Pure Comic Gold

I received no fewer than three phone calls and four emails from a bride today. Her last call consisted of a 21 minute tirade about the terrible service she received from a bridal store in town who not only screwed up her dress order but also her save the date cards.

I personally am dying to know which bridal store specializes in dresses AND paper goods.

The conversation included the following phrases:
"Doesn't she know save the date cards should never have the location? Everyone knows that!"
"She ordered $300 worth of save the dates without asking! I don't have that kind of money!"
"She never ordered fabric for my sleeves. I need my princess sleeves!"
"My wedding is supposed to be aubergine and charcoal, and the dresses showed up eggplant. Eggplant!"
"She wouldn't even turn on the lights and sent me out with a fabric swatch that was more green than gray!"
"I'm only planning the most important day of my life!"
"What kind of person purposely ruins other people's lives like this!"

Poor girl.

On one hand my instincts say "Run! Run as fast as you can!" On the other, the poor girl just needs someone to talk her down from the ledge. I'm taking my chances on this one.

Hopefully the dramatic wailing will subside by Thursday.

Paid in Pancakes

Earlier this summer I altered a dress for a lovely older woman who was celebrating her 50th wedding anniversary. I'm a sucker for stories, and hers really touched my heart.

She told me about how she and her husband had been through so much together, especially in the last 10 years--the tragic death of their adult son, her battle with breast cancer, her husband's battle with diabetes that had made him wheelchair bound, and all the financial struggles that came along with it. She was nearly in tears when she told me how much it meant to her that they had made it to this milestone.

She had me tearing up right along with her in the fitting. When it came to discussing the cost of the alterations, I couldn't help but offer to do them at no cost to her.

It merely cost me my time. Don't get me wrong--my time is very valuable. In this case, however, the kindness I was able to offer was worth so much more.

I received a kind card in the mail a few days later from her thanking me profusely. Inside, she included a gift certificate to a waffle house ( mind you, not THE Waffle House--I'll have to wait until my next trip out East.) I still get a little misty eyed thinking about it.

Today, on my husband and my first anniversary, we were able to take advantage of her kindness. Best damn pancakes ever. Seriously.

Oh, and the warm and fuzzy feeling that this story fills me with isn't so bad either.

Haute mess

Today's project: 

Take in at side seams, hem, bustle, and alter the sleeves (which are currently altered and done.  These are a story for another day.) 

 

The bride who brought me this dress was so excited about her experience at a haute couture botique in San Fransisco.  She went on and on about how wonderful it was not to have to shop at a place like (gasp!) David's Bridal, and how lucky she was to have a custom design

I am fascinated by the world of couture (by definition, the business of designing, making, and selling highly fashionable, usually custom-made clothing for women.)  Would I say this dress is worthy of the distinction of haute couture?  No. 

My understanding of haute couture is that it is the highest form of fashion forward dressmaking and fine sewing.  Perhaps I don't have my ear to the ground when it comes to fashion, but I can recognize crap work when I see it.  

I am actually appalled by some of the techniques used on this dress.  There are 3 different kinds of linings used.  Is it typical to mix up the type of lining for different parts?  Yes.  But the combination of types of fabrics and  colors (yes, you see that right, colors) really makes it look like they grabbed up some scraps from the floor to finish off the different parts.  It makes my artistic sensibilities ache.  

This is one of the bra pads: 

That's kinda gross. 

And finally, the straw that broke the camels back (aka, the part of the dress that inspired me to write this), the hemline in the front has lace applique. 

  

Pretty, right?  (note--I have hemmed the under layer, and am now altering the top layer to work with it.)  But is it symmetrical?  Nope. 

To me, one of the hallmarks of great work is when things line up and follow a logical symmetry (unless, of course, the dress is not intended to have that quality.)  This dress is hot mess of asymmetrical trim, seams not lining up, different measurements, messing sewing, and very odd (and sloppy) fabric choices.  Suffice to say, I am a fan of patterns, symmetry, and neatness.

