OT never give up

I was a 5lb baby - and look at me now!! . In message , Polly Esther writes

Me too! I (stupidly) always wondered if that's why I had such awful luck in my life - I cheated death so now I have to pay! There were times in my life when I really did believe that. But I don't anymore. If it wasn't for bad luck I'd have no luck at all! And I don't really believe in "luck" or "fate" - it is what it is! judy from Mass

Oh mercy, no, Roberta. Teaching is a lot of work. I do get an emergency call now and then from a surprised granny who needs to make tiny clothes. One-on-one is easy enough. Polly

One more discovery. Since I rarely get to go the fabric shops and feel the flannel, I asked the shops to do it for me. I asked nicely and in a 'just when you have time' manner. One nice lady at Northcott did just that. Her conclusion was that Northcott's flannel that is white with a tiny print is softer than pastels or colors. The next time you get to fondle fabric, go pat the flannels for me. I'd love to know what you think. Polly

Me too! I (stupidly) always wondered if that's why I had such awful luck in my life - I cheated death so now I have to pay! There were times in my life when I really did believe that. But I don't anymore. If it wasn't for bad luck I'd have no luck at all! And I don't really believe in "luck" or "fate" - it is what it is! judy from Mass

I have often found this with fabrics. Some colours that are otherwise the exact same weave and composition feel quite different...

Recently with some very high class Barathea (wool sege, officers uniforms for the use of), we found that one shade of khaki was soft as down, another not so much. The black was somehow harder than the RAF uniform blue... Funny how it goes, but it's the chemicals in the dyes that do it. Sometimes, with linen and cotton, they equal out after a wash or two.

Me too, Pat! Of course, there were two of us at the same time, but we were pretty small.

Darling Polly, don't you see what happened? God just gave you a gift for spending 20 years stitching for her tiniest angels. When you hit those pearly gates, imagine how much joy there will be..... finally, somebody who can sew the tiniest wings! And God will say, "I taught her that trick with the serger!"

Love, Sunny

It might be easier than you think Polly. The woman that runs the Hospice quilting group at my Adult Ed school organizes a workshop about twice a year to make little 2 piece sets for babies born at the county hospital. She's been doing it for years, so she's got it down to a fine science now. She uses donated knit fabrics & she does it at her house. Before the planned date, she has a couple of ladies help her sort thru the fabrics & match fabrics up for tops & bottoms. Then she has a couple of ladies that just come & cut all day. On the day of the workshop, a pair of ladies cut the elastic, she sets up the ladies that have sergers & they do the machine sewing, somebody does quality control - cutting all those lose threads - someone presses them, someone folds them & sorts them by size. At the end of the day, she has a huge stack. Oh - & for lunch, she tells everyone to bring a topping for a baked potato & a drink. Her husband puts the potatoes in oven mid morning & someone always brings cookies or brownies. It's a fulfilling day.

Pauline Northern California

Thank you, Pauline. I enjoyed reading about the workshop; sounds very productive and a real joy. Give that great lady a hug from me. Polly

"Pauline" It might be easier than you think Polly. The woman that runs the Hospice

Oh golly, Sunny. Just wait until the folks at the serger shop find out Who my teacher is. They're going to be so jealous. Polly

Sunny wrote> Darling Polly, don't you see what happened? God just gave you a gift

Good gracious, Judy. How I would love to give a swift kick to whoever planted that awful notion in your head. I grew up around a heap of superstitions but never one that proclaimed that preemies had cheated death and had to pay for it. Early babies are a very special blessing and so are you. Polly

"judyanna" Me too! I (stupidly) always wondered if that's why I had such awful luck in my life - I cheated death so now I have to pay! There were times in my life when I really did believe that. But I don't anymore. If it wasn't for bad luck I'd have no luck at all! And I don't really believe in "luck" or "fate" - it is what it is!

An interesting thought, Kate. I'll give some flannel that I've thought was too 'hard' for newborns and give it a couple of washes to see if it gentles down. Could be. Polly

"Kate XXXXXX"

I know, it probably had to do with all that Catholic school stuff! It wasn't from my family, really. Just some sort of screwy-brained way kids think about everything revolving them and around them and earning pearls for heaven or something! I think I thought I had a deficit to start with!

Judy from Mass

Wow, that is awesome Polly--and quite inspiring. I'm noodling with a plan to make my own clothes patterns. I've had no training in the subject, but I did take drafting in high school (many moons ago). Your story makes me believe it may not be a totally ludicrous idea.

Michelle in NV

Well of course you can draft your own patterns. You probably already have a good foundation. I've always known when I sew 'for me' that I need to take a tiny pinch out at the neckline centerfront. (Whatever padding I was supposed to produce there never happened.) Same thing center back just below the waistline. You don't really have to go at it like growing your own cotton to create a quilt. Begin with a very basic pattern (or 3) that fit with adjustments as needed and progress from there. And good for you for wanting to make your own clothing. I just looked through a dozen very nice clothing catalogs. Every neckline in every one of them was much too low-cut. I don't much care for the maternity tops style either. Go for it Michelle. If you need help, our friend Kate Dicey is both generous and marvelous. Polly

"Michelle C" Wow, that is awesome Polly--and quite inspiring. I'm noodling with a

Hi Polly,

Yep, my desire to draft my own patterns is because the ones that I've bought don't fit well anyway. I've had a couple that were "okay", however, I think given some thought and persistence, I could do a better job--eventually.

A few weeks back, I made myself a very simple skirt. Two rectangles for back and front, and elastic in the top. It fits better, cost a lot less than either one made from a store-bought pattern or just plain purchased, and it took me not more than a couple of hours from start to finish--and that was only because I was going so slow. :-)

I know what you mean about some of the styles, Polly. The one that especially gripes me is jeans that look like they're already worn out. I'm a long way from making pants, will start on tops or dresses first, but it is this type of fashion idiocy that is motivating.

Sounds like you are a pretty knowledgeable seamstress, Polly. I appreciate the tip about Kate too. When I get earnest about trying this, I'll know who to ask.

Thanks! Best regards, Michelle > Well of course you can draft your own patterns. You probably already have a