This was a fun and relaxing day. The Linfield students came over for breakfast and then we prepared to go to the fabric store. It has been interesting to learn that Ruth has most of her dresses made. “Pret a porter" (ready to wear) is available, but not universally common like in the U.S. So Ruth had her seamstress come over and we described the sort of dress we wanted and she measured us – that is Barb and me and the Linfield faculty. The students had chosen to go with a different seamstress – the wife of the bus driver.
Then we all piled in the bus and went to the fabric store. We were most disappointed to see that the large one Ruth recommended was closed for a couple of hours until 2 p.m. Fortunately, there was a smaller one close by. It had a huge assortment of precut yard goods. Rather than buying off the bolt, you buy a chunk precut. The seamstress had told us that one chunk would be plenty for what we wanted made. There were so many gorgeous fabrics! It didn't take me long to land on a blue and gray fabric for the dress, another chunk of pinks and purples I liked, and a red chunk for a table cloth at home. It looks very southwestern, with petroglyph-style drawings. It will go great in our house.
Then we all came back to Ruth's house for lunch. After that the students got on the bus to go to Limbe. Our plan is to follow them tomorrow. So we had a quiet and relaxing afternoon. I even took a nap. In the evening Ruth and Raphael went out to a dress-up engagement (Women dress up all the time here. Just more so at night. Even in the day we feel shabby next to the color and style of the women's clothes. I can't wait for my new dress!) Joe and Barb and I continued to enjoy the quiet of the day.
I loved shopping for fabric. We went to a large store in Bamenda for most of our fabric but I wanted (what the Taylor called) Muslim Robes made. The fabric for the robes were bought in an open air market. Perhaps one of the most interesting experiences I had while in country.
ReplyDeleteI hope your dresses turn out great! Post pictures when they are finished!
When I was in Israel -- at the Dead Sea -- I bought a Palestinian robe which I wear around the house at every opportunity. We would like to go to Bamenda in the last week we are here, after the Linfield students go home, but it's so far. We shall see. Yea, it would be fun to have a fashion show when the dresses are all done.
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