Wedding Gown with a Story

Beautiful 

If you have ever watched Hee Haw {back in the day} you've heard this song...

 Click photo link to hear  the song

It's the song that has been running through my head since last Thursday.  Have time for a little story.....

There I was busily working along on this beautiful wedding gown, making the last preparations for a fitting the next and things were coming along beautifully. Then it happened, I decided it was time to remove my "Water Soluble" tracing paper marks.  Pulled out my tiny little spray bottle and started gently blotting at the marks. 

Now, I have to pause here to tell you that I have used this particular tracing paper for years and never {I repeat....NEVER} had any trouble with it!!! Having all this history with this particular paper, I dismissed the fleeting thought of doing a test on a piece of scrap fabric.

This particular tracing paper has five color choices {red, blue, charcoal, yellow & white}. Concluding that the red, blue and charcoal were all too dark for such a delicate fabric and white was just too light to be able to see the marks I pulled the yellow from the package and marked every dot, dart, pleat and fold that I would need.  Keep in mind that this paper is not the traditional wax tracing paper, it is water soluble and can be ironed over without being permanently set.

So, where was I..........

Oh yes, I was spraying water and gently blotting the marks, fully expecting them to disappear, just like every other time I've done this.  And to my dismay the little yellow spot was growing.  With my heart in my throat, my dismay was quickly moving to panic.  Since the fabric is washable my last resort was to pull out my Shout bottle. I  sprayed it down and let it soak. All to no avail.

That darn spot was still there and seemed to have grown and of course the other marks near it were now showing as well. {I needed The Cat in the Hat}!

There was nothing left to do but accept defeat. I had to start over. But, first I had to let the bride know about what had happened and reschedule her fitting. There was no way I could re-do a months worth of work in less than 24 hrs.  I have to say that I LOVE this bride, she was so sweet and understanding!! Now keep in mind she is not the typical bride....her wedding was just 2 weeks away when I'm telling her that I have to start over. I think most brides would have freaked, but not Cindi!

Off to the fabric store I head, praying all the way that they had more of the fabric I so desperately needed. Praise the Lord they did!!

In addition to the one ruined piece, there were several pieces that needed re-cut since I had used the same yellow marks on them and the chances they wouldn't have the same reaction was zilch!!

In the end I spent my weekend re-cutting and re-constructing an almost finished gown, all the while singing.....

Gloom, Despair, Agony on Me
Deep dark depression, excessive misery
If it weren't for bad luck, I'd have no luck at all
Gloom, Despair, Agony on Me

Thankfully there is a happy ending..... this afternoon the beautiful {and very patient} bride came for a fitting and the new gown fits beautifully!!! Now for the finishing touches and she's all ready for her wedding next weekend. Praise the Lord for happy endings!!!

New Gown - Almost finished

A Quick reminder.... It's not too late to sign up to win a Half Yard cut of fabric from www.littlepinkrose.com. After visiting the shop, go here and leave a comment telling what is your favorite fabric in the shop.

Happy Sewing & Many Blessings,
{{{HUGS}}}
Marcia

Winners & A New Giveaway

Before I announce the winners I want to share the next Grand Opening Celebration Giveaway. If you're visiting from Sew Many Ways, Welcome!! If you're visiting from another source welcome to you as well!! I'm thrilled you've stopped by for a visit.

This week we are giving away a half yard cut of your choice. All you need to do for a chance to win is:

Go to the shop...

Click photo to go to shop

Browse the fabric selections and pick out your favorite, come back here and leave a comment on this blog post telling us which fabric you would choose if you were the winner of a 1/2 yard cut.  {Hint: It's what I'll be sending you if you are the lucky winner}  Grab your cup of coffee, put your feet up and enjoy your stroll through the shop!

A Request: If you have not shared your email on your blogger profile, making you a no-reply blogger, please leave an email address where I can reach you in your comment. Thanks!
                             ____________________________________________


And now what you've all been waiting for!

Winner, winner chicken dinner we have a winner.....okay we have two winners from last weeks giveaway of two Fat Quarter bundles.

I'm still working on figuring out the whole random number generator thingy, so I went with the old fashioned way of drawing a winner, slips of paper.  Then I interrupted my hubby's sermon preparations and asked if he would do the honors of drawing a couple of winners. 

I think secretly he loved being asked!!

And the winners are.......

Sharon B who said....

I am such a PINK GIRL! My fav would have to be Bohemian Main - Pink - you have lovely fabrics and have been added to my online list :) 

AND

Dora the Quilter, who said...

Favorite fabric right now: Peak Hour Ad - Gray because it is totally unlike anything I have or anything I have ever before used. (Loved the other prints too.)

