In February Clementine came to visit with a pile of clothing that needed altering. Marrying into a Bantu family meant leaving behind some western dress for some occasions, and special flowing robes are a fairly traditional gift from her new husband’s family. Unfortunately, these are truly “one size fits all” in nature and Clementine is a tiny little thing. I took a bunch of dresses up (like about a foot or so!), and in before she got married and this most recent batch was just round two in the same game. I hacked and took in two dresses and one frilly red slip, but the last task was truly my piece d’triumph…. a swath of fabric with words on it. ”Can you make this into a dress?” she asked. And because I love her I said, “No problem!”.
And yet, it was sort of a problem. This fabric is HIGHLY decorative. There are lines and swirls and patterns all over the place. It doesn’t make sense to cut just anywhere because the fabric design is so specific. And which way do the words go? And why is it printed all wonky? And….. huh.
Anyway, I made a dress in the end. I don’t know that it was such a work of skill, but it was certainly a work of great love. Awww….. okay, that is too sappy.
2 Comments, Comment or Ping
You are like her mama- of course you are going to do special things for her. Just because she is married doesn’t mean she doesn’t still need her mama stand-in!
May 21st, 2009
You should post some photos of the finished project. Man, I need to get sewing again! I miss it!
May 21st, 2009
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