I received a panicky call tonight to make repairs on a special flag that had a grommet pulled out. I happened to have a fabric punch & grommet kit on hand and with the help of my assistant and inspector, I was able to make it better than new (added two new for a total of five replaced on the doubled-over edge binding). On the way home I realized our family had more than one flag story and maybe I should share the origin of the annual flag display with my Pixie family since it's become a tradition for the next two generation.

It seems that once upon a time, long long ago (19mumble-mumble) with the help of the GI Bill, I bought my first home and had erected a 17 ft. flag pole the previous fall. Those many years ago on this very date I was practicing at a local warm-up station called (would you believe) "Kilbain's" for St. Patrick's day. Over the bar hung the centerpiece of the permanent decor, a 'seasoned' Irish flag. At that moment I had an euphony and it became clear St Paddy's day wouldn't be able to come until I had an Irish flag flying atop my proud pole. :wobble:

I was just able to make my way to a nearby shopping center with a fabric store before their late closing and the elderly ladies were thrilled to see me stagger in. When I told them I just wanted material for an Irish flag, they nodded with this numb look on their face. .......... It is beyond me why anybody would hire people that didn't have physic abilities to wait on customers. I could see they needed help ............. "Just a stripe of green, white and orange material............. and the stuff that goes around the edge............ and some heavy stuff for the clip side." After showing me the flimsy material not suited for making a flag, they brought out the good stuff and wanted to know how much 10 ounce cotton duct I wanted? .... "A stripe of each" Now their 'yard' is not 36" but 42" wide. I could see they needed more help.

After some scribbling on paper bags, it was obvious I needed 3, 42" stripes which made a total of 126" long flag. If the width of a flag is 2/3 the length, they had to be 84" long. After chopping and mumbling and bagging and taking all my money, they sent me out the darkened store with my flag material, 336" of piping (the stuff that goes around the edge) and 84" of binding (the heavy stuff for the clip side), and locked the door.

(excuse the cell phone pic quality of the inspector assessing the situation)

Attached Images

GrommetRepair.jpg (119.4 KB, 270 views)

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