Seriously, how old is that tank? My old one is from my dad's garage sale pile.

That's a solid point from @cora628 about communities ruining things. It makes you wonder if the really angry fan bases are a sign of a deeper problem with the show or game itself. Sometimes the story might be built to make people fight, like with love triangles or unfair game rules. The guy in the shop was smart to link the bad online talk to the actual content. Maybe checking the fan mood first is a good way to avoid shows that are designed to be stressful.

Actually, that 7 yard figure is usually for the lining and fashion fabric combined. The fashion fabric alone for a simple gown might only be 4 or 5 yards. It really depends on the skirt style and train length. A ballgown with a long train can easily use 10 yards just for the top layer. Those old manuals are great, but modern fabric widths are often wider, which changes the math. Always do a quick mock-up with cheap muslin to check your own pattern's needs.

Grading feels like paying a lot for a number in a plastic case. @david_craig's book was already safe in that mylar, so the grade just confirmed what he already knew. A lot of that stuff is for people who want to sell, not for readers who just want to keep their books nice. The whole system can make people care more about the score than the actual comic. Keeping it simple in a bag and board has always worked just fine for preserving the story and art.

Ever have that happen? I set a timer now so my phone buzzes and gives me an easy out lol.