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Friday, October 13, 2017

Letter shirts ~~ finished

I mentioned on Pin It Weekly that one of my friends has a small shop offering letter shirts for college students. The majority of her business comes from Greek organizations, mostly from Phi Mu. 

 On Tuesday she fell and broke her left wrist. A trip to the ER got her a pass to today's surgery. Combine those two bits of information and you can probably figure out how her mishap concerns me. I sew. I mean I sew anything. I've made wedding dresses, knit garments, kitchen accessories, baby accessories, suits for myself and lots of other things I can't think of on the fly. So, yeah, I sew.

A trip to surgery (even "just" outpatient surgery) means you won't be sewing for a day or two. But she had orders that needed to go out right now. Guess who got the call? As I said on Wednesday, I've helped her before, so it's not a big deal. But she was in pain and a perfectionist, so it was a big deal to her. 
Upper left corner: finished shirts; upper right,
two fabric choices on tee; lower left, two choices
incl. the chosen geometric; lower right, my preference.
Lesson: don't make choices for clients!
Okay, okay, I stepped in. One of the customers hadn't made fabric decisions, so I pressured her with pictures of only a few samples and in no time I had the shirts, the letters, and everything else ready for production. 

 Except I sewed the letters on the first two shirts in the wrong order! TWO letters! backwards! Arghuhhh. Rip, rip, rip half the night--knit does not play nice. Resew the correct way and work on the other items. The delivery person had to pick the order up at my house to make her appointment; it was that close!

 So yesterday I went to check on my broken friend and encourage her before seeing the surgeon. More shirts. And a couple of jackets. And a couple of blankets. Hmmm, I have such a tough time saying "no," especially after I've already said "yes."

 Anyway, if you're going to help someone, you may as well see it through to the end.

 
 So the weekend will be spent in the sewing room working on her shirts. But I'll be in the sewing room!



blanket in gold 


 And a few more pics of the completed shirts. The jackets (in black) are still in WIP stage. I have to rip out the bottom hem before sewing on the applique. Otherwise the pocket won't open. The kids love that she always opens up the jacket and saves the pocket. It's a great place to toss a phone. 
two more blankets






When was the last time you got wrangled into helping a friend? Comment down below and, as always, thanks for visiting.

8 comments:

  1. KajaOctober 14, 2017 at 2:18 AM

    Looks like you've got yourself a full-time job!

    ReplyDelete
  2. somethingrosemade14@blogspot.comOctober 14, 2017 at 12:30 PM

    You're a good friend Mary for helping out your friend in her time of need. What you did was beyond my abilities. I only sew quilts and patchwork and don't do garment sewing at all (maybe mend a seam here and there).

    ReplyDelete
  3. chrisknitsOctober 14, 2017 at 12:30 PM

    My friend did a booth at Farner's Market. We are both knitters. She needed to bump up her offerings, so I went in on the booth with her and made project bags for knitters, or anyone who fancied a drawstring bag. I had fun for the most part, but that was pre-hip replacement surgery, so it was a painful summer of hauling, arranging, sewing, and standing on a bad hip! I am not sure I am willing to sew for sale again!!!

    ReplyDelete
  4. AnonymousOctober 14, 2017 at 1:48 PM

    What a great friend you are to just take on her work. I hope you get it finished and that she heals quickly.
    Adrienne

    ReplyDelete
  5. Mary MarcotteOctober 14, 2017 at 1:51 PM

    Thanks Adrienne, we've been friends for 25 years and worked together for most of those. Anyway, she had her surgery and is in pain but the doctor said everything is looking good for recovery. I just pray that she doesn't suffer too much with pain.

    ReplyDelete
  6. The Joyful QuilterOctober 14, 2017 at 7:24 PM

    Congrats! on your "new job" (and I hope for your sake that she heals quickly.) You've done a really nice job on these orders. I'm sure that the friend appreciates your help!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Karen SOctober 15, 2017 at 12:18 AM

    That is a lot of work to take on but you know how much it is appreciated. You only do it for friends who do.

    ReplyDelete
  8. grammajudybOctober 18, 2017 at 5:52 PM

    What a great friend, you are! I was a bit confused about your first photo, it wasn't Phi Mu on those pink shirts. Glad all went well after the first "oops" and hope your friend is healing and doing well.

    ReplyDelete

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