Morning. Timers set and off we go.
It took me a minute to get into this one, but I liked it towards the end.
Wednesday, March 12th: She picked up the scissors.
She picked up the scissors and tried to steady her nerves. She reminded herself that the pattern was sound. She had used it on the test material, made the modifications and then tried it on another set of test material to ensure it was correct. The time had come to cut into the actual material for the gown.
‘Just don’t think of the cost,’ she told herself. The price of the material, imported from the Kingdom of Geratas was worth more than anything she had ever touched. For the length of fabric she was working with entire properties could be purchased.
That it had been a gift to her mistress was an honor for the house. She like the others had swooned over the sight of it and the distinction it offered. Her mistress had served the King of Geratas well, saving his life and his throne. It was well that he was so effusive in his thanks.
‘And since Geratas makes the cloth it stands to reason they would use it as a gift.’ Gwen knew this and appreciated it. Honors given to her mistress were honors given to the house. Reflected glory. She just hadn’t realized that she would be the one tasked with transforming the cloth into the gown her mistress would wear at an event hosted by the Geratas King.
It would show off the cloth, proclaim the alliance and her mistresses standing. Every element had to be perfect. It wasn’t just the expensive material, it was the necessary perfection that made Gwen making secondary test garments before cutting into the cloth.
She carefully pinned the patterns into place. For the cutting, she had sealed the doors and would allow no one in. She loved working with the others but today, Gwen needed to focus. She cut out all the needed pieces and moved them aside, making certain to gather up the least little scraps. Every part of this cloth would be used. Nothing would go to waste.
When the pieces were cut, she began the slow process of stitching them together. She concentrated on each stitch making it fine and even. When her eyes and fingers grew tired and there was a risk of imperfection, she set it to the side and took a break.
The others knew what she was doing and while they grumbled at having to shift their work elsewhere for the time being, they understood. They also didn’t want to risk being blamed for any damage.
Slowly the gown took shape. As she put in the final stitch, securing the final row of delicate beadwork to the cuff, Gwen let out a sigh of relief. The task was done. She put her tools away and gathered the gown in her arms. Now complete, she would not rest until it was out of her space and safely delivered. Gwen took the gown out of the seamstress’ hall. She had it gently draped over her arms, carrying it like she would an invalid.
Others saw her and looked up. She made appreciative noises over the sight of the cloth and the garment composed of it, but kept their distance. Ahead she saw doors open in anticipation of her arrival. All knew where she was going and the value of what she carried.
Ten til Midnight 