excuse me but I haven't finished with that bolt (loudly and faux politely) with up to four children giving the evil eye. I understand the need for fabric but ...
ReplyDeleteHow weird!! I never thought people could be so rude in a fabric shop!
ReplyDeleteNot sure if I'd have been too flabberghasted to speak (how VERY rude of her to grab it) or if I'd have been with it enough to say something. I'd definitely be wishing I'd said something like Quinn... when I was in the car like Buy Design, but I'm never that clever when it counts the most.
ReplyDeleteNot sure how exactly I would react to that, but I know the upshot would be she wouldn't be walking out the store with MY fabric! :p
ReplyDeleteI am glad you got the fabric Liesl because really, you are so nice you would've had a hard time trying to be as rude as she was.
ReplyDeletePush her over and run I say, or scream at the top of your lungs and scare the life out of her so that she runs. Oh the things we could do if there were no social norms.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Karin, you were holding it, so therefore it's yours until it goes back on the shelf! What a rude intrusive customer!! I would never go and touch fabric that someone else was holding, I might comment on how lovely it is but never touch it or make it known that I wanted it.
ReplyDeleteSome people!!!
ReplyDeleteI had a lady walk up to my trolly at Spotlight and just take the roll of fabric she wanted. My girlfriend and I were too flabbergasted to say anything.
Gah! Plucking it from your breast like that!
ReplyDeleteI'm quite shocked. I don't know what I would have done in the same circumstances. Said 'Oi!' rather quietly and ineffectively, perhaps?
Step on her foot or kick her in the shins and RUN! LOL ... joking, umm.. well .. just a little. Some people have so much nerve, don't they?
ReplyDeleteGood for you for bagging the fabric beast and not letting it get away. hee hee
Julie Andrea (sundayschild1966ATyahooDOTcom)
I am sure possession in your hands means you are about to make purchase, in these circumstances I am sure you are entitled to kick the shins of rival shopper, trip rival shopper or acidentally hit rival shopper with said Bolt of fabric! Or would that be violent??mmmm not sure.....
ReplyDeleteAfter working with chilren special needs I have come to notice a few things that tend to get people to move away quickly. Loud and inapproariate ranting and squeeling. Sneezing and coughing that involves visible mucus, loud farts (yes multiple), burbs and in your face two knuckles up nose picking. If you ever find yourself in the same position again (gee i hope not), employ one of the above. If really despereate two or more, heck why not all at once. I am sure it will scare off rival shopper.
ReplyDeleteI think you could have weilded the bolt, light sabre style in her general direction.
ReplyDeleteOr spat on the fabric. It would wash out when you got it home but I bet it would have made her back off.
You should gone all hysterical...screamed out "you touched my bosom", then told her you would be seeking legal advice if she did not back away imediatley!
ReplyDelete(Just have to say - that sounds so wrong I can't even pretend I am serious!
I like the nose picking to the second knuckle sujestion)