Read Good Books - Inspiration for Life!

I love to read...it ties with sewing these days - when I don't need more clothes, and sewing which has turned into my work. I escape with reading - and God speaks to my heart through good Christian writers. I've discovered 2 new favorites these last few months...Robert Whitlow and now Terri Blackstock. They join Neta Jackson and Karen Kingsbury in my list of favorites. Both write mysteries (hey - I loved Nancy Drew as a young girl..) that challenge the problems of life - especially suffering - and face it head-on with God's word. No Pollyanna stories here - but true life, displayed in all its ugliness, hurt, and consequences of bad decisions - held up against the lives of the characters who know God through the life of Jesus...who know the Bible and let it live in and through their lives.

I praise God for these Christian writers and the others He has yet for me to discover. The lives of their characters are growing me - enriching my life as I think God planned all along when He gave this talent and this insight to these writers.

My church library has offered all this to me - and I'm very, very grateful for it. Reading stops my brain from working - and many days, that is just what I need.

I'm OFFENDED - Michael Jackson is NOT the King the first song played at his funeral was written to honor!

OK - like the rest of the world - I'm watching the Michael Jackson funeral on TV ...
I'm crying in sadness for this apostacy...
"Soon and very soon we are going to see the King" - sung for Michael Jackson!????
This song was written in honor of my Lord, and Saviour - the ONLY KING worthy of praise - God's son, Jesus the Christ.
The very, very sad thing is that our society has been so tricked by the evil one - that we conflict such a wonderful Christian Ballad for this human-made king. When will we learn? I can see God crying...

However, I do see that Michael Jackson did grow the God-given talent that he was blessed with to the fullest and it has blessed the world. That is a model we are all well-advised to follow. ANd WOW - could he ever dance!

The message of love and caring that some of his songs send is the one that we all need to embrace. In the end, however, it seems to me - in my humble opinion - that Michael let himself, or allowed others to let himself get in the way. I just fear that his fans have made him into an idol, a 'god' that - perhaps - he never wanted to be.

I do pray that he knew Jesus and is living in everlasting peace that seemed to elude him on this earth.

Update & Ramblins'...Death of Rich & Famous

Back from Cincinnati Show with my A#1 helper, Cyndi - what adventures we have!!!
Conclusion: Shows are HARD WORK!!! Packing - unloading - setting up booth - unpacking, setting product - selling - teaching - sleeping/eating in strange places -un-setting booth - packing - packing car - travelling - unloading - re-setting merchandise so I can fill orders.....only to do a repeat of all of the above at end of next week.

Sew...tell me WHY I EVER thought we could jump into taping the new DVD about creating 2 jackets the day after we get back???? Craziness!!!

Sometimes, God stops us in our tracks for a reason! Wow - am I ever grateful...no reason to give you all the 'exciting' details - but suffice to say that the message was clear - NOT NOW! Let's just say that safety is #1 - and putting family first is what it's all about.

SEW...the DVD about creating 2 jackets - from beginning to end is on HOLD until the time seems right - and REASONABLE!


Meanwhile....just found out that the just-delivered 1000 professionaly-done DVD's Ultimate Edition Version 2 on Creative Sweatshirt Jacket that we just got in in time to sell in Cincinnati are faulty - the pdf portion is missing! That mystery will be solved today and of course - a correction made. Everyone who purchased from me in Cincinnati - PLEASE get in touch with me so that I can get you a new, correct copy! Again - God at work to discover this before I sold too many......

Ramblins....
I hate the bathroom facilities in public places! How lazy are we anyway???? I mean really - I can't use my little fingers to:
1. Flush when I'm good and ready...if I wanted to sit on a bidet - I'd like to select it myself...really!
2. Push the soap lever so I get the soap for washing hands...that automatic thing just dribbles soap onto the counter - what a waste!
3. Turn on the faucet to use it as long as I need: no more, no less
4. And this one REALLY gets me - feeling like an utter FOOL waving my dripping wet hands in front of the paper towel dispenser to get out a towel to dry...

Anyone out there agree???

And - sorry, but I'm just not 'torn up' regarding the death of Michael Jackson. Yea - I liked some of his music, and I certainly think he was a talented dancer. However, the lesson I wish would be being made clear regarding his death - and that of the other rich & famous lately is that no matter how much money you make - no matter how famous you become - in the end, the only thing that really matters is if you have a personal relationship with God through his son, Jesus. It's not my place to judge whether Michael, Farrah, Ed...are in heaven or hell, but it all just makes me that much more happy that I know that I DO know that my faith in Jesus will lead me to an everlasting life that knows a joy far, far greater than anything I can ever attain in this world. THAT gives me peace beyond measure...and I pray it does for you as well.

