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Had a funny one today. Definitely not a SC, but you can tell this fellow didn't know sewing. First he brings a bolt of the $6 Red Tag Vinyl (as in, plastic backed with flannel, the stuff you make table coverings out of) to the counter, asked me how much was there, asked if the price was for the whole thing. "No, sir, it's per yard." "That's too much!" he takes the bolt and goes back.
After a few customers, I have time to kill so I start putting away fabric. The gentleman is still looking around. He brings a bolt of nylon (like what umbrellas are made from) to me and says, "My wife wants me to pick up some cheap tan fabric to make toddler vests with. Will this work?" I told him that he really wanted something softer, that nylon would work for a windbreaker but not for a vest. That's what he wanted the vinyl for, too! He was just grabbing whatever bolt had tan-colored fabric without paying attention to whether it was something someone would want to wear!
I know a newbie when I see one, so I decided to have pity on him. I picked up a couple of tan calico bolts (calico is 100% cotton, used for quilting and sun dresses) and showed them to him. "This is the type of fabric you probably want. It's soft and comfortable, and it's $3.99 a yard." "That's still too much. How about burlap?" Mentally, I went
but didn't say it out loud. Instead I showed him the burlap, the type of fabric you wrap tree roots with, rough as sandpaper. Definitely not something you want to wear!!! He really had no clue!
Finally, we found a nice dark natural muslin fabric for $1.49 a yard, and he was happy with that. But holy moly, BURLAP for toddler clothing?!
After a few customers, I have time to kill so I start putting away fabric. The gentleman is still looking around. He brings a bolt of nylon (like what umbrellas are made from) to me and says, "My wife wants me to pick up some cheap tan fabric to make toddler vests with. Will this work?" I told him that he really wanted something softer, that nylon would work for a windbreaker but not for a vest. That's what he wanted the vinyl for, too! He was just grabbing whatever bolt had tan-colored fabric without paying attention to whether it was something someone would want to wear!
I know a newbie when I see one, so I decided to have pity on him. I picked up a couple of tan calico bolts (calico is 100% cotton, used for quilting and sun dresses) and showed them to him. "This is the type of fabric you probably want. It's soft and comfortable, and it's $3.99 a yard." "That's still too much. How about burlap?" Mentally, I went
but didn't say it out loud. Instead I showed him the burlap, the type of fabric you wrap tree roots with, rough as sandpaper. Definitely not something you want to wear!!! He really had no clue!Finally, we found a nice dark natural muslin fabric for $1.49 a yard, and he was happy with that. But holy moly, BURLAP for toddler clothing?!
The end result is predictably disastrous and strains marital harmony. He's confused and ultimately frustrated, she gets upset because 'he should have known!', and SOMEONE ends up sleeping on the couch for an indeterminate length of time. 
I write, my friend Red draws. Comments welcome. Leave them on their, or on my profile here.
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