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7 November 2007

This was the day we had set aside for me to accompany Ginger on a fabric safari.  We hunted fabric all day long, until we were practically closing the stores down.  Then we sat in crazy traffic (who knew rush hour in DFW lasted from four p.m. ’til after seven?)  We came back to the house, where I had a quick appointment with a crafter who makes beautiful Victorian purses, and then popped back out for some sushi dinner.  All in all, it was as perfect a day for the two of us “twin sisters” of different mothers, as we could have hoped.

The fabric search itself was a bit frustrating.  We were originally seeking a deep red or burgundy jacquard brocade—a tone on tone, woven design of florals or vines, or leaves, or some other such Victorianesque pattern.  We found almost nothing that fit that bill, and the one or two things we did find were wrong for some other reason.  Back in the day when bridal fabric departments actually had something besides satin and lace, such fabrics were commonplace (as recently as ten or fifteen years ago) —not so, anymore!  So, we began looking instead at the options involving elaborate machine embroidery on silks and taffetas.  After many swatches from multiple stores, we finally chose the one in this photo, along with some amazing gold lace and some gorgeous black velvet.   I think Kelly (who is making the ball gown) will be pleased, and I know she’ll create something totally wonderful from it all.  And Ginger will be the Belle of the Gingerbread Ball. 

Now, I really have to get a ball gown made for myself! ;-)

~MB