Yesterday was “quilting night”, when a group of crafters gets together to quilt, embroider, or do whatever other craft project we feel like.  I had been putting off the hard press of the dress fabric because it’s so bloody boring, but I figured that, with other people to talk to, maybe I could get it done.

So I went, and I got the first hard press finished.  The fabric now has a lovely satin glow, and a better drape.

Alas, I decided to go a little further with the 2-yard “sample”, and ironed it two more times, once on the private side and one more time on the front side.  And yes, Laura Fry is right: multiple presses do improve the fabric!  The thrice-pressed fabric is noticeably glossier, more solidly white, and drapier than the once-pressed fabric.  Enough so that I want to go back and do the entire piece three(!) times.  So I will probably do it at the next “quilting night”.

Another pressing, though not iron-related, problem: my sewing machine gave up the ghost yesterday!  The shop said it couldn’t be repaired – or rather, it would cost $150+ to repair it, which is getting close to the cost of a new machine.  Mike is going to try repairing it himself over the next few days, but if that doesn’t work, we’re talking a new machine.  Fortunately, I found someone to loan me a machine so there is no immediate crisis, I can take a week or two and shop around, if it turns out I need to buy one.

Finally, I discovered that my new top choice for wedding locations (Rockefeller Lodge) is already booked for most of June.  Fortunately, they do have some of the times we would be interested in, but it does raise the urgency somewhat.  Mike and I are going up to look at it on Saturday.