Guidance From Beyond The Veil?

I am not sure if the events I am going to record were paranormally influenced or not, I will leave that decision to my readers.

It is not unusual for me to make clothes for our twelve-year-old granddaughter, Shenay, for Christmas presents. The usual 'menu' is shorts and tops. I had already completed six items for her before she came to spend her school holiday with us, having only a last pair of shorts still to sew up. I tried to do this secretly, so as not to spoil the surprise.

Shenay dropped a bombshell when she asked me to make her a dress for Christmas day (and not much time in hand) - she isn't usually a 'dress person'; more of a tom-boy. Naturally, I agreed and we set about rummaging through my patterns to find one she liked. Next came the task of selecting the material. Shenay was just so excited by the whole project and couldn't stop thanking me for assenting to make the dress.

Cutting and construction commenced. Shenay sat by my side, handing me pins, or withdrawing them as I sewed, showing great interest in every step. I was about 80% finished when disaster struck - the sewing machine jammed! The dress was securely pinned by the machine needle through the material. I tried switching off the machine, then switching it on again in the vain hope that it would right itself again. No such luck. Shenay and I battled for absolute ages, trying to free the dress. Finally, I took to Googling to see if I could find any helpful hints. With the help of Google, I did manage to free the dress, but the machine stayed firmly jammed, no matter what I tried. I broke down and cried, bitter tears of frustration and helplessness. The look of disappointment on Shen's face was evident, though she tried to comfort me. (Bless her heart.) I swore to finish the dress by hand if necessary, but Shenay WOULD get her dress for Christmas day. How could I let this child down?

That night, anticipating a sleepless night for myself, I spoke to Angel, asking for her guidance and help. Suddenly, a sense of calm came over me and I drifted off to sleep easily. At this point, I must add that I had inherited the Pfaff machine from Angel, my deceased daughter, Shenay's mother. Angel had been a qualified dressmaker/ seamstress.

The next morning I awoke before 6am. I practically leaped out of bed and raced to the machine. I grabbed hold of the wheel and turned it slowly, but firmly, in an anti-clockwise motion. It was as if my actions were being guided. VIOLA! The machine became un-jammed. I sent up a little prayer of thanks and gratitude. (Hmm... That was a slight understatement!)

By the time Shenay dragged herself out of bed, I was happily sewing again - much to her amazement.

The dress fitted Shenay perfectly and she wore it for Christmas day.

I must backtrack about a week or so to before the dress episode. I had discovered, among my pieces of material, a pretty pale apricot fabric along with a swatch of gauzy embroidered curtaining. I asked Shen if she would like a blouse made from these pieces, she said, "Yes, please". Together we worked out a design to incorporate these bits. The back would have a fancy panel, but the front would be plain - too plain for my liking.

Now in front of my sewing desk is a large open-fronted wooden cabinet. It serves as a storage place for my cottons, patterns and some material. On the left is an area for odds and sods which I rarely use. For some unfathomable reason I was inexorably drawn to this area. I knew I was supposed to be sewing, but I couldn't resist the urge to clean this area. I unpacked and dusted off plastic containers with lace and braid inside; reels of cotton long forgotten; hooks and press-studs. Right at the bottom, in a corner, I discovered the instruction manual for Angel's machine. For years I have been wishing that I had that manual. The machine has so many functions and stitches that I had no idea of how to use. I was so excited! In the manual it gave precise instructions of how to do appliqué work - exactly the type of thing needed to finish off a plain fronted top.

I made my first attempt at appliqué and it turned out pretty good. Shenay had an extra blouse in her 'Xmas stocking'.

Did I have guidance from beyond the veil? What do you think?