83 Skirts and Counting

Yesterday's Sewing Bee with 8 teenaged girls from my local church was determined to be a hit...with lots of pleas for more of the same in the future. :) We had a wonderful time. I will post pics soon. I was so busy helping girls that I didn't think to take as many photos as I should. I apologize for that. We had 4 skirts finished during the Sewing Bee and the other four are very close to being finished. The girls took them home to finish them up. They all did a wonderful job, especially considering that most of them are beginning seamstresses.

Eight more skirts plumped up our Skirt count quite nicely. Plus, this morning I received photos of TWELVE skirts from Betty (cyclegirl). I also heard from two more new participants. Isn't that amazing! I've added these TWENTY (!!!) new additions to our count. Our current final total (just of sizes specified, not counting requests to help with no size declared yet) is...drumroll, please....

SEVENTY-EIGHT SKIRTS!!!!!!!! We are almost there!

Size 3T: 10 – DONE
Size 4: 4 Sewn
Size 5T: 10 - DONE
Size 6: 10 - DONE
Size 7 – 10 - DONE
Size 8 – 6 Promised/Sewn, 4 Needed
Size 10 – 8 Promised/Sewn, 2 Needed
Size 12 – 8 Promised/Sewn, 2 Needed
Size 14 – 4 Promised/Sewn, 6 Needed
Size 16 – 7 Promised/Sewn, 3 Needed
Misses Small – 4 Promised/Sewn, 6 Needed
Misses Medium – 1 Promised/Sewn
Misses Large -
Misses Xlarge – 1 Promised/Sewn
Misses 2X –

HOT OFF THE PRESS UPDATE!!! 10:08 a.m. April 16th AK TIME - Just heard from a donor who wants to finish off the Size 7s. We now have FOUR size categories completely done. UPDATED COUNT....83 skirts!!

A Good Time Was Had By All

Tuesday 6 women and 8 teenaged girls arrived at my home, sewing machines in hand, intent on sewing up a skirt storm! We set up machines and then sat down for a debriefing, a short devotional and prayer for both the girls sewing and the girls who would receive each skirt. When each understood their mission, it was time to cut. The cutting table quickly filled up and then we had girls, fabrics and pattern pieces everywhere! Down the hall, in the homeschool room, in the living room. It was a Layout and Cutting Minefield. Some of the girls had not had an opportunity to shop for fabric so they had a good time shlepping through my 700 yard fabric stash. A wide variety of fabrics were represented. There was a beautiful pink burn-out linen and an embroidered faux-sueded in a beautiful shade of turquoise. There were ladybugs and roosters and butterflies. There was a wonderful paisley print in warm tones, cut on the bias so it flowed beautifully. Pink and sage coordinating prints for a layered skirt. And a wonderful mottled denim blue with a bright calico. The floors quickly cleared up and the girls sat down at their machines. The room was soon humming. A constant line formed at the two ironing boards as the girls learned to do French Seams. Moms circulated the room, chasing toddlers, puzzling over instruction sheets and offering encouragement and assistance. After a break for some yummy munchies and lots of chatter, it was back to the machines and finished skirts soon began to come off the production line. Each was "introduced" to the crowd with appropriate oohhhs and ahhhhs and applause. We closed up shop in the late afternoon wrapping up the day with four finished skirts and four almost finished. I had a fantastic time.....and a sound night's sleep! LOL!!!!

Last Chance

This is your last chance to win the little Shadow Appliqued DoorHanger below. I will be drawing a name tomm. night. All you have to do is leave a comment HERE.

And life goes on....Party prep continues. I'm looking forward to spending time with these young ladies and their mothers, getting to know them all better. I'm cooking the food that can be prepared in advance tonight. Everything will be finger foods since we have to serve buffet style and eat on our laps. I would have preferred sit-down, but this is a working party and tables will be filled with humming machines! Here is our menu.

Menu
Sugar-Crusted Bacon Chicken

Miniature Quiches

Mexican Pinwheels

Spinach Pinwheels

Ham and Cheese Kabobs

Fruit Kabobs

Relish Tray

Chicken Salad-Filled Mini Rolls

Egg Salad-Filled Tea Sandwiches

Lemon Squares
Pecan Bars
Cheesecake Cupcakes (Cherry, Blueberry or plain)
Brownies
Assorted Bottled Drinks

Sugar Coma, anyone?

More Use What You Have Party Ideas...

Continuing party prep with stuff-I-have-around-the-house. :)

Bottles Aprons - Quick labels made from scrapbook paper, fabric strips and images cut from a vintage children's book.



Goodie Bags - Motifs popular in the 1930/40s fused to lunch bags using Heat-n-Bond. Embellished with rag strips and mini-thread spools.



Dress Up Paper Napkins - Yellow Walmart .94 cent paper napkins dressed up with 1930s repro fabrics in a posy motif. Fused with my ever trusty Heat-n-Bond.



Vintage Rivieraware - My mother's vintage dishes were pulled out of the closet. Their colors are perfect and will be used as serving dishes.



In case you were wondering, the mess in these pictures is NOT my buffet table. LOL! I just pulled out everything I had around the house and piled it on the table for consideration. My two sewing students get the job of "styling" the food service area. They were given the assignment of placing that mess and all the things I've made so far onto this hutch and trolley. I'll take pics on Tuesday after we get the food in place. They started playing around today and have done a great job so far!



Now...I've got to quit playing and start cleaning house and fixing food or I'll be starving my guests!

charity