Sunday, June 7, 2009

That's what friends are for


Anyone can tell you that you look bad, but can anyone but your oldest friend know exactly what to say to set you off?

Small pointless rant since the person I'm ranting at doesn't read my blog, or know that it exists (a person has to have some privacy, especially when ranting).

I finished all the work on the dress this afternoon during a marathon of hand sewing. I had it on and was in front of the full length mirror, trying to decide on a hem length when my housemate - and oldest friend - wanders past. I ask her opinion about the length, and she steps back and looks at me. And I can see it coming.

"Weeeeeell," she says, one hand on her bony hip (she compares herself regularly to a hippo, but I've got 30 lbs. on her, so that tells you). "It makes you look kinda . . . thick."

I wasn't asking if I looked thick. I wanted to know if the hem should stop above or below the knee.

But wait. She's not finished. "It must be the combination of fabrics," she says, and I can tell she's thinking hard. "This is your muslin, right?"

All together now. Deep breath, and . . . and SCREAM.

Okay, I'm better.

This isn't excusing her behavior, which was appalling and hurtful, but she's miserable. She hates her life and rather than working to make any of it better, she puts her efforts into bringing everyone down to her level. She wasn't always like that. It's kind of like a bad marriage; I spend a lot of time remembering the friend I loved, instead of the one I want to whomp over the head with my coverstitch machine.

On the plus side, the dress is done except for the hem, which I'm still thinking about. I really like it. I left off the belt loops because I'm thinking about doing the sash, either out of leftover bodice fabric or a chocolate brown that I have somewhere in the stash, but for the sake of the photos I added a belt.

Does it make Evelyn look thick?

30 comments:

Brenda said...

I love your dress and the fabric combo. Look thick? I think not!!! Can't wait to see you in it. Great job.

Josie said...

I love the combination of fabrics, the colours look really classic and elegant - and the white belt sets the dress off nicely. I seriously doubt you will look 'thick' in it. Don't let your friend drag you down.

Elaray said...

Evelyn looks great in the dress and I'm sure you will too.

Tany said...

I think it looks great on the dressform

gwensews said...

You are not thick and your photos prove it. I doubt that the dress makes you look thick either. Try to put the comment out of your mind and just wear that dress and feel pretty in it.

Lori said...

I think the dress looks fabulous.

joannely said...

Sometimes miserable people just want to share the same feeling with you and bring you down. They secretly envy your talent and giving poor comments makes them feel better about themselves.I think the outfit is very stylish and current and when you post a photo we will all be jealous!

Lisette M said...

It looks lovely on Evelyn! Let your readers help with the hem, sometimes a picture can give you a better perspective. Try it on, let us take a look!

Ruth said...

If you're thick, who's going to wear that lovely dress you made? Because it sure as anything doesn't fit anyone who's "thick". Your friend clearly was having some kind of psychotic episode - she lost touch with reality for a while. Has she got an eating disorder?

Don't join her in her psychosis and start comparing weights and so forth, just say, "I'm fine with the way I look in it. What do you think about the length?" But feel free to ignore her if you think she's wrong.

Personally, I'd baste it first at one length and then the other and decide for myself. otherwise, I guess your in for a whole new set of comments about your knees...

Nancy K said...

I love the dress and the combination of fabrics. I can't imagine that you will look 'thick' in it. Don't let her comments spoil your enjoyment of a very lovely dress!

Nancy K said...

Oh, and what is it with skinny bitches thinking that they are fat!

Sherril said...

I'm glad you know that she is miserable. Please don't take what she says to heart. However, I suggest you not use a sash. The attraction about this dress is the high waist and a sash will give it the appearance of a normal waist skirt. Find a tan leather belt and shoes. It will look fantastic.

meredithp said...

Well, I'm confused. I thought Mario was your housemate :-) I love the dress, and like others, ignore her and her misery. We'll be happy to weigh in on the hem length :-)

Little Hunting Creek said...

I like the dress especially because of the combination of fabrics. It does NOT make Evelyn look thick. It's pretty and I'd wear it in a heartbeat.

Carolyn (Diary of a Sewing Fanatic) said...

Okay...I'm only going to address the dress issue...the other I'm not touching with a ten foot pole! :)

Shorten the hemline...dresses with shorter hemlines are the norm now and that's what your eye is looking for! A shorter hem, a self fabric sash and you will be good to go!

Rose said...

I wasn't sure about this dress until I saw this photo of Evelyn. Now, I think it looks fabulous. Hey, your friend only has one vote and you can add my vote to the positive ones. In the end, your vote is the one that counts. I can't imagine that the dress makes you look "thick".

Omega said...

Your dress is very cute, I really like the fabric combination you used. It looks great on Evelyn and I'm sure it looks great on you. You won't look thick in it, I can show you thick. I'd say baste or pin the hem in both ways and go with what you feel looks best on you. I can't wait to see it on you.

CraftRage said...

I think this dress is frigging great!! I'd vote for the higher hemline.

cidell said...

Well, I never! It's NOT thickening at all. I quite love it as I said the other day. The fabric combo is awesome!

Dawn said...

Those damn skinny bitches! Hee hee, I couldn't resist, being a skinny bitch, myself. :) I really love the dress. It's your colors and I really like it with the skinny belt. I think that emphasizes your not-thick waist. Darn friends. I have one like that too who thinks she is being "helpful" instead of hurtful. And I love those pleats on the skirt.

Sheila said...

Thick... If I hear that word one more time... I ..... ah forget it...

Anyway what I want to say is the dress looks great and like the others agree it will look great on you.

Sarah said...

Oh my, no not at all thick. I was rather surprised when I read the text of your post - because I had been just looking at the pictures before that and ... well the comment doesn't match what I saw!!

KARIMA said...

Very lovely dress. Wear it with pride.

marysews said...

The dress makes the dress form look tall and thin (something I will never be). I think it turned out great!

susan said...

pack her bags .... seriously, if this is how it has been for a while and shows no signs of lifting .... pack her bags .... no matter how strong you are, negativity always corrodes .... perhaps she needs to be your 'go see a movie, grab a coffee, oh dear I have to be somewhere else' buddy, rather than a dear friend

Maryissewfast said...

Lovely dress on Evelyn and will look lovely on you. Sounds like the only thing that's thick is your friend's head! (Oops, was that my outside voice talking again?)

Kelly said...

Say what? I am a day late to this post... She actually said that? Is she blind? I think Evelyn looks very svelt and so will you. As I said the other day, the dress is beautiful and you will look very tall and skinny wearing it.

As for the hem.... maybe take pictures of it basted at both lenghts and see which one you like better.

k

Gretchen the Household Deity said...

I like the dress--totally your colors and I love the combo of the print with the lighter solid color. My vote would probably be for a knee length hem, but it depends on what it does to the proportions. If the bodice and skirt are then the same length, it might be better to wear it longer.

Unknown said...

Evelyn looks great in the dress. Without seeing it on, my first thought is at the knee - but you have really fabulous knees right? So how about just above? I love the fabric combination and a lovely rich chocolate would look great with it. g

Kat said...

Gosh, I think it looks terrific! No, it does not look "thick" on Evelyn. And I'm known for telling it like it is. Give that friend a space break if you can. Perhaps a little distance will make the heart grow fonder.