When assumptions really mess things up.
So I needed an outfit for Joe and Shyna’s wedding (I am Joes honorary auntie) and as it was an Indian wedding I wanted to wear something respectful and appropriate and when do I ever get to wear something colourful and sparkly :D. Time, couriers, cost and dithering meant that I didn’t have time to have something made, but they offered the option of buying an outfit “unfinished” Now how hard could that be to just sew up the pieces, obviously unfinished meant at least it had been started. (not, as it turned out, a good assumption) I arrive Monday in Christchurch and the wedding was Friday and Saturday so I had a whole 3 and a bit days, plenty… I thought.(definitely not a good assumption) The package had been sent straight to Christchurch to make sure it arrived and there it was waiting for me at my mum’s place. She had opened it and quickly closed it again, everything was there but nothing was cut out and there was no pattern or any sort or a guide, just long pieces of material. First hurdle, find some sort of pattern, buy thread and start to hope this is not as hard as its beginning to look. Mum is a very good seamstress and I knew she would help me figure out what to do. (Not as it turned out a good assumption) After the first evenings discussion I realised that Mums short term memory is fleeting compared to my last visit, the same questions were asked and answered repeatedly, I was going to have to try and do this myself. Day one, I found what I thought would work as a pattern for one of the pieces and I got started. It didnt work, undo everything and try again, nope, try one of the other pieces with a different material, nope, undo everything, start again. Day 2, go shopping to an Indian store and try and find an alternative outfit, OMG how much! and it will take a week to be finished! back to spotlight and I found material glue. YAY!! The beautifully embroidered fabric was sheer, stretchy and unravelling as fast as I cut it. But I found some ribbon and with the help of plenty of glue I got the Duppatta (shawl)finished. Now just the Kameez and the camisole and the pants, no worries. Day 3 almost done on the Kameez, fast trip to Northlands and found a ready made camisole. Phew now to finish the Kameez. Ok we are missing pants/skirt but will have to worry about that saturday morning as fridays function is already starting
Saturday morning mad dash to Save Mart and skirt three sizes too small, safety pins and a prayer and its done.
It was a challenge and there were many times I thought I would never get it done, but it was also the longest time in many years I have spent working together with my mother on a project and we had fun. She loved the fabric and embroidery and although many things were repeated she gave me great advice and we laughed the whole time, at every catastrophe, at my crazy assumptions, at life, at getting old, at just about everything. I will absolutely treasure the whole experience.
The Traveling Kiwi 
You lot beautiful. Just an update Judy has been having health issues…again or yet how ever we look at it. Ended up she has had a hole in her stomach. They thought she wasnt going to make it for a good while. She is home now.Wishing you and your a happy holiday season.
Sent from Yahoo Mail on Android
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