-it's official: the recession is in full swing, and people are spending less across the board...consumers and companies. boutiques and big & little retail stores appear to be offering huge discounts, advertising ginormous sales, moving their businesses to different (read: cheaper) areas of town, cutting back their opening hours, or even just plain going out of business. on that note, see this absolutely fascinating, in-depth, multi-part article about the ominous and sad shakeout that has been happening on the retail scene in new york city over the past several months (via new york magazine). i am seeing evidence of some of these trends in the city in which i currently reside (san francisco), and have noted the following (as i stroll my baby around downtown and window shop):

*generally, most stores seem kinda empty, or at least less peopled than they once were. of course, i cannot quantify this, it's just a feeling/obsevation. i have noticed more people lurking around discount tables and racks, however...

*department stores, major chain stores (like old navy, for instance), and even boutiques seem to be bogged down with tons of clearance items and are advertising big savings and steep discounts on top of discounts...

*h&m was handing out 20%+ off-one-item coupons this week, hoping to entice people to buy...

*peripherally related to fashion: i learned that a nice yarn store here in the bay area, artfibers, moved across the bay to oakland, in search of what i am sure is cheaper rent (they had a centralized location right downtown here in SF, i'm guessing they won't have the same foot traffic in their new digs)...

so, question time, addressed to you: what's happening on the retail scene where YOU live, as a result of the economic downturn? are stores closing, moving, or selling off big bunches of goods for little prices? are there any retail establishment whose demise you particularly lament? are any stores in your area enjoying an unlikely boon in this economically busted time in which we currently live? who's surviving in retail, or will survive? and why? care to posit?

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a whole bunch of quick and dirty (i have a backlog!):

-the amazing knit maven stephanie japel of glampyre, genius that she is, has come up with an easy triangular scarf pattern that was developed to help one use up those fun single skeins that seem to lurk around in one's stash, looking for a good use...it's called reclamation. LOVE THIS.

-knitter? fan of owls? check out this sweater pattern by needled that has owls encirling it's yoke. v. cute! (via craft:)

- i just recently learned about weekend designer, a pattern drafting blog. brilliant idea! according to said blog's about page, "most of the tutorials (posted on the blog) illustrate basic concepts in pattern-drafting or are patternless designs".

-i LOVE this little japanese-looking "grab bag" pattern from allpeoplequilt.com (via craft nectar and whip up) love the idea for using said little bag for little incidentals one picks up while shopping, particularly when going to the farmer's market, etc.

-here's a few more bag-making links for you: fat quarter tote by cicada daydream (via craft:), rag rug handbag (via whip up)

-the suburban queen passes on an inventive bit of knitting inspiration: a cardigan that isn't a cardigan at all, but rather, a long piece of knitting, buttoned in the front! what a superb idea!

-the observer (UK) has a series of how-to's online called make your own: designer clothes and accessories. amongst the gems on the site: viv westwood details how to make a dress and a how-to on how to recreate one of waistcoats from martin margiela's 2009 artisanal collection...(thanks, farpitz)

-casey of elegant musings passes on some helpful links on the subject of pattern grading (sizing)...here and here. good info to have at hand to help you when you find that perfect vintage pattern in a thrift, but it's not in your size...

-ethical style passes on some super smart vintage shopping tips from judy at atlantis home/jane at sea of shoes (they are mother & daughter)...

-how to make a very haute ruffle necklace, courtesy of morgan of panda head magazine, over at brightest young things...