Lace Dress Makeover

I posted this before and after on my Facebook but thought it might be of interest to some to learn the process. I feel silly doing this because it seems so obvious. But, alas, maybe it isn't.

The 5 things I altered were:

1. Took in 1.5"from each side seam, including sleeves.
2. Took about 5"off the bottom hem.
3. Removed shoulder pads.
4. Repaired lace apliqué in the collar.
5. Tightened all slits all the way to the waist.

To know how much to take off the sides, I separated the lace from the lining, and I placed a non-stretchy dress (since this dress is also non-stretchy) on top of the lining and traced around it. 

The tracing wasn't symmetrical, but the sewing is! ;)

This is also how I measured my sleeves. I took the same measurement off the lace dress all the way to the edge of my sleeves.

Believe it or not, my greatest mistake was washing this dress in hot water when I was done, because it shrunk like 4 inches off the bottom (unless I measured wrong, which wouldn't surprise me). My greatest challenge was stretching it back. It didn't stretch all the way back at all. Oh well. Still modest, I think.

Voilà. This really wasn't that difficult (in retrospect), I encourage you all to try this on an outdated dress you just can't get rid of! :)

Particularly Grateful

In my experience, home teachers can hardly ever give any help when they offer it. That is assuming they actually visit you and offer help. 

How many times have you asked home teachers for specific help, besides their fervent prayers?

The first time our home teacher Bro. A visited us, I embarrassedly got very emotional when I told him my situation with Gustavo working in Chicago. I hadn't seen Gustavo in 7 weeks and I was going desperate. I was drowning in paperwork, trying to read between the lines, and figure out the best solution for us. I would sob at work as I listened to love songs in my earphones. I was a mess.

Bro. A told me to email him a few details about my situation and questions, because his brother was an immigration officer in Calgary. I emailed him that same night and quickly got a response from his brother. He was only able to provide general information, but that was enough to guide us in the direction we are now moving as I sponsor Gustavo to Canada.

The second time Bro. A came over, his wife came along. This time, Gustavo was with me in Calgary. When I told Sis. A about our situation, she told me to email her my full name, because she is a flight attendant at WestJet and still had some buddy passes to give out! That in itself helped us save about 60% of the cost of the tickets! This has been great help as we take a huge loss getting rid of all our furniture and many personal belongings and trying to save for foreseen future costs. And she has been so wonderful, going online to check seat availabilities, prices, and calling me with all the helpful information she can get.

Living apart has been the hardest thing we've ever done. We're prone to think it's unjust, but we have been blessed immensely. It's no coincidence that Bro. A was called as our home teacher!

Both Bro. and Sis. A act in a manner that shows that serving brings them joy! They want to see Gustavo and I happy because that would make them happy. On their third visit, I learned that Bro. and Sis. A have also gone through the same situation. They lived apart for 6 months, until finally they couldn't take it and she moved to be close to him. You never know how your trials might prepare you to be a tool to bless others in the future.

What would be of us without generous, and loving friends?

To Meet You

To my incredible eternal companion.

Your Loving Wife,