It took me two years to make this little sundress. Rather, it took me two years to understand the French pattern, and, no, it wasn't a language problem. It wasn't even a pattern problem (as I complained about here - sincere apologies to the author, Astrid Le Provost!). It was entirely my problem: for two years, each time I got the book out, traced and cut the pattern for La robe à bretelles,* and even went as far as cutting fabric and sewing the bodice, I hit a spacial-cognitive hurdle. For two years, in fact, I mistook the armhole for the neckline: no wonder the pattern didn't work! Then one day a couple of weeks ago, when I was yet again battling with the same French pattern, I had an epiphany: I turned the pieces 45 degrees, and voilà, there was the bodice I'd been struggling with for so long!
I was so elated and amused that I had to pick up the phone to share the news of my discovery with someone, and I called my friend. He'd just finished installing the first toilet in the house he's been building for the last 15 years, and was having his own epiphany moment, and from his silence at my news, I gathered that he considered that taking 15 years to install a toilet was more of a momentous epiphany than taking two years to figure out a French pattern for a girl sundress.
But who's to say? I know that those of you who've struggled with sewing patterns that just "couldn't be made", will agree with me that making the impossible in the sewing department is an epiphany indeed.
* I've added this dress to my Tool Box, in the French sewing basket - the pattern comes from this book, the red gingham fabric and the cute daisy ribbon are something I found at our local street market.
