Whatever you’ve heard about New Yorkers not being nice, or that they are flat out rude, that is not correct information. Let me share three things that happened in the course of a single day here in the Great Big City:
1. The Scruffy Kids at the Resale Shop Welcomed Me To the Neighborhood
After fully unpacking and settling in, there were a few items of clothing that would not fit in this small apartment’s closets. We actually have kind of a lot of closet space, which is nothing short of luxurious, I know. Still, that weird, never-worn, neon-jacquard-leopard print blazer that sorta fit but not that well? That had to go, along with a couple pairs of shorts and a few dresses that never really worked too well. Off I went to a nearby resale shop, and I engaged with the scruffy kids behind the counter. Well! We had a blast! There was this crazy rapport right off the bat for some reason: I said something funny, they said something funny, and I’m selling my clothes and we’re talking about NYC vs. Chicago and it was just this delightful experience. When I left, we were all on a first-name basis. As I went out the door, the guy with the lip ring said, “Hey, welcome to the ‘hood!” And I was like, “Rock on!!”
2. The Lady Who Held the Door For Me When I Had a Big Box
There was a box. I had to go pick it up. It was huge and heavy — very huge and very heavy. There is a gate to our building. It is a heavy gate with a weird button lock that never works except on the third try. So there I am, balancing this big box, trying to get the code right and I finally do, but then I have real problems. Because I have to hold the box and open the door and get down the stairs. Well! Along comes this older lady and just comes right up and puts her friendly hand on the door to hold it for me and like we’d known each other for years, she goes, “There better be something prreeeeeetty good in that big heavy box!” and I’m like, “It’s quilts!” and she goes, “Well, that’s pretty good!” and I’m like, “Yeah!!” And that was that. (Well, then I took it up three flights of stairs and then that was that.)
3. The Fashion Designer Who Is Giving Me Fabric
Okay, so there’s this fashion designer. I met her when I was in NYC in 2008 for a month, doing the show here with the Neo-Futurists. I was at yoga, and this glamorous girl comes into the studio wearing this stunning cloak. I’m like, “That is a stunning cloak!” and she says, “I made it.” And she told me her name and I went to her website and she was a small operation but her cloak was still too much money for me to buy one. Well! Over the years, do you know what happened? That fashion designer has really gotten to be a big deal! I have seen her name in fashion magazines — big ones, like Elle and stuff! So the other day, I’m walking around the Lower East Side, slightly lost, and I see that this designer has her own storefront. I go in. She’s there. I’m like, “You do NOT remember me, no way, no possibility, but I did meet you and this was years ago and I just wanted to tell you congrats because I’ve seen you sorta rise through the thing, and I am a big fan!” We get to talking and do you know what happened next? She says, “It’s so cool you’re a quilter,” because I told her I’m a quilter, “And I wonder if you’d like these Pendleton wool scraps we have in the back. We were going to make makeup cases from them but it didn’t work out and I wonder if you’d want them.” So I signed a copy of my book and I’m going to take it over there tomorrow and pick up these big bags of wool — Pendleton wool — scraps!
Can you believe this place??
I love it here!
Faye
Another beautiful day for you! There’s so much to be grateful for; don’t ya’ think?
Mary Fons
Sure is, Faye!
Amy
That really does sound like an awesome day, especially those wool scraps. How exciting!
Taylor
I live in southwest Washingtin and there is a Pendleton weaving mill about 20 min from my house…. And I just recently found out they give free tours to view the dyeing, weaving, and processing– watch out cause here I come (this might actually top the tour of the Cadbury chocolate factory in England! 🙂 !. I love that Pendleton is all of a sudden becoming trendy and fashionable… Growing up in the northwest they’ve always been a familiar staple, but now everyone else is catching on. I’ve never been able to afford one if their blankets, but it’s definitely on my dream interior design list. Enjoy your scraps, they’re even better than Breyers (cream and sugar recipe, of course) . 🙂
Mary Fons
The wool! I am going to flip out!! I will eat it! 🙂
Taylor
I live in southwest Washington and there is a Pendleton weaving mill about 20 min from my house…. And I just recently found out they give free tours to view the dyeing, weaving, and processing– watch out cause here I come (this might actually top the tour of the Cadbury chocolate factory in England! 🙂 !. I love that Pendleton is all of a sudden becoming trendy and fashionable… Growing up in the northwest they’ve always been a familiar staple, but now everyone else is catching on. I’ve never been able to afford one if their blankets, but it’s definitely on my dream interior design list. Enjoy your scraps, they’re even better than Breyers (cream and sugar recipe, of course) . 🙂
penny evans
Please post pics of whatever you make with the Pendleton scraps
Mary Fons
I certainly will, Penny! That’ll be on the Facebook page for sure.
Heather K
I have toured the Pendleton woolen mills! And this reminds me that the next time I go home I need to take a detour and shop their remnants table!
Grace
And, that is why everyone wants to go to NYC! It really is the land of opportunity! And, like anything else – it is what you make. Treat people like you want to be treated.
Elaine
Your blogs are a breath of fresh air every day I read them. Thank you for being witty, honest , and you!
carla
I have a lead on purchasing of Pendleton Wool scraps from Santa Fe. I talked to a shop owner there about buying them but I didn’t know if I could really make a quilt from them or not. What do you plan to make with yours?
Mary Fons
You know, Carla, I’m not sure just yet. I’m picking up the scraps today, hopefully. That will dictate the project, of course, but I also have this yen to do some hand-piecing! I wonder if this is the opportunity…?? We’ll see. I also like the idea of a woolen BACK on a quilt. Is that even possible?? I shall research!