Still Wearin' It Contest Entries

From Debbie:

I made the white chenille jacket either 11 or 12 years ago and it remains one of my favorite things I've ever sewn. I still love lots of things I sew, but this jacket is just an ongoing favorite even more than 10 years later. I had to get rid of a lot of things I made 10+ years ago because I'm happy to say that I lost a lot of weight and they don't fit anymore - in a good way! I've kept the weight off for about 6 years now. But this jacket is loose fitting and can be worn still. I used four layers (if I remember correctly) of white inexpensive muslin and sewed bias lines every 1/2 inch or so. I chevroned some areas as well. Before sewing I layered colored cotton cutouts for the flowers, stems and leaves on the front and back, stitching through them with the muslin. I then cut through every layer between the stitching lines except the bottom-most layer, leaving that as the anchor base. All seams and edges are covered with bias tape for a finished look. I then washed and dried the jacket and it fluffed up to create the pretty texture and watercolor look of the flowers. I added an unusual button a friend bought me on a trip she took and some twisted rattail cording for the closure. It is warm without being too heavy and gets comments most of the time I wear it. I have since made many other chenilled items, but I just love this jacket the most. I recently (last week) made a new chenille jacket, this time from rayon, and used 3 layers, cutting through two of them. It is drapier and lighter weight. I also left the seams exposed and trimmed them so they fluffed and blend in nicely with the rest of the jacket. The edges of the new jacket are sewn with contrasting bias strips - one on the wrong side and two on the top side, rather than finished with folded bias tape. This way the edges have the fluff as well. It was much easier! I will continue to make bias chenille items but will probably not do so much channel stitching and cutting as in the past, but rather play with the bias strips of fabric instead. It's just faster and easier and has more room for flexiblity and creativity.

Debbie

4:18 PM

STILL Wearin' It Contest-Win $50 Gift Certificate

Do you have some garments you've sewn that just STAY in your wardrobe??? Well...I have!
Left Photo: July 1979 with my newborn son
Right Photo: June 2009 with my #1 Grandson

Not exactly the same top - but made at the same time, from the same fabric - I KNOW the Striped T-Shirt I'm wearing today when we snapped that right photo was worn - has been worn every season since 1979! My hubby won't let me forget it every time I wear it, actually!

Construction Techniques
At the time I made these 2 knit tops - it was a beginning venture into sewing with knits - quite a different experience from the silky long sleeve, cuffed, bow-tied collar blouses and lined wool jackets and skirts I was making clients in my dressmaking business. I also KNOW the knit is a nice cotton/poly interlock from Leiter's Designer Fabrics. Leiter's was top quality fabric that was sold by independent delaers like myself in 'showings' from samples of the fabric that traveled around between us reps.
The seams are constructed WAY pre-serger! (Didn't acquire a serger until 1987 or so!) A very narrow (.5) width zig zag of about 2.0 long stitched the seams, and then I zig zagged the seam allowances together with a zig zag of about 1/5 wide and 2.0 long. 100% metrosene polyester thread - I remember that as well. Not one of the seams has popped either!
The neckline was finished by cutting a cross grain strip of the stripe about 2" wide and stitching it onto the right side of the top - binding the edge towards the inside, then stitching in the ditch - and OH MY GOSH - leaving the raw edge on the inside! THAT was monumental to me at the time - a RAW edge!
It doesn't really appear - nor do I remember, cutting the ribbing any smaller than the neckline - but then the neckline was a pretty deep scoop anyway. Those techniques came later.
Hems are not stabilized in any way - and just turned up and stitched with straight stitching.
For techniques I'd use today, click HERE - a FREE INFO page at my website.
Find more valuable FREE INFO HERE.

Sew it occurred to me this would be a fun sharing/contest topic! If YOU made something long ago - say even 10 years ago - that still resides in your wardrobe and that you occassionally wear, please share about that as an entry!

Here is how the contest will work...

1. Comment on this post below with YOUR story! Include what you made, and why it is still in your wardrobe. Include techniques you used to stitch it, and what you'd change technique-wise if you made it again today of the same type of fabric. Be sure to sign your post with your first name. Please know that I have this Blog set up for me to approve all posts before they show up - so don't expect your comment/entry to show immediately.

