Sometimes, I Wish I Sewed!

Those of you who know me know I can sew on buttons, and sew up small rents in fabrics, depending on the fabric. But sew? No.
I remember suffering through sewing class in fifth and sixth grade. We made sleeveless 'shift' dresses: not exactly demanding, and mine came out all right although I didn't like the print I ended up choosing. But the tedium of sewing is what gets me: it seems that every couple of minutes I had to re-thread my needle because I had used up the prescribed 12-14 inches of thread the sewing instructor told us to use. And why did I have to baste a hem first, and then do the 'hem stitch?' Phooey! I could do just as well folding the material neatly and evenly and doing the hem stitch straight away.

Well, enough about my sewing skills: you get the picture. And I must say that I rarely wish I were a good seamstress--until just today.
I learned that a shop near me in Tunkhannock, PA has a new line of fabric in. The shop, Endless Mountains Quilts, specializes in quilts and quilting, as their name indicates. But they have expanded, and now sell all types of quality fabrics.
The fabric line they are getting in is--
wait for it, and sit down--
licensed DOWNTON ABBEY fabrics!
I spoke very briefly today with one of the sales people at the shop, and she said there are several lines within the overall fabric range: there's the Lady Sybil line based on her colors and style and fabrics, and I believe the Lady Mary line, the Lady Edith line, and possibly Countess Cora and the Dowager Countess as well! Maybe there are even fabrics for menswear.
If I sewed, I could make my own Downton Abbey style Edwardian clothing! I don't, and I've had great success with the outfits I've ordered from Recollections online. They are more than wonderful.
Maybe they should get their hands on some of this licensed DA fabric???

The 'grand reveal' as the shop is calling it, is THIS SUNDAY, November 17 in the afternoon from 3-5:30 p.m. and I plan on going. Not that I'm going to suddenly learn to sew or anything, but I want to see the fabrics, and see what they've come up with.
Apparently, the woman who has developed the range met with the DA people to be sure the fabrics were authentic and accurate. And since it's licensed, I imagine the new fabric range has the blessing of ITV and Julian Fellowes and whomever else is involved; that's good, because we want to avoid the 'Downton Abbey Jewelry' debacle that took place a couple years back.

So any of you in the Northeast PA area who are DA fans, try to set aside some time this Sunday to drop in at the Endless Mountains Quilts shop in Tunkhannock. It's in Tioga Plaza where the CVS and the Hallmark Store are. The woman I spoke with said they're even having tea and scones on Sunday...yum!
Maybe I'll see you there!
~DLC