I confess that I drove by yesterday. I just wasn't up to any possibility of a conflict. But, as I drove on, I was "refortified" and figured out exactly how I wanted to start the conversation and I turned around and gave it a try.
I asked if I could return a piece of fabric. The sales clerk said sure, as long as you haven't washed it. And, I said, well, I washed it and that's when the problem started. I showed her my color catchers and explained that the dye was unstable and the fabric would never stop bleeding. She called the manager and I explained it all again. And, the manager agreed to give me my money back. But, she was very hesitant and timid about it. I almost felt sorry for her. Anyway, she had the sales clerk measure the fabric...and pointed out I should have 5 yards and I pointed out I'd have some shrinkage. And, the sales clerk measured it and there was over 5 yards. 5.75 yards to be exact. And, I was like, that's a miscut. I really only thought I was getting 5 yards. Nobody thought that was funny except me.
So, we did the business and I walked out a happy customer. At the end, the manager said so you just didn't think it would stop bleeding? And, I said answered that I'd washed it four times and it sure didn't look like it was ever going to stop. I think she was worried she was going to have to explain that later.
Now, here's what I gleaned from my Kona research. I don't remember where I read it, but you can find it if you search for kona cotton bleeding. I mentioned two Kona's yesterday. There is Kona and there is kona. Kona with a capital K is a brand name manufactured by the Robert Kaufman company in the US. kona with a lower case k is an adjective, used to describe a cotton made in Pakistan...If I didn't get that right, it's cause I was working and reading at the same time.
Anyway, what the big box stores sell is often a lower case k. I didn't go check the bolt...it didn't seem the right time. But I intend to, the next time I'm in Hancock Fabrics.
I've gotten to the re-quilting phase of the Dresden Plate quilt. When I did the stability quilting along the sashing lines, I messed up this corner. So, when I quilted around the plate, it was off too. Now, it's time to put the straight lines in to form the corner, and it's my last chance to correct it.
When I quilted this the first time, the backing didn't hang over the edge of the frame. and the corner shifted on me and "hiked up" about a half inch. It was an obvious mistake. And, my thought at the time was, oh, I'll cut that extra fabric off. A half inch off one part of one side of a border. Like the judge won't notice. Granted, I was probably very tired of struggling with that corner at the time.
Anyway, it's fixed now and the quilting proceeds. I will say that picking out yellow thread from yellow fabric is a pain. Literally. It'll give a headache. I'd say "what was I thinking?" except that yellow thread is perfect in this quilt in every aspect...except error correction.
Everybody have a great Friday. Lane
5 comments:
Way to go! Not one to enjoy confrontation, I admire your courage -- well, first I admire your tenacity in washing the dang stuff four times!
Glad the store manager had sense enough to do the right thing and not stick to the store rules. Couple of lessons here for all of us: Wash fabric first; Be cautious about Big Box Store merchandise.
I have never brought Kona at Joann's or Hancock and now I am glad I didn't.
I buy other fabric there. Thanks for letting me know.
Good for you and the store manager. Hopefully they'll push back on the manufacturer and they'll put out a better product.
Thanks for the Kona/kona explanation. I didn't know. That info will save me some grief. Glad it worked out for you and that you had the tenacity to do it!
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