In Stitches: Someone Who Can Sew

Writers: Nici, Estelle
Date Posted: 18th July 2005

Characters: Badia, Lindria, Argena
Description: Lindria and Badia have no luck with making their cushion, so they ask Argena for help
Location: Amber Hills Hold
Date: month 7, day 1 of Turn 3

"Well, I don't suppose we're going to turn that into an embroidered cushion cover just by looking at it," Lindria said eventually with a sigh. Her mother had given her the brightly coloured fabrics and threads, the needles and the scissors, and told her that she couldn't wait to see the finished project. They had put it off for as long as possible by chatting about everything they could think of, but now there was no help for it. She and Badia were going to have to do some sewing!

"So, what do we do with all this stuff." Lady Enriline had looked entirely too happy as she'd dropped off the cloth and threads.

"I've no idea. I was always given the mending to do, not the fancy needlework!" Lindria frowned. "We could cut out two pieces of this cloth the same size as a cushion, and sew them together round the edges. That can't be so difficult...can it?"

"Yes, it can," Badia replied. "I tried it at home and only ended up poking holes in my fingers. Fielton was...confused."

"Confused? By sewing?" After having been brought up by Lady Enriline, Lindria would have thought that most husbands would be shocked if their wives _didn't_ stitch away from dawn till dusk. "Why's that?"

"Because I'm usually concentrating on him, not bits of cloth and thread." She smiled at Lindria. "He's tends to be a bit arrogant in the belief of what a wife should and shouldn't do when in private with her husband. I'm still retraining him!"

"Oh, I see." Lindria grinned. "They do take a bit of training up - rather like Rufri did when he was a puppy. Luckily, like puppies...they respond to rewards."

Badia laughed. "What a visual...comparing Fielton to Rufri. At least my husband doesn't tinkle to make his mark....or jump on my skirts. Otherwise, this marriage business wouldn't have lasted very long!" She winked at the other woman. "But he _does_ respond well to rewards."

Lindria managed to contain her giggles with difficulty and focused on the pile of cloth and thread that they had to transform into a beautifully embroidered cushion for her mother. That wasn't funny at all! "Right, we must concentrate on this cushion. Let's see - if we just fold this piece of cloth in half and start sticking a needle in and out of it, we should soon have a cushion cover."

Badia nodded, then looked at the supplies in despair. "This is ridiculous Lindria...we are two relatively intelligent women--why can't we _do_ this?!" Undaunted she picked up a length of bright green thread and tried to get it through the needle with minimal damage to her hands.

Half a candlemark passed, during which many fingers were pricked and needles thrown to the ground in disgust after failure at the twentieth attempt to thread them. Lindria managed to get one threaded after a while - she'd had much painful practice with her mother standing over her - and began to sew up one side of the cushion in large, clumsy stitches.

"Well, that's one side done." She surveyed her work doubtfully. "I really don't think it's supposed to look like this!"

Badia looked at it critically and then giggled. "I've never seen one look like that..."

"We tried, that's the main thing. Now there's only one thing to do..." She got to her feet and bundled up cushion, cloth, threads, needles and all. "We're going to find someone who _can_ sew!"

***

"Hello, Argena!" Lindria breezed cheerfully into the seamstress's workroom as if nothing at all was the matter. "Has Lord Alalir been to see you yet?"

Argena turned from her large worktable and made sure to take the pins out of her mouth before speaking. "Lady Lindria, yes he has as a matter of fact. I don't know what you told him but he got here, with only a minimal bit of grumbling during his fitting." She saw the other woman and did a quick curtsey. "I'm sorry, I didn't know you'd have a guest!"

"Oh, that's all right. She's met Lord Alalir and...understands the situation." Lindria grinned. "This is Lady Badia, Hallmaster Fielton's new wife. Badia, this is Argena, who can not only sew beautiful gowns, but also manages to make my husband stand still long enough to be measured for new clothes. I'm not sure quite how she does either of those things!"

Badia smiled. "Well, pins can be quite dangerous as we've both recently found out. No matter how big the man, I doubt they want them sticking them if they don't stand still!"

Argena leaned in conspiratorially. "Aye...and don't go telling my secret, either!" She straightened. "It's very nice to meet you Lady Badia."

"And it's nice to meet the woman who sews such wonderful gowns. The ladies of the Hold leave everyone green with jealousy when wearing your creations," Badia replied honestly. She'd often seen the clothing the prior Lady of the Hold had worn and only dreamed of being able to wear something so grand!

Argena waved the compliment away, blushing. "Oh, it's nothing...really. I simply love what I do..." Her eyes narrowed when she saw the rolled up cloth in Lindria's hands. "What are you up to?"

"Um...a little sewing project," Lindria replied, embarrassed. She deposited the cloth on the worktable and unrolled it, revealing her clumsy attempts at stitching.

Argena's hands landed on her hips and she attempted to look stern. As always, when faced with Lindria's sewing attempts, it wasn't an easy task. "And just what is that, Lady Lindria?"

"It's supposed to be a cushion cover...Mama thinks we're going to decorate it with a design of a mountain view surrounded by vines. Well, she knows _I'm_ not going to do it...I suppose she thinks Lady Badia will help me a good deal. But..." She glanced apologetically at her friend. "Badia has never sewed before - she doesn't know how to embroider such a design any more than I do!"

Badia blushed. "Next time I should probably come up with a cover story that doesn't involve a talent I don't _have_." She bit her lip.

Argena chuckled, reaching for the poor mangled attempt at a cushion. "Well, this is not a cushion but it _is_ a fine mess you're in!" She shook her head. "And Lady Enriline is not going to forget this project..."

"No, she's not," Lindria said sadly. "I've never seen her so enthusiastic! I suppose she thinks Badia is going to be a good influence on me and turn me into a proper needlewoman."

Badia merely snorted at that and showed the woman the rest of the materials they'd been given. "What are we supposed to _do_ with all this stuff?!"

"Oh dear. Even brought you the supplies did she?" Argena sighed. "Well, in order for it to work, it can't look _too_ good or else the gig will be up..."

Lindria beamed, delighted. "Does that mean you'll help us?"

"Well, someone has to. It's obvious neither of you can help _yourselves_." The seamstress lifted the started project and shook her head in true amazement at the level of ineptitude...

"Oh, thank you! You don't know how much of a relief that is." She sighed. "I didn't want to disappoint Mama _again_ - and she'll scold me if she finds I took Lady Badia out on a long walk with Rufri rather than talking about sewing."

Argena gave them both a 'look'. "Next time, think of a less labor intensive lie."

Badia giggled. "So noted. I have to curb my creativity a bit I suppose..."

"I think we both do - just a little." Lindria smiled. "We've got away with it this time, but we might not be so lucky the next!"

Last updated on the September 7th 2005

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In Stitches: Someone Who Can Sew