Last year my cousin, Nina Nesom, became engaged for the first time at the age of 46. I was so thrilled for her and felt honored when she asked me to help her find a pattern for her dream wedding gown. Nina is a super plus size and it's not easy to find patterns that may fit her. So, Nina sent me a photo of her dream gown. She specified that she didn't want a train and she wanted elbow length sleeves. After searching numerous sites, I realized that there was not any patterns in her style or that would fit her. So I set about drafting a pattern for her. I called my friend, Debbie Crummie, who met up with me and we discussed what was needed. My aunt, Nina's mom, took measurements and using Judy Kessinger's Master top pattern as a base, Debbie and I proceeded to draft a pattern that would fit Nina. Believe me, it was not easy and I didn't tell Nina that it was the first dress pattern that I had actually drafted from scratch. I have not seen Nina in over 20 years so I was doing this with a lot of prayer. Anyway, Nina was thrilled when the pattern arrived and she found a seamstress in New Orleans to make the gown for her from my pattern. I had sent her fabric suggestions and wrote the instructions for construction of the dress. The bodice was a pleated cross-over with a full bias cut skirt that had pockets on the side seams. For whatever reason, the seamstress would not do the pockets. When all was said and done, Nina looked gorgeous on her wedding day wearing her dream gown. I'm so happy that I had a part in making the day memorable.

Here are some of my projects from last year and this year. A clerical stole for a friend, embroidered napkins for family members, a baptismal outfit for a friend, and a new top for me ... Happy Sewing!!!

Our Summer of Renovations

For now, I am unable to do any sewing since we have started major renovations on our home. We gutted and remodel our bathroom to have a walk-in glass enclosed shower instead of a bathtub. We went down to the studs and fixed some floor joists and support beams ... It is so beautiful even though the work is not totally done yet. Just a few tweaks. Then we gutted the laundry room and removed the pedestals on our washer/dryer. We insulated the outer walls and had the room painted a nice soft gray. A counter top is being put over the lowered washer and dryer so that I can have a cutting counter at home. When the kitchen remodel is done, we will add a quartz counter top to my cutting counter. Then we gutted hubby's study (yes, he has his own smoking room) and insulated the outer walls, added new flooring and refinished all of the paneling with a beautiful walnut stain. We added a ceiling fan with lights and are adding can lights in the ceiling. All 3 of these rooms are being worked on at once. Then we are painting the outside of our home and shutters plus staining the porch flooring a dark brown. It is very unsettling to our pup, Max, so I stay primarily in my bedroom with him while the workers are here. Not much chance to sew.

A Little Bit of This and That

Hi Everyone,
For some reason, I was locked out of posting on my blog so I am hoping that this post goes thru. I wanted to add some photos of things that I made since last year. The photos included a heirloom boy's baptismal outfit, a wedding gown plus my embroidery work over Christmas. Back in August, I got a new serger ... the Babylock Ovation and it makes sewing so much easier. Now, I'm working on some Easter dresses for an inner city school in a high poverty area. I will attempt to add some photos if this post goes thru.
Blessings,
Marty