2. Send me YOUR photo - to my email at londa@londas-sewing.com. I will copy your comment and add your photo to the CONTEST Blog Post so that all can see/enjoy/learn from your post. I don't expect you to have a photo of when you first made it - but for sure take a photo now - even if it is only of the garment - and not on you.

3. I need a minimum of 10 entries in order for this 'contest' to be operative, so tell your friends!

4. Winner will be decided by vote of my 'Customer Advisory Board' - of 5 people (which includes me!)

PRIZE is $50 Gift Certificate for the winner.
ALL participants will will win some type of prize!

Enjoy the memories!

Ramblin'

Been enjoying watching the #1 4 year old Grandson while his Mommy and new hubby are on their honeymoon. Tomorrow is the last day - Boo Hoo!!! Actually, haven't had quite as much time as I'd thought to 'do the parks', swim, etc., as with us both at Vacation Bible School every morning this week, then he's super tired in the afternoon - then I have business to tend to while he sleeps...

Disturbing to me - our local "Tea Party" group has to come up with $450 to cover meeting in a public park on July 5. Insurance, and a permit. Doesn't seem 'American' to me! Grrrr.......

Grating on my ears... "You Guys" every other word out of the mouths of SO many! Waitresses...teachers...young and old! Gheesh - if you're talking to children, call them respectfully 'Boys and Girls' or 'Children'!!! Honestly, when I am served in a restaurant and NOT addressed 'you guys', I compliment the waitress/waiter and tip them MORE! Anything repetitive in speech just says 'un-educated' to me, though I know that is not really the case. Just is a supreme example of 'lapsing' into the common, the fad, and total lack of propriety and respect. That, along with super casual clothing - come on, jeans at a wedding??? - it just is indicative of where our society is going. It makes me sad, just sad. For more 'coverage' - posting this on my FaceBook ...

If you agree - Comment!

Glorious Wedding Report

Time to report and reflect on the Wedding of our dear daughter last Saturday, June 6.
Prayers for no rain were gloriously answered with the most beautiful, sunny, no humidity and warm evening day that I could possibly have imagined! Thank you to the Lord above for this answered prayer!
The only thing prettier than the weather was my daughter -


Couldn't have done it without the help of our friends from our Sunday night Small Bible Study Group each of whom we are SEW thankful for! Kevin, Joanne, Eddie, Cindy, and Mike - love you to pieces! Little Eric helped keep Cole busy...and our son, Jeff came to the rescue when Cole (ringbearer) had to go potty during the ceremony...and what a smart pastor to extend his words of wisdom until Cole returned so that they could go on with the Sand Ceremony which symbolized Carmen, Cole, and Chris - each a different color sand - becoming one family.

My talented son, Jeff, also did the graphics for wonderful programs quickly a few days before...what talent he has!

Ahhh - and Eddie and Mike crawling hurriedly into the woods where Cole had tossed the 'large metal 'ring' that he was to carry. Surely glad that wise pastor had said to put FAKE rings on it! I must say - I always thought it looked much like a Frisbee - though certainly refrained from calling it that...


No zipper on any dress I made broke! However, the snapshot above my brother caught shows me hand stitching up the zipper that had pulled away from the fabric on Chris' sister's dress. Ready-to-wear quality!!!

My 86 year old parents got there successfully with help of my brother and sister-in-law. I worked the lace from Mom's baby carriage as the cloth for the Sand Ceremony Table, the hanky that was my Grandma's that I'd carried at my wedding into the handle of Carmen's Bouquet, and Carmen also wore a blue heirloom ring that my Mom had given her...

Many little panics/emergencies that God aptly solved along the way of the preceeding week - but the most scarey one (next to having to replace the zipper in the wedding gown) was that when Carmen started off in Barney(my big purple Club ford Van) with all the food we'd prepared on Thursday for the 2 hour trip to Indi - the speedometer wasn't working - then it started lurching. I convinnced her she had to bring it to our trusty mechanic DJ's - and he figured out she had just turned the starter too far. Shewswwwwwww....... Another God siting in my book.

Friends from far away joined for the day, along with family that we were so honored to have with us...thanks for your efforts!

It occurs to me in reflection that as one prepares, "wedding' is more a noun. As it happens - and afterwards, "wedding" is more the verb it is meant to be. Wow - I ask forgiveness for all the trivia that so many weddings - including this one - can easily become. Though we had our share of all that 'stuff' - I honor my daughter that among all of it - she often said that the main thing was that she was marrying her best friend - and that, at the end of the day, that is all that counted.

God has blessed us with a wise one, indeed. And, now - a wonderful new son in the family. Thank you, Lord for your many, many blessings...

