Sleeves


I never quite feel good enough to sew for other people. And I definitely don't think I'm good enough to take a garment and alter it in any way. On Sunday when a girl at church asked me if I could add sleeves to a sleeveless dress for her sweet 16 birthday party, I was a little hesitant (because of my lack of skills) but told her to bring the dress on Wednesday for me to look at it. With just her description and not having seen the dress, I could completely envision the dress with and without sleeves.

When I got a phone call from the mother a few days later (stating the party was Friday, tonight), I decided I would pick up the dress Wednesday morning and do some mock-up sleeves to show them that night.

Thankfully, both Spenser and Sawyer fell asleep on the way home from town and I was able to put together three sleeve choices. We went with the cap sleeve, in matching black organza, with elastic in the cuff. (The white elastic I have actually showed through the organza so I used a navy blue hair rubber band instead.) I didn't think I would be able to do it, but, with a prayer in my heart, I did it.

She picked up the dress last night and she seemed very pleased with it.

* * * Other random bits * * *

The school nurse called me bright and early yesterday morning (9:20-ish) telling me she suspected Mason of having pinkeye. The night before his eye was pink, but I checked him in the morning and they were as white as normal. I explained that to her, but out of caution she asked me to pick him up. When I got to the school, she agreed that it was probably cold/allergy as he was coughing and sneezing. Underneath his lower eyelids was completely red. They were not like that an hour before because I had checked. His eyes seem fine, but he is coughing more today so he is home with me. He's a good boy so it's nice to have him here.

* * * *

I have a confession and an apology to make: The afternoon of my April Fools prank, I had a memory flood into my mind. Twelve years ago I had just found out I was pregnant with Taylor (#1). Because of a previous miscarriage, my doctor told me that as soon as I found out I was pregnant again to call him and he would put me on progesterone. The day I called him was April 1st. I was at work and awaiting his return phone call and, wouldn't you know it, he called while I was at lunch in the lunchroom with others nearby. When I got off the phone I explained to a friend and co-worker that I was pregnant. She immediately snickered and said, "Oh, right. April Fools!" To which I immediately replied (and here is where I now eat my words), "I would never joke about something like that." Yes, I actually said those words. So, Jen, I doubt you read this, but I apologize. Apparently I do joke about things like that. It only took six children to make it funny.

Comments

christy said…
who's the dress for, laura? it looks cute. good job. lucky it was just the sort of dress that it could be done easily. i hate it when people buy completely strapless dresses and want me to make sleeves b/c it needs the rest of the bodice too, and black organza's not hard to come by but many other fabrics would be impossible to get a match.
Anonymous said…
you are great. Glad the Young Woman decided to do sleeves! and you are the best when it comes to making clothing! don't know why you doubt yourself. ME
Unknown said…
Wow! You did a super job adding the sleeves to the dress! Really! It looks like it was supposed to have sleeves all along!

And you are so funny, eating your words TWELVE years later!
Anonymous said…
I was just thinking that before I read the last part of your post ... after six kids it is easier to joke about it.

That dress is lovely. Perfect for a sweet 16 girl who is a proper lady. And you did an awesome job on the sleeves. I too get very nervous doing anything for anyone else.
misschris said…
Super job on the sleeves, Lera. I could have been chicken. Especially with organza. That stuff is slippery!

When, exactly, did you have time to do this yesterday? ;)
Anonymous said…
Hugs to you, my friend! I hope you and everyone else at your house if feeling better. Have a good weekend!

And your last line made me laugh out loud.
Katie Jean said…
It looks like you did a great job! I'm not sure I could have done that, clothing always intimidates me!
Anonymous said…
Well done on making the dress special at such short notice. I hope it made the girl's evening knowing she looked so pretty.
It's amazing what can happen with a prayer. One of mine was for cord- preferably co-ordinating with yellow initialled P.E. bags for school the following morning. We had 3 adoptive children staying with us at the time so 5 total. There was so much that needed doing, so I had no time to go into town. That afternoon walking the dogs I found a length of yellow cord tangled in a hedge by the canal. It was perfect. I still have some of it left over even now. It was a time in our lives when we were surviving on miracles like that.
Bonus Mom said…
What a Great job! The dress would look silly without sleeves. It looks like it was meant to be that way :)
Emily said…
We can always trust Lera to come up with a winning solution! Nice job done on adding the sleeves!
Great work. The sleeves look like it was there when the dress was bought.

Hope Mason is ok now.
hooli said…
Oh my, that April Fool's memory is hilarious. You are so fun to read!

Also, that dress is beautiful. It looks very Pride and Prejudice-ish.
Amanda Jean said…
the dress looks AMAZING Lera! how nice of you to alter it for her.

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