Staying Focused

The last two weeks I have been focused on only one thing: finishing my granddaughter's Dedication gown. It has taken me months to get to the light at the end of the tunnel. I say that lovingly because while I have at times been scared, worried , and even frozen at some stages, it is truly a labor of love and one of the most exciting and fulfilling things that I have ever made. Next to sewing and embroidering my daughter's wedding dress and the other daughter's bridesmaid's dresses, nothing compares to this occasion.

Last week, I finished 6 gores and 6 godets for the skirt. The 6 godets are designed and hand embroidered by me. The 6 gores are heirloom sewn pintucks and lace work by machine. One of the gores is the center panel and I have almost finished the embroidery on it. (Must keep that photo until later.) I never realized how very scared I was of working the center panel until yesterday when I completed a very intricate part of the embroidery. I jumped up with excitement, laughing and enjoying the finished piece, when I suddenly burst into tears. They were tears of relief, joy and emotions that I had not realized were so deep. What JOY!!

So, today, I invited one of my daughters (the other is on vacation) to come over. What did we do, you ask, to celebrate my finishing a major step? Did I want to hurry on with the final completion of putting all the pieces together, gores, godets, sleeves, yokes , and more lace work? did I focus on finally seeing the end and carrying through?? NO...not this knitter, embroideress, designer of a few smocking plates, and gardener...no, we went to a yarn shop and bought more yarn for me to start on in my free time. That being said, I will post more photos as time passes.

Happy stitching to all of you, whatever your focus or passion is today.
Barbara