Wednesday, April 14th, 2010
Measure twice, cut once
When I went to China a few months ago, Talitha sent me with one gift request–red silk to make a dress for this spring’s father-daughter event at church.
The event is soon–very soon–and if it looks like I’m blogging to put off cutting into the silk, I am. Here’s the mental conversation.
Me: I’ve never sewed with such expensive material before.
The other me: You’ve already cut the dress out of an old tablecloth and fitted it on Talitha, so you could make your adjustments there, so what’s the problem?
Me: Yeah, but to actually touch scissors to the silk. What if I mess it up?
The other me: How many yards to you have?
Me: More than I need.
The other me: So-o-o?
Me: Well, I guess I could cut another piece if I mess one up.
The other me: And how many years have you been sewing?
Me: Since I was Talitha’s age.
The other me: So close that computer and get off your . . .
16 Responses to “Measure twice, cut once”
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i totally relate…it is what often prevents me from starting many a things…..i can’t wait to see the finished product!
I’m so nervous… but not as nervous as if I were measuring, measuring and cutting!
Happy, relaxing (Can it be?) sewing to you!
Too funny, Noel. I am taking a break from cutting out a pattern to drink a cup of tea before starting on the sample dress. Then, I will, with great trepidation, cut into the beautiful lilac silk sari from India that is to become a bridesmaid’s dress for daughter, Erin, to wear in son, Jonathan’s wedding in May. I have been having practically the same mental conversation!
You can do it!
like it…
Well, I haven’t sewn for years because although I’ve been sort of happy with most of my results in the past, a)my sewing machine is so old that it jams every three minutes and b)no matter how I have focused on reading carefully and THINKING I know what those McCalls or Butterick patterns are saying, I have always had to keep a sharp seam ripper (or two or three) by my side because I have understood something backwards. I’ll pray for you that things go SMOOTHLY!
You are soooooo real! Your “conversation” is so me too at many places in life! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!
Please post pics of your finished project :)
Oh, oh, oh…I was only able to finish ONE pillowcase dress for Haiti for this very reason. It took me forever and a day.
Really funny post Noel, and so true. I am glad you finally listened to wiser voice and are off sewing a beautiful dress. I usually have a third person inside my head who likes to keep listening to the same arguments being tossed back and forth, back and forth, for a very long time, until I have a headache and nothing is done. That is, until my husband comes in and tells that third person to stop listening to those voices and just do something! (Let’s hope my wiser voice will become stronger than the complacent one soon).
Well, that gave me a giggle. I haven’t sewn clothing for such a long time, but to cut into a piece of silk! Oh, my, the fabric in its uncut state is so lovely! It’s almost like silk abuse! LOL
I will be lovely. Please post the pic when done!
Hi Noel! Love your blog. We live in Shanghai, China and my husband is going back for a business trip to Mpls in May! SO if you need any more fabric let me know! I can send some with him! I am serious….Emily
[...] April 17th, 2010Cut once, sewed once, dress doneI finally pushed through my silk-terror and cut out Talitha’s dress for the Father-Daughter Tea. And I worked with my procrastination [...]
Hahaha – that was too funny
The dress is beautiful and so is Talitha! I have some silk someone gave me from Thailand and have yet to cut it, ha!
Oh,Noel !! With you “aboard” in the eighth month of pregnancy of my firstborn, I promenaded us to a party in a lustrous dress of royal blue Chinese silk. Your Daddy bought the material in Hong Kong when serving as medical officer aboard the U.S.S.Chipola. I had no qualms about the cut or the fit, for increasingly obvious reasons, day by day !