Wednesday 16 June 2021

WOYWW...

 Here we are at another Wednesday catch up with our blogging friends all around the world.  

I altered a gorgeous wedding dress at the end of last week....it was a really tricky one to do, needing 4 hems shortening and one of those was lace trimmed so the lace needed to be removed before shortening and then had to be sewn back on after.  I also had to make the bodice fit because it really didn't fit well or look as it should [and was really tricky to pin where it needed taking in]....the four seams that I had to take in were all beautifully bound so this had to be removed to take the seams in and then I had to rebind them after.  I must say it caused a rather sleepless night on Sunday as she was coming back for another fitting first thing on Monday morning and there was no way of telling exactly how it would look until she had the dress on.....I'm pleased to report it fitted to perfection [and I'm not sure who was nearer to tears...the bride or me!]  I do love it when a plan works out well.

From then onwards my week hasn't gone exactly to plan....the bridesmaid that was coming for a fitting on Monday contacted me to say she couldn't come until Thursday and the customer who was coming to have 3 memory bears on Monday didn't turn up and didn't even reply to my messages!!  I consider it very bad mannered but it seems to be the norm these days.  I then had a customer message me at 23.35 on Monday night [no, I luckily didn't hear it and didn't see her message until Tuesday morning!] asking me if I could make her 3 memory bears and a memory cushion and have them ready for Friday!!  Me, being me, and although I don't normally work on a Tuesday, as Theo is on holiday this week, I messaged her first thing Tuesday morning saying that if she could get the items of clothing to me straight away I would work my day off and get them made for her.......She didn't reply to me until lunchtime and said she would get the items to me today [Wednesday morning!!].  I explained that I have other customers booked in for today and Thursday.....I think some of them think I am sat here waiting for just them!! As they say watch this space!!

So, on my desk today is...


....one of my tops.  When you've lost 2 1/2 stone a few of my tops are needing adjustment so I never waste my time whilst waiting for my customers to turn up!!  :-)

That's all from me for today.  I have a bridesmaid and a couple of prom dresses plus a memory bear or 6 to do if they ever turn up this week....it's all a bit wait and see this week.

Hugs,

Annie x


14 comments:

Bleubeard and Elizabeth said...

That is one fancy sewing machine, Annie. I'd love to have all those fancy stitches, but I doubt I would ever get the hang of all those buttons (grin). Seriously, it's too bad some people expect you to bend to their terms, since you are an independent shop owner. She would not have treated someone like McDonald's the way she treated you. Of course, McDonald's would not be selling memory bears, but you get the analogy, I hope. At least you are making good use of your wait time. Happy WOYWW from # 4.

Twiglet said...

I hope your customers get their acts together for you - it is a real pain to keep you waiting. xx Jo

Catriona said...

Oh Annie-the perspiration was running down my back thinking about that wedding dress! Some friends and I were talking yesterday about lack of manners when you give someone a gift and not even a text arrives to say thank you! Happy sewing and motorhoming if you get the chance.

Lunch Lady Jan said...

It makes me cross when people don’t keep you informed about their requests, even if they change their mind or can’t make an appt it’s only good manners to let you know. Grrrrrrr. How fab to be making your tops smaller, well done!
Hugs LLJ 6 xxx

Neet said...

Wow and Wow again - on the weight loss. Hope you feel better for it. Gosh we won't know you.
How rude of those people with the memory Bears - hope you don't get this often.
Hugs, Neet 5 xx

Shaz in Oz.CalligraphyCards said...

Wow, Annie well done on losing two and half stone that’s a huge accomplishment, I’m still trying .. yes very trying, my mother would’ve said! ๐Ÿ˜‚๐Ÿ˜‚๐Ÿ˜‚
And yes feel for you so much in customers. .. who expect you to jump when they say, and have you ask, “how high?”. It’s a weird world, they think no one has a life but them. One thing though with a niche business they haven’t many places to run to for alternative makes.
Thanks for Sharing, God bless and keep you safe, and all those you love, hugs Shaz in Oz.x

{Wonderful Words of Life - Shaz in Oz}
{Calligraphy Cards - Shaz in Oz}

Crafting With Jack said...

Well done for losing weight. Customers can be so thoughtless. I have a question. Caught my dress in the scooter wheel yesterday and made a mess of the material which happens to be silk. I am thinking of shortening the dress to remove that bit, any tips on hemming silk? Happy WOYWW Angela #18

Helen said...

the cheek of some people! they don't deserve your hard work! the wedding dress sounds a real labour of love though. Take care and have a good week. Helen #2

Shoshi said...

I'm sorry you had such a frustrating time with customers this week, Annie. People can be unbelievably offhand and bad mannered at times these days, and show so little consideration. Your wedding dress alteration sounds quite a challenge but I am sure it was beautiful in the end! Many years ago I was commissioned to alter a genuine Norman Hartnell gown from the 1950s for a special ball. The skirt was pure moire silk taffeta and you couldn't pin it or it would mark. It had to be hemmed onto the lining. The bodice and the bustle on the back were made of ribbed silk velvet. I had to take in the Princess line bodice which meant taking it apart, and I was able to see the construction and skill of a real couturier - it was a huge privilege to handle such a garment - and pretty terrifying! The colour was a dark electric blue. The lass I did it for was absolutely thrilled. She'd inherited it from her grandmother. I was careful to sew it with pure silk thread to keep it authentic. On another occasion I altered a wedding dress for a young friend - she loved most of her off-the-peg dress but it had rather a fussy frilled neckline and she wanted pleats. It was a tricky alteration but it came out OK and she was very pleased with it.

Well done with the weight loss! After I lost all my excess weight I had to get rid of a lot of trousers because they fell down!! Not worth altering!

Happy WOYWW,
Shoshi x #8

Felix the Crafty Cat said...

I absolutely understand how you feel. I do think some people think that you sit there waiting for them to give you a job and you've nothing else to do and when you get the job you are going to either stay up all night to make it, they have no idea lol! Have a lovely creative woyww, Angela x14x

Tracey@Hotchpotchcreations said...

Sorry I am late today Annie, had hospital appointment with MIL, playing catch up now, I sure hope I don't wake you.. eekk.
Some people can be very rude and inconsiderate, your giving your time to make something extra special for them too, you have great patience and you should be treated with more respect. Your far too nice Annie.. One in a million.
Happy Woyww Tracey #9

Sarah Brennan said...

I can't believe the sense of entitlement some people seem to have Annie. I'll turn up when I feel like it and expect you to drop everything for me. Great work on the wedding dress. I remember my mum sitting up all night before my sister's wedding because the person who had made her dress had made such a hash of fitting it. She had to buy a new veil the day before as there was no rescuing the made one. Hope this week is less irritating for you. Stay safe and happy WOYWW. Sarah #3

Lynn Holland said...

What everyone else has commented says it all Annie, so I’ll just send you a big hug and hope that folk realise what a diamond you are.
I’m doing a lot of huffing and puffing here at n your behalf xxx

Susan Renshaw said...

What a week!
Happy WOYWW!
Susan #12