Creations: Wedding blouses

Back in April Asael announced that he was engaged to marry the famous Emillie Toone.  No surprise to any of us, but happy for all of us.

And a short time later we were informed that we were supposed to wear cream colored blouses with black skirts.  Black skirts, check.  But cream colored blouses?  None of us had those.  And 3 of the 4 Checketts women are poor, plus a few other wrinkles (detailed below), plus--even if $$ wasn't an issue--it's not always easy to find a blouse you want to wear.  So, as I usually do at these moments--I informed Rachel (and then Nancy and Laura) that I should just make them.  I have a simple blouse pattern, I'll just buy some cream material.  Done, right?

Oh yes, as Rachel reminded me, I was going to be in Texas within a couple of weeks, and would be there until a few days before I left for Utah.  Hmmm.  So I did some internet shopping and it led me to continue to assert that making them would be best.

On Friday before we left for Texas, I was getting ready for work.  I was supposed to take my big laptop, my weights and a couple of other things to my dear friend Yvonne.  She was driving down (leaving early the next morning) and had graciously agreed to take these heavy items.  I kept feeling uneasy about carrying them to work.  So I left them and started walking to work.  As I walked I started thinking about the blouses--and suddenly the inspiration fell into place (probably trying to get to me for a couple of days).  If Yvonne could take my machine down, I could totally do the blouses!!  She agreed--in fact, she knew before I asked her.  And off went my machine.

Down in Texas we lugged it (and sewing supplies) to my hotel room (nice room, by the way).  And I had a sewing station for the next 6 weeks.  With Joseph & Maren's car (can I ever tell how great a blessing that was?), I was able to shop around and find several cream colored fabrics.  So I got 4 different kinds, and created 4 very similar, yet each unique, blouses for me and my womenfolk.  (Sofia couldn't come because she was having a baby--he came two days before the wedding.)  Lots of good times--cutting out blouses on the big tables in our classroom, much sewing discussion with people, several hours sewing.  And ta-da, I had blouses.  The pattern is simple--and I like the blouse (I have another).

Here they are too many times.  First, with the mirror photo I sent as I finished each one.  Then with the proper models.

Me (pretty normal, at least for me! Same size I generally make--plus my model wasn't half-way across the country)

Laura would be 7 1/2 months pregnant (remember the wrinkles I discussed? more to come).  How in the world?! (Not paying $12 for a maternity pattern I didn't like.)  Fortunately, she sews, so she was able to tell me how to alter my pattern.  

Above: I have to include this one, because I was so intent on holding the "baby" in that I forgot to let you see the blouse.
Below: Oh, there's how it hangs.  I sure, sure, sure hope it's the right size for what she is a month from now!

Nancy's.  Nursing, so I need a bigger bust.  But she's not any bigger around than me anywhere else, and I don't want it be super saggy, baggy through the abdomen.  So I created the ties.  Which I'm trying (not doing so well) to photograph here.

Rachel: tall, skinny (I mean, "slender, she says") Rachel.  I got so excited about cutting out a small version that I'm afraid I made it too small.  Obviously too small for me.  And I completely forgot about making it longer!!  :(  sadness.  That's the joy of homemade clothing--they can be long enough.  Fortunately the pattern, as is, is longish, so hopefully it will be enough for her.  But I'm a bit nervous.  About all of them--and of course, I won't see any of them until 3 days before the wedding (and we'll be out camping).

Isn't it pretty fabric?
-----

Huge sigh of relief.  They all fit.  And fit the people, too  I almost forgot to get pictures, but at the last minute, late on reception night, I got some.  Plus there are the earlier ones while we were doing a million poses.

Wish I'd gotten her full-length.  She looked so good.

What happens when tall people take pictures of short people.

Better.

The singles club is dwindling. That's a good thing.

With the star!

I sure love these people!!  (And my missionary parents, missionary brother, and new-father brother.)

(So sad I have no pictures of W&L's 3 munchkins and N's Elaine (or Brent, for that matter)--they're much cuter creations than my blouses!)

p.s. This is clearly not really a post about the wedding--just my creations.  Good thing since I don't really have any pictures.  I was busy having fun and being the "acting matron" and stuffs like that.