Michigan - ALL CITIES
Catawampus: [kat-uh-wom-puhs] Chiefly Midland and Southern U.S. adjective, sometimes spelled cattywampus
1. askew; awry.
2. positioned diagonally; cater-cornered.
consignment adjective
1. the perfect word to describe a clothes hanger with one end sticking up above other hangers while a pair of pants, jeans or shorts are dangling from the other.
Catawampus is a fun word to say and it’s the perfect word to describe those off-kilter hangers with pants awkwardly hanging from one end. Too often, the item hanging on those hangers will continue falling down, even after volunteers and shoppers try to fix them. Shoppers overlook them as they scan down the rack of clothing because it takes more effort to examine those items. They can also get lost in the rack. Here are five easy steps to keep your pants from getting all cattywampus.
1. Fold the small area between the waistband and the pockets over the top part of the hanger and pin through it instead of pinning through the waistband. Not only is this an easier way to pin through the thick fabric, it keeps your pants hanging neatly on the rack.
2. Use a zip tie through the middle belt loop and around the neck of the hanger to keep the pants centered on the hanger in addition to safety pins on the sides. Garments won’t slide to one side or the other.
3. When pinning at the waistband, attach safety pins about ⅓ of the way in from each side. When you pull on one side of the pants’ waistband, the other side should reach the neck of the hanger before the safety pin on that side can reach the bottom. If it doesn’t, move the pins in just a little bit more until the pants can’t slide to one side or the other.
4. If you’re using wire hangers, bend up the corners to prevent pants from sliding off to one side.
5. Feed the pants’ belt loops through the ends of the hanger. You can also use a safety pin to securely reinforce the pants to the hanger.
Not only will your pants hang securely, they’ll look neater. That means they’ll stand out more to shoppers and be more likely to sell. Bonus: Your sale’s volunteers will really appreciate the fact that they don’t have to keep fixing your pants.
About the Author
Elizabeth Renfroe has a passion for all things consignment sale-related. She enjoys coordinating the Children’s Market Sale at First United Methodist Church, Jacksonville, Alabama.