Wedding Gown Zipper Trauma

This is almost embarrassing - though I'm SEW THANKFUL that during the final fitting of daughters' wedding gown - just to make sure everything was OK...I had trouble getting that invisible zipper to go up. Now...all along it had been 'testy' - but this time, the zipper slide tore away from the zipper coil!

Thank the Lord, it didn't rip the fabric OR the lace...
Sew...guess what I did last night???

Very, very gratefully re-inserted - BY HAND, that invisible zipper! No way was I going to get back into it on the machine. However, true to the previous insertion experience - and, I ask myself, HOW MANY Invisible Zippers have I put in over the years...let along taught others how - I really fought this one. I DID do the first step of pressing the coil roll out flat. But, I just couldn't get it to not show -

Now realize, I have the 18 or so covered buttons still stitched onto the left side of the 'ivisible' seam...darned if I want to take all those off and sew them back on!

Anyway - I finally decided to stitch it in - NOT trying to go all that close to the coil with a very small back stitch - and THEN, I pretended it was a hand-picked zipper, and once the 'roll' of it all perfectly covered the zip - and those buttons actually rested right on the seam nicer - THEN, I pinned and stitched with a prick stitch through ALL the layers!

Worked like a charm. I know I took up a bit - teensy bit more width in doing it this way - and she'll (obviously) try it on again today... but it looks fine, and it goes up and down without any problem.

Thinking back on the challenges of getting that zip up and down in previous fittings, I think this challenge was 'brewing' for awhile.

Lesson: ALWAYS do a final 'for sure' fitting on important garments!

Again - thank the Lord for it breaking NOW and giving me a non-stressed evening to fix it!

What I'm Up To

12 Days to the Wedding and Counting............

See the bathroom project - designing floating flowers and candles in clear vases for table centerpieces. All done and packed carefully for transport 2 hours away to wedding location. The crib is almost empty of wedding paraphenalia. Gowns are all done - though waiting for final fitting/bridal approval. (Though I've told her it is TOO late to make any changes - she still wants to try it on again!). Cotton (PURCHASED!) bridesmaids gowns are at drycleaner for a wet starch/press to 'perk them up' - with my fingers crossed this will work as well as we think it will. AND, I have my prayer warriors all praying for NO RAIN IN INDIANAPOLIS area on June 6! Daughter lived through the bachelorette party safely - so at least at this point, she won't be on crutches coming up the aisle from the planned mechanical bull ride...or so she reports.

The dining room is back to a dining room, but before I made that transformation,I got myself into a much bigger project than I could have imagined creating some baby shower gifts for my niece.



5 Bibs and a Growth Chart. I was proud of myself for realizing that a bath towel would be an quick and EZ backing for the bibs. That worked well. I hadn't appliqued in so long - I'm not thrilled with my 'technique' - but then it's the love that counts sewn in, eh? It seems my machine needs a trip to the service shop as I fought breaking thread and tension the entire time. However, look at the neat effect upset tension gave the antennae on the butterfly....



I've now moved all my creative mess back to my basement studio/shop area where it belongs - convinced forever that as messy as I am when I sew - it MUST stay hidden. It drove me crazy on the first floor where I like to keep things reasonably neat and clean and presentable!


This holiday weekend found me cleaning, organizing, hubby assembling some bady needed shelving for shipping boxes, show supplies,and my stash of fabric that is organized in paper boxes by color. What a treat that organization will be!

AND - I'm about ready for the filming session tomorrow for my newest DVD -
Londa's Refined Embellishments for Creative Clothing
that I hope to have available for my next show in Cincinnati the end of June.




Meanwhile - enjoying #1 Grandson as always....planting the garden, flowers, etc. I introduced him to worms, and he loves hunting and playing with them. What a joy to be a boy when 'nature calls' and your cothes are all dirty and wet...

American ONLY June 4-July 1

Just read this email and whole-heartedly agree!!!!!!! I"m supporting the BUY American for June 4 to July 1 - and hope you will heartedly and patriotically join me and many others...
pass it on.......

For my part - I'm reducing the price of the USA Comfort Color Sweatshirts - MADE IN THE USA $5 for the month of June 4-July 4. AND INCREASING the cost of the Authentic Pigment Sweatshirts made in CHINA $5. AND stating my reason both in my customer email AND on my website.

