Wednesday, December 11, 2013

Bye Bye Simplicity :(

I came across this disturbing message on the Fabricland website a few days go:


So, no local place to purchase Simplicity patterns from in the future.  I have to admit to being a bit of a pattern-aholic and whether I would like any new patterns or not, the fact that they will no longer be available locally, is rather a shame. I know that they can be purchased online (complete with extortionate postal charges) - but where is the instant gratification of that?  No scouring through the patterns books and finding a design that I 'can't live without', or rushing out to get a pattern that I had previously rejected, but having seen it on another sewing blogger, my wardrobe is incomplete without it.

WalMart used to sell fabric and patterns, but there was a big clear out a few years ago, and they only sell limited supplies and a few pre-cut home-dec and quilting fabrics.  So that was the only other avenue open.  I wonder - is Canada such a backward nation of sewists and seamstresses that no-one wants to stock sewing patterns?

Oh well, it is what it is . . . . . the only upside is that the current patterns are being sold off very cheaply, and I picked up these 6 at the weekend:


I really enjoy making little shell tops and have made a number of Sorbetto's.  I thought that the first two patterns, (1886 & 1806) would give me some great alternative options.  1616 has a great selection of summer skirts in both knit and woven fabrics.  I rather like the hip yoke - very cute.

Now I know that you are looking at 2482 and wondering if I have lost my senses, but let me tell you, I live in a place where the temperatures drop to -30c with great regularity during the winter, and snuggling up in a dressing gown/house-coat (I've got some great animal print fleece!  Ha!) would be glorious.  I also like the shorter version as a quick jacket to wear on warmer days.

1918 & 1653 are part of my master plan for the New Year - details to follow on January 1st!!

So there we go, unless I am holidaying in the US, or Simplicity has a great sale on with reduced postage (and I can wait 4-6 weeks for delivery), there will not be any Simplicity pattern for me for some time . . . . unless anyone has any suggestions????

8 comments :

  1. Oh that is why they were on sale. I ran into Fabricland on the weekend and I was surprised that they were allowing customers to go in the Simplicity, New Look drawers on their own and that they were priced at $2.00. I also heard rumors of bankruptcy but I haven't seen anything recently on-line about it. Hmmm, hope they're okay. I would hate to see another fabric store bite the dust.

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    1. Ugh! That would be a nightmare. I do find that they sell a lot of overpriced 'tat', but I can pick up Bemberg lining for $5/m, and I have had some great '70% off' fabrics. I love the convenience - if they go bump, there is only one apparel fabric store in Calgary - and that is very expensive :(

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  2. Well if you get desperate I can go to my Joann's here to buy what simplicity /new look that you need...and mail it to you.

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  3. So sorry.. I love going and looking at the patter books, to pick out a pattern and take it home with me....I do order old patterns on ebay and Etsy.. but that's not the same..

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  4. This is terrible news (I am not being sarcastic!). John Lewis was the only place that had old fashioned pattern books (about half an hour from where I live) in our area, and it stopped stocking them a couple of years ago, so I am an internet shopper for patterns now, too. I have found a couple of UK sites where the postage isn't too prohibitive (for packages within the UK), I really hope you can find something similar in Canada. Sewing without Simplicity/New Look patterns just wouldn't be the same!!

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  5. I caught wind of it in late September and thought that was awful they were discontinuing Simplicity. I do hope they aren't going bankrupt as that will leave us with no garment fabrics in our area. It means having to travel 4 to 5 hours to the coast (pay a toll to cross a bridge) to get garment fabrics. UGH!!

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  6. I am coming over the border on the 30th of this month for a ski holiday. If you want I will go to JoAnn's here and get the patterns you want and mail from a Canadian Post Office. My email is becky (at) mckee n t (dot) com

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