Hi everyone, just thought I'd pop in and give a quick update. This new Office that I've been elected to in the Eastern Star is going to be a dilly! I've been busy setting up a calendar and a directory, and arranged for the dates for the Official Visits. Once I have all the info for the year, I intend to put it in both of them. The directory will also have all of the Chapters in the District listed with the 18 officers and their phone numbers. I also have to make a new outfit that I will wear for the year when I go the any of the Chapters within and without the district. I started the dress (with a jacket to go) last week, and then had to wait for a friend to come over and help me fit it properly. I made up the lining and we worked with that. Found out that the pattern sizing was off; luckily it was too large, and I had to recut it and resew it. The pattern is really not very attractive, so I'm trying to make it fit as nicely as possible. Well, yesterday I sewed up the fabric and started to join the lining to it. I poked myself with a pin, but wasn't bleeding so continued along. I finished one armhole and discovered spots of blood all over the bodice. Did I tell you that the dress portion of the outfit is white? Yup, white. *Someone* was doing a lot of screaming, as I ran for the hairspray and soaked the blood in it. Then I finished the other armhole, and threw it in a washing bag and threw it in the wash with detergent and Oxyclean. It came out pure white! I hung it to dry and the fabric that I was told wouldn't shrink - did. In length yet, by about 2 inches and the dress is supposed to be floor length. Darned good thing I cut it extra long! It now has a very narrow hem.Whew! I finished the dress and only have the jacket to go. Oh, the jacket is a pretty periwinkle colour. I've got it cut out and just have to sew it together. It's an unlined pattern so I get to figure out how to join the lining the way I want it.
Well, that's what I've been up to. My thoughts and prayers to everyone that needs them. I haven't forgotten you.