Ladies inbox me with your addresses and I'll have your bundles in the mail asap! 

Blessings in you Quilting Adventures!
{{HUGS}}
Marcia

Works in Progress

This week I have several works in progress at different stages of completion. I'm having a blast working on every single one of them. And with so many projects going at the same time I'm thankful that none of them are causing any headaches and making me want to avoid them. I've had some projects in the past that weren't any fun and I had to force myself to work on it just to get it done. So glad that is not the case right now.......though I'm sure there's a project lurking somewhere around the corner just waiting to cause me anxiety.  LOL!

This weeks Works in Progress include:

1) A Crepe backed Satin Wedding Gown:
I absolutely LOVE how this is coming together!!! 

 It all started with this pattern from Vogue.  I spent several hours pouring over the pattern and making all the alterations to take this from an above the dress to a full floor length gown. I know you'd think that it wouldn't be that complicated, but adding that much length changes how things align. Which is why, after making the alterations I made it up in muslin before ever even considering cutting into the Satin.

I'm taking the flounce off the front and flipping it over, so that more of the satin side will show. The way it's attached right now more of the duller crepe side shows, which is okay, but I think having more of the satin side showing will elevate the dress even more. Then all that's left to do is take in the side seams a bit, finish the lining, add a zipper and hem it.

I can hardly wait to show you a picture of the bride in the finished gown, she's absolutely beautiful!!!


2) A floral bridesmaid dress.....
This is another one of those dresses that looks just amazing on the young lady it's made for than it does on the hanger!  She's so adorable!!

 This dress needs one last alteration to the shoulder seams, a little tweaking on the zipper, facing on the armholes and hemmed.


3) A floral flowergirl's dress & bloomers

Just got the measurements today and will be diving into this cute little dress in the next day or so.

Still on the design wall waiting for me.....
4) Michael's graduation quilt
5) Super Mario Brother's quilt

  Luigi block laid out and ready to be sewn together.

 A couple of finishes.....

Hand quilted Trains & Roads Quilt

Mario Block waiting patiently for the rest of his companions

If the rest of this week goes as well as I hope it will, I'll be making great strides on all these project and working on the plans/pattern for a pink girls quilt that has been ordered.

Don't forget to sign up for the Grand Opening giveaway here and you could be one of the winners of an Art Gallery Fabrics FQ Bundle. Checkout the fabric shop as well where everything is currently 20% off.

Have a fabulous day!!!
{{{HUGS}}}
Marcia

Grand Opening Giveaway

 This Giveaway is now Closed
But a New Giveaway can be found here

As we continue to celebrate our Grand Opening we want to share the love by giving away TWO Fat Quarter collections of some of our luscious fabric. The bundles includes 8 Fat Quarter Cuts from several of Art Gallery Fabrics Collections for a total of 2 yards of fabric.

Included in this FQ Bundle are:
Poetica - Delicate Duet Pink                      LillyBelle - Flowerpop Sweet
Pure Elements - Quartz Pink                      LillyBelle - Belle Vines Oasis
Poetica - Rhythmic Rose                                Coquette -Flirt Power Pink
Poetica - Spirited Verse Candy                    Poetica - Sweet Melody Pure

There are several ways to enter, do as many as you'd like to increase your chances:

• Become a follower on this blog and leave a comment that you are a follower.  
• Go to our Facebook page and click "Like" then come back here and leave a comment that you are a follower on Facebook.  Our Facebook page:  Little Pink Rose Quilting & Sewing
• Visit the Online Shop, check out the beautiful collections then come and leave a comment on what is your favorite fabric in the shop. Our online shop is at: www.littlepinkrose.com 
• Share this post on your Facebook page &/or your blog, come back here and leave a seperate comment for each place where you've shared this post.

Enter as often as you'd like and enjoy all the new fabric in the store!
 
This giveaway will close Friday and the winners will be posted Saturday. Be sure you're not a "no-reply blogger," as no-reply bloggers are not eligible to win. I need to be able to contact you if you're one of the lucky winners.

 {{{HUGS}}}
Marcia aka

Grand Opening

The Little Pink Rose Fabric Shop is Officially Open and it is time to Celebrate!

To spread the joy around we're taking 20% off every order placed throughout September. 

Just use Coupon Code: GRNDOPEN at checkout to receive your savings discount.  

Click here to checkout all the new fabric! 

Celebrate National Sewing month with a trip to littlepinkrose.com and save on some luscious fabrics for your next project.

Thanks so much to all of you have shared such kind words with me!
{{{HUGS}}}

Marcia