Midnight Garden - Q/A's

Inquiring Minds and the Million Dollar Question

I got some interesting responses to yesterday's post. First, let's talk about that clash outfit. Yes, my students thought it was quite something. They weren't dressed much better. I did have one student who hadn't seen the shoes until I stepped around the desk at the beginning of 3rd hour to start my Biology lecture (on the large intestine and gastrointestinal health - fantastic topics, huh?) and really gave me a strange look. I had to ask why and he said he hadn't seen the shoes until just then. They were comfortable, at least!

Second, thank you all for your sympathy and support over the waistband. I do have a plan B (and a plan C and D as well!). I'm thankful that through some of my own mistakes, some of you can gain some inspiration. (Shorty, you're more than welcome to the quote!) I think I learn more from the failures than the successes.

Anyway, the first question comes from Cidell, aka The Queen of the Night (check out her gown, really, she's beautiful!). Cidell had this to say, "I was wondering why the bound buttonhole shred. Is it just the kind of fabric you are using? Enquiring minds want to know. " It shredded because I clipped the little triangle too close to the stitching line before turning. I think when I turned it and subsequently yanked, tugged and over manipulated the lips of the buttonhole into place it came loose. I used the same method that I used for the red trench, so they *looked* good and I didn't discover the shred until a few days later. Added to that is the fact that silk dupionni can fray, and always when you don't want it to! Lesson learned: Be careful!

Now for the million dollar question! From the lady known for her thought provoking and self-introspective questions on her blog, comes this question from Carolyn: "When do you have to have Midnight Gardens finished for submission?" LOL. Well, let's see. I have two submissions due, one Jan. 4 and the other Jan. 11. Between all the holidays and thus postal holidays, let's just say that it needs to be pretty well done and able to be photographed by Christmas. Alright, I can hear the collective sucking in of breaths. I know that's, what, like 2 1/2 weeks away? Yes, I'm well aware of that fact and I have a plan. You see, today I finished the appliqué, and I quilted the cuff facings. By Monday the collar and front facings will be quilted, leaving me only to put together the whole jacket and fix the skirt. Well, and do all the beading too, but I'll see how much I get done of that before I have to take the photographs. I *will not* do an all day beading session like I did with Waiting for Spring. Remember that? I had a major headache and literally couldn't see at the end of the day. I still have to make the blouse, too, but it is a very easy pattern, and the muslin is already done.

BTW, I did get an email today from the International Quilt Festival with a request to have American Beauty as part of an winner's exhibit at the International Quilt Festival shows in Chicago in April 2008 and Long Beach, CA in July of 2008. Since American Beauty's last show will be in January, I'll send it off for these two shows. If you're in the area and can go to the shows, stop by and see it. More information on the Chicago and Long Beach shows can be found here.

Parting Shot: Advent Stockings! When my daughter was very little, I made a set of felt advent stockings in white and several shades of blue, each one big enough for two pieces of candy. They all hang on a small tree in her room, and every night the children get to take one stocking off and eat the candy. Once they're gone, it's Christmas!