Page 74 of Threads of Kindness
“From what I see,” Joan said gently, “I don’t think you’ll ever have to find out.”
The basement was too dim for anyone to notice the color rising into Anita’s cheeks.
“Well,” Anita said, her voice brisk. “That’s all there is to see. I need to get back to the shop. Sunday’s bringing in the wedding dress she bought online for alterations.”
“Don’t your seamstresses mark the alterations?” Joan asked.
“As a rule,” Anita said with a smile. “But we’ve got a surprise in store for Sunday.”
She led them out of the basement and up the stairs, telling them the story of Sunday’s wedding dress misadventure.
“That was clever of you to get a photo of the dress she really wants,” Judy said.
“I love that your shop is going to make her the dress of her dreams,” Joan added. “It would be great to see her face when you give her the news.”
“That’s why I’m heading back to the shop. I told her I contacted other bridal shops in the state, and no one had anything like the dress she wants in stock. She’s convinced she has to make do with the one that was sent to her. I want to be there when she finds out she doesn’t have to settle at all.”
“You’ll have to work fast to complete it in time,” Joan said. “If you need another pair of hands to finish the work, let me know. I have free time—I’d be happy to help.”
“I’ll take you up on that,” Anita said. “I know what a fine seamstress you are, Joan.”
“I wish I knew how to sew,” Judy said with a shrug. “But I don’t, so I can’t help in that way.”
They were at the door when Judy suddenly turned back.
“I have an idea,” she said. “Something to help advertise the museum during the excavation—no matter the results.”
Anita and Joan stopped and looked at her.
“You said that vintage Singer on display at the library still works, right?”
“Yes,” Anita said. “It’s in perfect order. I still enjoy sewing on it, actually.”
“Is it a lot slower than the machines you use at the shop?”
“It’s slower, but not bad—just different.”
Judy took a deep breath. “This might seem impossible given your deadline, but what if you used the Singer to sew Sunday’s dress?”
“You mean bring the machine back to the shop?” Anita asked, puzzled. “Why on earth would I do that?”
“No—sew the dress right there at the library.” Judy’s eyes lit up. “I know seamstresses need large tables—I’ve seen yours at the shop. The library has lots of big tables. I think people will find it fascinating.”
Joan clapped her hands. “That’s a fabulous idea, Judy! Post a schedule so visitors know when you’ll be there. I’ll bet people will come just to see you work.”
Anita raised a skeptical brow. “It sounds a little like inviting people to watch paint dry.”
“That’s only because you’ve been sewing your whole life,” Judy said. “Lots of people haven’t seen a sewing machine in operation, let alone a vintage one.”
“The library might even livestream it,” Joan offered. “You know, like that eagle cam that was so popular. They could call it ‘Dress Cam.’”
“I think you’ve lost your minds,” Anita said, laughing.
“Judy’s right,” Joan insisted. “Even if you can’t sew the whole dress there, doing part of it would be great.”
Anita looked at the earnest, hopeful faces of her two closest friends.
“I’ll ask Sunday what she thinks when we tell her about the dress,” she said. “If she likes the idea, I’ll give it a go.”
