Monday, December 27, 2010

A crafting Christmas gift and a funny story

A couple of weeks ago Beth from SunnyGal Studio did a post on her fabulous new corduroy jacket. She used a velvet board (a.k.a. needle board) to do her pressing so the pile didn't get crushed. I had never heard of a velvet board, and since I have several cuts of velvet/corduroy in my stash that I am afraid to use because of pressing issues, was immediately intrigued. I hunted around the internet and at local fabric haunts. They are hard to find and super expensive. I did find one at Manhattan Wardrobe Supply in NYC that looked decent and was half the cost of the others on the internet, but still pricey at $75 plus shipping. Then when Justin asked me if there was anything sewing related I might like to have as a Christmas gift, I gave him the link. A week before Christmas the package came in the mail. Here's what they sent me:

Um, WHAT?!!! It's a piece of black velvet glued to a board. I suppose one might use this for displaying jewelry or something? It wasn't what I wanted at all and not what they had pictured online. But wait! Since it came in a paper envelope, it was bent. We paid $83 (with the shipping) for a piece of velvet glued to a bent piece of cardboard. And they don't take returns!!!

I called the company immediately and the salesgirl at MWS was really sweet and apologetic. She said I was shipped the wrong item; that they did carry a velvet pressing board and it is never sent in a paper envelope. They rushed me another one which arrived the day before Christmas:

It looks pretty fabulous, right? I love useful tools, no matter if they are power tools or sewing tools. Keep a lookout for some velvet garments coming soon.

Anyone else have a funny holiday story to share?
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16 comments:

  1. CennettaDecember 27, 2010 at 3:31 PM

    Great little story. I've sewn a few velvet and corduroy garments. Sadly, I do not own a velvet board. But have on occasion looked for one in the local fabric stores. Thanks for the link to MWS. Boy, are they expensive.

    Amanda, I'm looking forward to seeing the fabulous garments you'll make from velvet and corduroy.

    Happy holidays.
    C

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  2. HeleneDecember 27, 2010 at 4:06 PM

    So, what DID they send you? I mean, what is that 'piece of velvet glued to a piece of cardboard' thingy anyway?

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  3. MelissaDecember 27, 2010 at 4:24 PM

    Gosh, that would have given me a heart attack. Glad you got it squared away. I have wanted a needle board for some time, but as you know, they are so expensive.

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  4. VanessaDecember 27, 2010 at 4:50 PM

    I'm glad everything turned out ok! In the end, you ended up with a really nice gift!

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  5. gwensewsDecember 27, 2010 at 5:08 PM

    Whew-I'm glad you got that straightened out! Of all things to happen.

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  6. Beth (SunnyGal Studio)December 27, 2010 at 6:22 PM

    I am glad it worked out and they were so nice about it. You are going to get so much use out of that item. It is great to get a sewing tool that you know will last for years and years, can't wait to see what you create. :)

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  7. TanyaDecember 27, 2010 at 7:02 PM

    Yay, glad it all worked out! And to think I've been making due with a thick towel!

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  8. JuneDecember 27, 2010 at 9:26 PM

    Too funny! (But I bet it didn't seem that way at the time.) Glad they did right by you. Let us know if the board lives up to the hype!

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  9. EugeniaDecember 28, 2010 at 5:52 AM

    That's funny - your face must have been a picture when you opened it up! I'm so glad it got sorted out and I know that you're going to be producing some fabulous velvet garments!

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  10. ZegiDecember 28, 2010 at 6:21 AM

    Hurray! Someone else who will admit that crocks are awful. :)

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  11. MyraDecember 28, 2010 at 12:07 PM

    Great story and a greater, "Happy" ending! Looking forward to those upcoming garments!

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  12. AnonymousDecember 28, 2010 at 12:53 PM

    Glad you got everything straightened out! Let us know how it works -- is it worth the $83?

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  13. TasiaDecember 31, 2010 at 12:27 PM

    That is funny! So glad it got sorted out. I'd love to hear what you think of the velvet board and of course, look forward to gorgeous velvet garments in the new year! Happy New Year to you!

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  14. EmJanuary 1, 2011 at 2:33 PM

    What a nightmare!

    Em

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  15. a little sewingJanuary 2, 2011 at 8:01 PM

    Oh my goodness, I bet you needed Rolaids before the relief set in! I am eager to see what you make using your velvet pressing board.

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  16. amberJanuary 4, 2011 at 1:23 PM

    I'm glad it all worked out in the end, but how frustrating!

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