A "make it work" moment

If you have caught only one episode of Project Runway, you've heard Tim Gunn encourage distressed, panicked, or woefully behind designers with these words, "Make it work!"



My "make it work" moment came yesterday.

I knew putting an invisible zipper in a wedding dress was a risk. They're made out of fine plastic coiling and unforgivably delicate. But I loathed to think of a lapped zipper on by beautiful, designer bodice and the top stitching it would entail. So, I took the risk for the sake of a smooth, sleek back that matched the elegance of the dress.

I delivered the gown to the bride not even an hour before her appointment to have her bridals taken. Insisting on helping her get into the dress (so that I could coach her on how to coax and finesse the delicate zipper), we made our way into the house.

There we were, standing in front of the bathroom mirror; the bride nervously cinching in her stomach with her hands as I pulled the corset tight and reached for the zipper pull. At that moment, the bride's sister walks in. Noticing that the small tug I gave on the zipper produced minimal results, she bumped me aside and said, "Here I'll get it!" Everything happened so fast. I think I was beginning to mutter "No, I'll do it," when I started fighting for the gentle words to say "STOP NOW!" "Sister" gave a good, hard jerk. I wanted to scream to stop it but it was too late. She ripped the zipper pull right off track in one swing. "Ooooh... sorry," said she. I immediately began fumbling to force the zipper back together. No results. Then I announced to the bride that I would have to sew her into the dress. I was offered metallic thread and a bent needle to do the job (from "sister").

It didn't take five minutes for the bride to realize that this would take me at least twenty minutes and so she got on the phone with her photographer who offered a one hour extension for their appointment. It was then decided I would run to JoAnne's for a new zipper (and seam ripper, and pins, and thread) and replace the broken zipper on "sister's" $50, Walmart sewing machine.

So it was done. Though the top stitching made me feel deflated and the sewing machine sounded like it was choking on bolts and screws, I suppose I've learned my lesson: Don't use invisible zippers in wedding dresses. Don't hesitate to yell. =)