The additional $5 I make from any of the Authentic Pigment Sweatshirts will be added donated to a family that I've been involved with through my church through a local Christian benevolent organization, the Empty Tomb. I've been helping out at the house - organizing, teaching organization, and painting - and have told the lady of the house I"ll teach she and her daughter how to sew a bit as a help them 'decorate' the new kitchen with some curtains.



"I WAS BUYING FOOD THE OTHER DAY AT THE COUNTRY MARKET. ON THE LABEL OF SOME PRODUCTS IT SAID FROM CHINA.FOR EXAMPLE THE "OUR FAMILY" BRAND OF THE MANDARIN ORANGES SAYS RIGHT ON THE CAN FROM CHINA I WAS SHOCKED!! SO FOR A FEW MORE CENTS I BOUGHT THE LIBERTY GOLD BRAND OR THE DOLE IS FROM CAL. TAKES FOREVER JUST TO BUY FOOD AND DO LABEL READING ! ! Are we Americans as dumb as we appear --- or --- is it that we just do not think? While the Chinese, knowingly and intentionally, export inferior and even toxic products and dangerous toys and goods to be sold in American markets , the media wrings its hands and criticizes the Bush Administration for perceived errors. Yet 70% of Americans believe that the trading privileges afforded to the Chinese should be suspended. Well, duh..why do you need the government to suspend trading privileges? SIMPLY DO IT YOURSELF, AMERICA!! Simply look on the bottom of every product you buy, and if it says ' Made in China ' or 'PRC' (and that now includes Hong Kong ), simply choose another prod uct, or none at all. You will be amazed at how dependent you are on Chinese products, and you will be equally amazed at what you can do without. Who needs plastic eggs to celebrate Easter ? If you must have eggs, use real ones and benefit some American farmer. Easter is just an example, the point is do not wait for the government to act. Just go ahead and assume control on your own. THINK ABOUT THIS If 200 million Americans refuse to buy just $20 each of Chinese goods, that's a billion dollar trade imbalance resolved in our favor...fast!! The downside? Some American businesses will feel a temporary pinch from having foreign stockpiles of inventory. Wahhhhhhhhhhhh The solution? Let's give them fair warning and send our own message. Most of the people who have been reading about this matter are planning on implementing this on June 4, and continue it until July 4. That is only one month of trading losses, but it will hit the Chinese for 1/12th of the total, or 8%, of their American exports. Then they will at least have to ask themselves if the benefits of their arrogance and lawlessness were worth it. ! Remember, June 4 to July 4. EVEN BETTER. . . START NOW.

Send this to everybody you know. Let's show them that we are Americans and NOBODY can take us for granted. If we can't live without cheap Chinese goods for one month out of our lives, WE DESERVE WHAT WE GET! Pass it on, America"

Dancing with the Stars Designer interview

As ballroom dancers ourselves, my hubby and I LOVE Dancing with the Stars.
Did you notice ALL those gored skirts last week for slim at the top and full at the bottom?
I love, love, love the costuming - and when logging onto the Threads Magazine site to check out the sleeve finish on the latest Threads magazine cover (workign onmy new Embellishments DVD) - I saw this on their Blog - VERY interesting!
http://www.threadsmagazine.com/item/7025/interview-with-dancing-with-the-stars-costume-designer
Enjoy....
Londa

Political Gripe - Why isn't having representation enough?

Just got one more email - and I'm sure the mail box will have at least 2 more appeals for money for whoever to fight more crazy government control and takeovers and pro choice stuff.
THEN - picked up the phone and called my congressman, and zapped off some emails to representatives to share my opinion.

WHAT I THINK is that if everyone would just voice their opinions - first at the ballot box, AND THEN CONTINUALLY to combat the effect of the lobbyists on their representatives in government, that this Democracy of ours would work just fine. If they don't represent my feelings, I just have to wait and vote them out next time.

If I sent $25 or whatever off to every appeal - it is just like another tax! I can't afford that - and they money they spend in the mailings - ughhh! Then you're made to feel guilt when you don't send off money. The ONLY money I will spend is a bit to support a candidate I believe in. Period.

That's the way our government works. The only change I'd make is TERM LIMITS!!! Perhaps 2 terms for any and all positions. Period.

Off my soap box.....and to listen to fair, balanced, and reasonable on FOX NEWS!!!

