In Wedding Mode

I got to spend this afternoon with my fabulous sister-in-law and her wonderful future mother-in-law.  Today was the first fitting for her wedding gown, and she looks stunning in it.  Looking at dresses in the store and talking about hair got me excited about the projects I have to finish before the big day.  I'm making my bridesmaid dress (this, only sleeveless) and my daughter's flower girl dress (the green one, but with a neutral sash)

A few months ago I ordered the book Fit for Real People after reading about it in a set of McCall's pattern instructions.  It is fabulous.  I can't wait to put the tips I've read about into practice.  I got out my daughter's pattern first since it's more complicated and will take more time.  However, I haven't a clue what size to make her.  A) the wedding isn't for two months; I have no idea if a growth spurt will hit, what direction it will go or how far.  B) I can't find the finished garment measurements ANYWHERE on the blasted pattern.  The outer envelope says it's on the pattern tissue, but damned if I can find it.  So, I cut out all the pieces and attempted to tissue-fit the bodice on my daughter.  Getting a two year old to wear paper clothes with straight pins in them is not fun. Or easy. I think I got a good read on what size I need to make, but I'm going to wait a little longer to cut the pieces to a size.  It's really important that I get the size right; it's not like I can take it to the store and exchange it at the last minute.  For now, I've employed my giant piece of cardboard as a pattern piece holder.  I'm hoping over a few days the lines in the pattern tissue will drop out somewhat.

I love this piece of cardboard. This is the fifth project I've used it for this year.  My favorite thing about it is that the sides are already creased to fold to the front and it stores half its size, but with enough depth that my project stays nice.  I've done two quilts and a painting on it.

And here's an update on the current sock project.  One down, one to go.  I tried a few rows of the Basket Check pattern I mentioned before, but with striped yarn - especially these Easter egg colors - it was just not going to work out.  So I went to a straight stockinette stitch for the leg and foot.  I went ahead and used the Eye of Partridge stitch on the heel that the pattern suggested.  I really like the way the texture looks, and I think I might use it on some mittens. (So excited about this mitten book that I picked up the other day!)

To do this week: Make final decisions about bridal shower cupcakes and create the pieces.  Finish non-crafting projects I committed to.  Not knit.  I have no time to knit.  Must... finish... other things... first...