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pumpkin eater
Beignet - photo from website
I spent a lot of time this weekend working on a muslin (yep, only a muslin) of this skirt.  I love it!  I think it will answer my desire for a straight skirt.  Monday morning - after not finding the answers in my fitting books and feeling ready to sell the entire studio - machines, fabric, patterns, notions - on ebay.  I finally walked up to my neighbors.  See her mother, lives with them, and used to draft her own patterns, sewed for a living and now does nothing.

It felt horrible and rude - since they've lived there for about 4 years and while we've met the "kids" we'd never me the mother.  But - nothing ventured, nothing gained. 

I went up and sat with A for about 45 minutes, she measured my waist and my hips and told me where I was "fullest."  Then she told me how to change the pattern and to sew it up in muslin again.  She asked that I keep her advised of how it turned out - so I will do just that.  I haven't made the (simple) alteration yet - but that's what football is for, right?  So if not tonight, Thursday for sure!

(oh and while I felt like a heel for finally introducing myself because I could use A's help and experience, she enjoyed herself, said it felt good to be needed and asked me to come back again.) 

14 comments :

  1. Gaylen - how wonderful is that! I'm glad you had someone right there who could help you out...seriously I would go to her again especially since she said the part about it was good to be needed!

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  2. A soon to be new skirt and a new friend. Sounds like a good day.

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  3. Yay for meeting the neighbor and making a new sewing friend... and for making her happy to be needed! =)

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  4. Good deal. The neighbor gets to put her experience to work, you get needed advice and you bot get a new social contact. Win-win!

    Can't wait to see the results.

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  5. I love the Beignet I made last winter, but it still sits unfinished because of all. those. buttonholes. I'll probably be doing some more this fall/winter too!

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  6. What a wonderful outcome. Do show A your houndstooth skirt, just the thing to talk about over a nice cup of tea or coffee.

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  7. Good for you! She probably felt good to meet a kindred creative soul to talk sewing with and to be needed. Can't wait to see your progress!

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  8. She probably did enjoy the time spent with you. :) Glad you were able to enjoy each other's company for a bit.

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  9. Glossing right over all the sewing stuff, I'm going straight for the TOLD YA' SO! We all need to be needed, especially women.

    I never do well with skirts with buttons up the front. I think it's these powerful thighs... there's just too much to the front?

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  10. You're so lucky that you found someone so competent! Hooray for you, taking the initiative to get assistance. And hooray for making the nice old lady feel needed and relevant, too!

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  11. i love that you had someone nearby to help you with this. you got the help you need and you made an old woman feel valued.

    you're only a heel if you don't go visit her again. bake her up some pumpkin bread and go be neighborly.

    good luck with the non-muslin version. can't wait to see YOUR pictures!

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  12. I bet she was delighted to be able to help you out. We had an elderly neighbor and when I was trying to figure out how to knit my mother sent me next door to have "Doris" show me how to read a pattern. She has long since passed away, but she sure did me a good turn.

    I too am delighted that football season has arrived. Go Irish!!!!!!!

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  13. Wonderful to meet someone new and make her feel needed as well as helping you :). A good visit.

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  14. That's wonderful! Not only did you meet your neighbor but both of you benefited! With sewing as a common bond I'm sure the two of you will spend more time together in the future. A new sewing friends - heavenly!

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I appreciate you coming to see me. It may take me a bit to publish your comment - but I will get to them by the end of every day. If you leave a way for me to get back to you, I will. Thanks for taking the time to comment and share your opinions. g