Am I being judgemental?  Absolutely!  It's one of the most fun parts of doing bridal alterations!  You get to see the beautiful!  The ugly!  The questionable! 

Does it matter in the grand scheme of things?  Hell no!  The dress is exactly what the bride wants to wear on her special day.  Symmetry be damned!

"By Appointment Only"

 I realize I bring this on myself.

Today has been a challenge.  At the beginning of my day, my schedule was as follows:
12:15 Maids dress #1 drop off for alterations
1:00 Bridal gown drop off for pressing
6:00 Maids dress #2 drop off for alterations
6:30 Maids dress #3 check in fitting
7:00 Maids dress #4 pick up

What actually happened:
12:15 Canceled at last minute
1:00  Rescheduled for pickup at alternate location at 3:00, then for a later drop off at 5:30, and arrived smack in the middle of my 6:00 fitting that arrived 15 minutes late
6:30 Texts to say she can't come until 7:30
My 7:00 is still holding strong...

I realize I bring this on myself.  Someday, when I win the lotto, quit my day job, and procure an office outside my home, I'll switch to a system where I have set drop in hours.  A girl can dream...

Caring and Sharing

“How long have you been engaged?”  is a very typical question that began a very typical fitting.  Sometimes the answer you get is a nothing more than a business-like statement of fact.  Sometimes, though, you find this connection with a bride that leads her to answer more fully.  If you’re lucky, you get a glimpse into a slice of life that you’ve never even imagined. Last Tuesday, I got lucky.

“We’ve been engaged for 3 years.  We were supposed to be married last September, but postponed the wedding  because of my brother’s passing.”  She continued on to tell me the story of her brother who had died after a long battle with cancer.  The story itself was sad, but what struck me was the information she shared about his care during the last stages of his life. 

She described how difficult it was for him to get end of life care here in the valley.  When he was in the Bay area, he was able to get the care he needed relatively nearby.  But as his time here on earth got shorter, he had to travel farther and farther to get the care he needed.  How awful to have such little time left and have to spend it in the car, traveling up and down the dusty, dry, unscenic 99.  

Most of this conversation came out when I asked her what degree she is persuing.  She hopes to use her sociology degree to begin a non-profit that will improve end of life care for cancer patients and to alleviate some of the burden of travel during those last painful months.   Her ability to so calmly and clearly state her goals and story was inspiring.   

I woke up the next morning still enamored with her story.  I admire her her dedication to this mission, openess, and gentle, clear style of communication uplifting.  (Ironically, these are some of the same traits that make her an ideal client.)

Her dress was beautiful.  It was a ruched through the bodice which pleated down into a very graceful bubble skirt.  The trumpet style is being changed into more of a mermaid look, and a strap that is akin to a cascade of flowers will fall over one shoulder and gracefully fade in to the bodice.  How exciting to meet a bride who can envision what a dress with good bones can look like with a bit of restyling.  It is a refreshing change of pace, and I’m thrilled to see what the dress will ultimately become. 

Mostly, I am grateful to make something beautiful for someone with such a beautiful heart.

Yes I Cannabis!

This economy sucks.  


Oversharing comes with the territory.  There is something about being in a fitting and half naked in the presence of a stranger that makes people spill it.  

A bride arrived at my home tonight with her wedding dress, and as I was lacing her up she started telling me about how her family was struggling.  She and her fiancé have 4 kids and have both been laid off in the last year.   She then told me the story of how their family has been essentially saved by the the private bakery she and her husband run.


I'm thinking "Sexy cakes!  How nice!"


Nope.  Cannibus cakes. She went on talking about her suppliers and some past activities than I am not very comfortable knowing.  Her story was very touching, but I wish she would have chosen a different stopping place---like perhaps while my mind was filled with visions of cakes found only at a bachelorette party.  


Somedays, I'm not the quickest on the upswing.