It is finished!

As I said, this has only been a blog-vacation not a true vacation. I have been working hard in several other areas; like at my lab, in my garden, on my tan etc. I have also spent several hours working on my colleagues wedding dress, and now all the hard sowing is done!

I believe I have in total spent 1 hour taking measurements, 2 hours converting the measurements to a paper pattern, 2 hours making the paper pattern in to a finished test dress, 1 hour making changes on the pattern from changes wanted on the test dress, 2 hours making the first version of the underdress, 1 hour getting input on the dress, 1 hour changing it, 1 hour putting on the tulle, 6 hours trying out the attachment of the fine outer silk, 1 hour sewing it down and finally 2 hours putting on the flowers (with pins), sewing on some hooks, and making a pillow for the rings. I am sure all these time measurements are understatements, and not including all the time the dress has been progressing in my mind.

What did it make, 18h? Yes, I am sure it is an understatement, probably closer to the double to be honest. And still, what is left now, is to by hand sew on all the pretty flowers (around 40) with small yellow beads in them. That will definitely consume another few hours. And finally I will make small tulle bags for the rice. There'll be 120 guests, will I be able to make that many bags though? Sounds like so many. But of course, they'll be very simple, and I cant think each will take more than 3-4 minutes, but this then adding up to quite a few hours. I have to push it down to one minute per bag =).

However, don't get me wrong. When people these time-busy days say I have spent this and this many hours working on it, it is usually an expression of how horrible it was. This is probably as far from my feelings for the dress as it possibly can get. I have really truely loved doing it. I have been frustrated and annoyed when things didn't go the way I wanted it to, but finally it has all come out perfect in the end. It is such an hounour helping out with a project like this. I have learnt so incredibly much about sewing (autodicactically, obviously), e.g. that it is actually called 'sewing' and not 'sowing' in english.

The bride to be was here yesterday trying the whole kit on; dress, veil, necklace, shoes. And she almost cried how happy she was with it. Isn't that amazing? To be allowed to contribute to someones complete happiness, it is so rewarding and wonderful! I will not publish any pictures of the marvel until after the wedding. Not that I think her husband to be will by chance surf by my blog, but still. You can never be to careful, and he is very superstitious about these kinds of things. Best to wait. It will be here by the end of august, when the wedding is over, and I am back from the wedding/holiday in Austria. You have to check it out then, promise!