VIM to ZIM

Sunday, Oct. 29, 2006 Five days to go. I’ve finished packing my two huge pullman sized cases full of sewing items for my assigned classroom. There is one sewing machine, yards and yards of cloth, lining, interfacing, five pairs of scizzors, assorted thread, lace, seams tapes, patterns, snaps, ribbons, trim, pins, needles, buttons, snaps, 120 zippers, tailor chalk, tracing wheels and more. As yet, haven’t found any tracing paper.

With the help of my sister and two daughters we’ve gone crazy shopping everywhere from Overstock.com, eBay, JoAnne’s Fabrics, Sam’s club & Goodwill to rummage sales, our own sewing chests, attics and closets. Whether or not the mission kids use this stuff, I’ve been having a ball.

When Ann Taber assigned me to the sewing room, she took away my dream assignment of rocking babies and playing games with the kids for two weeks. Still determined to have fun, I  couldn’t resist thinking about making wedding dresses. The idea simply “called to me”. This will be either a fun challenge or an embarrasment for me and my girls and their teacher. (You see, I’m already thinking of my assignees as “My Girls”.) Maybe all they will do is play “dress-up princess” and that’s OK.  First,  I bought some white silky satiny fabric, enough for one wedding dress (western style, unfortunately) and some other yummy fabric for one bridesmaid, adding silk illusion, lace, & pearls for a veil. I realize I mustn’t teach them “western” values, but this is for fun, and may be a way for them to make money someday. Besides, I bought plenty of bright colored fabric for more Africanized outfits.

Getting into the spirit, my sister and daughter came up with patterns & my other daughter in Phoenix found us two gorgeous, barely used, wedding dresses at Goodwill for $25. Oh yes, they are crammed into the pullman cases, as well. I wish you could see the pictures she took of my grandaughter dressed up in these things. Haven’t figured out how to get those online. Maybe later.

My own things have to go into one carry-on bag. I can do it, but am hoping Dave has a teeny bit of extra space. Maybe I can slip some things in with his bags full of hammers, saws and all kinds of hand tools for his handi-man projects.

DottieM