Our Joann's has the table with the groove in it. It lines up with the yard stick stuck on the table. Edey

Thanks for bringing this up. I thought I was the only one getting cheated at the fabric stores these days. It drives me crazy that they never actually manage to cut a straight or even clean line at the chain stores where I live and then the measure it down to the centemeter on top of that. I have been tempted to ask about the cutting policy but don't really want to get kicked out of the store and embarrass my kids.

I remember that machine. They had them at Hesteds and Woolworths when I was little. I loved to watch them measure and cut fabric. My mom was always careful to watch to see if they cut it right. The grooves in the table came next. That was cool to but the tearing of the fabric drove me nuts. i would have to ask them to cut it not tear it. I was not always popular there.

I never did understand the logic of tearing the fabric because it seemed to distort it, beside having such a ragged edge. Yeah, it's fast but what's the rush with cutting it? It only takes a few seconds more.  Edey

Did you ever locate one of these machines or find out what they are called.  I am in the market to purchase one and I have no idea what they're called or where to locate one.  Any help would be greatly appreciated.

As I read all the messages after Edey's original message, I remember fond memories of going to the fabric store with my mom.  She is an excellent seamstress and has been for over 40 yrs.  We would spend hours in the store looking at patterns and picking out fabric.  I'm lucky to have such a talented mom who has passed her sewing abilities on to me.  I'll never measure up to her but atleast I can sew clothes well enough to wear in public.  My 17 yr old son can also sew on a button.  How many other 17 yr olds can say that these days?

I never did locate one, not even one on e-bay as an antique collectible. I wonder where they all went. Edey

I remember those too.  I also remember the service!  Have you tried to find anything lately that isn't on the "corporate" list of  acceptable items that they stock?  I had to go to a specialty store to order just plain linen fabric to sew -- the kind without anything synthetic and not a blend.  When I asked at our Joanne's they said that if they didn't have it they couldn't order it at any price!  She said they have what they have -- period.  When I asked if she had a suggestion where I could go she said try the internet.  

 Have you asked any of them for suggestions in matching or putting two fabrics together?  They know even less.  Remember the lady who could also show you the outfit that was hanging in the store that she had sewn?  I agree the service isn't there.

 I also remember KMart like the other poster -- luncheonette, pets and fish, arts and crafts, and the best stationary department.  Have you tried to buy stationary lately?  No one in the free world must write letters anymore but me.  I miss the wonderful papers and designs.  I loved to sit and write letters and notes.  I guess that has all gone the way of the seamstress at the fabric store.  The last one I saw was a small sewing store in Charles City, Iowa -- downtown on main street -- a wonderful man ran the store.