Finishing up Wedding Attire & Spray Can Hint

YeA!!!! Every stitch is done on my dress! I must say - it looks better on the body than on this hanger - butat least it is done. Friend/expert Tina convinced me NOT to change the top - so I didn't. She said a friend in movie sewing uses panty liners as dress shields! So - think I'll try that to asuage my worries about perspiration. Did a regular double fold as you go fine hem on the chiffon layer AFTER I had shaped and pinned the under layer of satin back crepe. To hem that, Tina suggested the rolled hem foot - so that's what I used. Worked beautifully - but just didn't work on the chiffon. What she did was pin a row of pins 10" from the floor with the dress on and my heels on - that gave me a design referenc point. I kept it longer in back, and then it cuves up tothe dress' left side front interest. Especially for having lost an entire back chiffon skirt piece, I think it turned out pretty well. Cross that one off my list!

I've also finished the white polka dot dress (see last post for pics) for her Rehearsal Dinner dress. We both like it. Now to just take a slightly wet sponge to make SURE all the cat hair is off it so she doesn't sneeze all night! What a terrible mother I am to have 2 cats I love to keep me company during the day!!! The inside of this one is lined in silk. I'm putting up the remaining 5 yards of silk lining on my website soon...don't need that around.

Just a bustle loop to put on the back of that Bridal Gown....and I even stitched the 3-D flowers on the veil the other night. Yes, I said STITCHed. Every one of them...

Now have some baby bibs to make - for my sisters' daughters' first baby due in July. That will be fun and a change of pace!

AND - to clean up the dining room. I'm a bit tired of seeing it as a workroom - all messy as I seem to have to be to get anything done!

Also sprayed some white hydrangeas with a bit of pink spray paint this morning...and reminds me of something to share about keeping spray cans from clogging up. Years ago, I managed a craft store - and the owner was vehement about every time we used a spray of any type, that we tip it upside down, and spray til nothing came out - thus clearing that little tube. I've done that ever since,and it really does help cans not get 'clogged'. Try it...

Wedding Excitement & Sewing Boo-Boos

Here's my smilin', gorgeous bride-daughter at her wedding shower last Sunday. Many told her she looked like 'Barbie'! Such fun...
The 2nd picture is an extra special gift - a Bridal Basket glassware antique from my parents. At 86 this year, it is very special that they are both still alive and hopefully will get to the wedding with my brother's help.
Here is my project of yesterday - and I was reminded what therapy sewing is. ALAS - good thing those 4 pie-shaped skirt pieces were symmetrical, as when I went to sew them together, I realized I hadn't flipped the pattern pieces when cutting them out! I was obsessed with matching the border-effect of the polka dots, and plum forgot.
I must say, too, that this dress 'put me in my place' - oft times sewing just isn't that easy, and directions do NOT make sense. I had even fitted a muslin top before I cut out the dress itself - then used that 'muslin' - actually silk tafetta left over from the wedding gown - as the underlining for this fabric. Sew...should have fit perfectly - eh? I thought the stable tafetta would have more than acted as 'stay' along the diagonal front neckline lines. NOT! I had to take it up - 2 times at the shoulders to get rid of the majority of the neckline gap AND slide the overlapping tops down into the midriff piece about 1.5" TOO.
The invisible zipper on the left side seam goes from arm pit through midriff, into the skirt, and I lined the bodice and midriff with silk batiste - and it was amazing to me the sewing that doing that entailed. I've left the skirt unlined, as she's 'borrowing' one of the bridesmaids' full crinoline type slips to wear underneath. Besides - I wonder if this dress will ever be worn more than at the Rehearsal Dinner. She absolutely loves polka dots - so we were thrilled to find this at Hancock's. It is actually a satin, but I convinced her that sheen = larger, so we've used the backside tafetta side as the 'outside' for the dress.

Just have the hem left - and also hems and a few nips and tucks on the bridesmaids' dresses. The finish I did on the tie back sash will work great on these dresses' hems as well as this full hem...Here are the steps:

1. Stitch 5/8" or so from the hem - single layer, regular length.

2. Roll the stitching just a hair to the wrong side. Stitch again, right on top of that stitching.

3. Trim CAREFULLY the excess hem allowance right up close to this stitching. I use an Applique Scissors for this task!

4. Roll one more time to the wrong side - stitching on top of the stitching once again.

So - you have actually 3 rows of stitching to accomplish this hem, but it works like a dream. Not a new technique - just one in my arsenal of tricks - and it should be in yours too.

Though I made some boo-boos, I got a new supply of 'Conquer Mentality' - an 'upper' I definitely needed. On top of that, watched some uplifting DVD's as I sewed. Beautiful day outside - so I'd gone on a walk to clear my head to start the day - and snatched some lilacs that I had at my sewing table enfusing the air with God's magic. If I could carbon copy a day like that and give it to every woman, that would be a wonderful thing...