The Other Half Of My Week

Since I promised the bride a picture of my dress when it was finished, I thought I would just go ahead and put it here for the world to see. I confess, I like it fine, especially on the size 10 dress form. Unfortunately, I take up a bit more of the fabric, so that the skirt doesn't pleat as nicely as it does in the picture. But then again, that dummy is at least 8" shorter than me, so I suppose I am entitled to the extra girth. Also, the glitter doesn't come out in the picture--it sparkles very nicely, without being "in your face--look at all those sequins!"

The jewelry became an issue when I put on my lovely white gold and diamond pendant, and it hung down inside the neck of the dress. What's a gal to do? I located a long, long strand of pearls, and it wraps around my neck 6 times, so staying above the cowl front. Yes, yes, if you blow up the picture and count, it goes around DD's (dress dummy's) neck seven times. She's not a REAL person with a stickie-outie belly, and a generous derriere. She also has no bust. HA! Well, see you all at the wedding--I'll be the one dressed like DD.

How I Spent My Summer Vacation--Cont'd

I've been in the sewing room for the past few days, catching up with what needs to be finished for the big wedding, coming up next weekend. All the mulling I did over cutting out my dress paid off, since it fit very nicely, and went together without all the do-overs that often plague any seamstress. The fabric is covered with glitter, and I did not think it would benefit from the extra handling that mistakes entail, and there is still enough attached so that I will be sparkly enough.

Next came the "blue fairy dress". It looks large to me, but should fit perfectly, since it was the same pattern that I used a couple of weeks ago for the flowered dress (OMG--Something Went Right For A Change!). This didn't go together as smoothly as the flowered dress, though. I had to recut the front bodice, and the skirt front, since my iron melted parts of the chiffon, and had to go buy more chiffon, since I had forgotten to add the extra inches for the deep hem. I can go buy a new iron, but to get the brain to work isn't as easy. At least they still had a piece of the fabric. How do you like it, Gracious? Is it twirly enough for the dance floor?

So, now all that is left to do is make 85 little wrapped boxes of chocolates, and 20 welcome bags for the out of town guests. And get myself to Rochester

Necessity's Ungapatchka

A while back I was intrigued by a listing on our library schedule that simply read "Dollinks". I asked the lady behind the desk what that meant, and she told me that it was a doll club that met once a month in the meeting room, and that they always seemed to be having way too much fun. Wow--I make dolls! I like fun! Sounds like I should check it out. Well, I did, and they took me in, and now I too am having way too much fun! I confess, it is a treat to be among a group of fabriholics--to be able to speak of buttons, and trims, and different brands of stuffing to someone whose eyes brighten up, rather than glaze over. The club's official name is "Long Island Cloth Dollinks". Our creations are made by hand, and from cloth. The long and short of it is that we all have way more of these ribbons and fabrics than we should, so the group started the "Ungapatchka Table" each month. (Ungapatchka is a Yiddish word that means way too much, or over the top fussy.) It is an opportunity to bring in whatever you feel you should no longer own, and let the other members have at it. I do try to be on the contributing end of this arrangement, rather than the acquiring end, but everybody knows how it goes with "holics"...

Yesterday was the August meeting, and I spied a bag of yarn coming out of the tote bag. I made my way around the table, and snagged it for myself. Or rather, for my daughter Necessity. Imagine my amazement when I read the tags, and realized it is Japanese Noro, in large enough quantities that could make something nice. The Dollink who brought it in said that somebody had given it to her--it was a too large, unfinished sweater, plus some leftovers, and that the she was never going to do anything with it. Well, Yay! Somebody's Ungapatchka is somebody else's treasure find! Here is the picture Necessity--come and get it and enjoy! And thank you Barbara N!

Where Am I--What Day Is it? Or "What I Did On My Summer Vacation"

I must confess, we squeezed every drop out of the last two plus weeks. So much so that I am a little dazed now that most of the major commitments are out of the way. We drove up to New Hampshire to visit for a couple of days, then swung on down to Cape Cod for a few more days in the sun and sand. Came home, did the laundry, repacked the trusty wheeled clothing conveyor, and set off for the airport, so that we could get to a wedding in Iowa. We stayed a few extra days, since Iowa is not a regular stop on places we frequent, and unless we have a very good reason for returning, we may never pass that way again. Shall I hum along on that one?

We got home two nights ago, and after a final check of the accommodations, made ready for the 12 ladies coming for a two day doll workshop with Barbara Willis, who was in from California to teach classes to other dollmakers from Manhattan, and Long Island. It was warm in the dining room (it's August, for heaven's sake), and they all brought their sewing machines and tote bags full of stuff to stitch. They went their way around dinner time today, and all that remains is a doll club meeting tomorrow, and playing church on Sunday morning. I guess that leaves Sunday afternoon free. Anybody want to join in this craziness?