Yard by yard, always stressed

[prissy_hooves]

Who: Rarity (prissy_hooves), Kreutzer (suicidoll), Aurora (forever_cheery), Carrie (promfromhell), Mirai (burdenbearing), Elizabeth (throneless), and whoever else has any sort of sewing or clothing making expertise and wants to help bail Rarity out.
What: Rarity has gotten in far over her head with commissions, and is now calling in all the help that was offered earlier.
Where: 7135 Brooks Street
When: All week leading up to the prom.
Warnings: May induce cavities or diabetes. Also action spam and threadhopping errywhere.

[Well, it's been a good couple of weeks since Rarity started taking commissions, and it's finally become apparent to her that she has taken on much more work than one pony can handle alone.  Feeling sheepish and a little bit guilty, she has finally decided to call back all of the people who so graciously offered to help her out earlier.  She's not used to working with others, so it'll be a bit of an adjustment, but friendship is magic after all, so hopefully all of them working together can beat the deadline.]

((OOC: Skipping the 'everyone arrives at Rarity's house' portion and cutting straight to the fun part.  If you've got a character who can help out with this, feel free to tag in with everyone else.  It's totally cool to handwave having spoken with Rarity previously about helping.  This is a free-for-all clothes-and-friend-making party.))

Comments

[burdenbearing]

[Mirai is seated on the end of the table that manages to be closest to the fabric and fairly distant from everyone else. She's brought her own tools and some scrap cloth with her.]

So, how are we going to do this? Does everyone start a different outfit, or we each do a part of one?

[prissy_hooves]

That's a good question. I've only ever worked alone, so I'm not really sure how to go about this sort of thing. I suppose there are good and bad points to both approaches.

OOPS threadhopping if this is the meeting part of the log~

[suicidoll]

I believe conflicts of interest would make the former a more difficult option. Perhaps it would be better if we each pick an outfit and see if we can finish it alone? They're already designed and it's a matter of following them through.

o/ that works!

[burdenbearing]

If they're all designed and we have the fabric, I can sew it! I'm pretty good at complicated stitches, you know.

[suicidoll]

Since Mayfield appointed me a seamstress job, I can take all the materials from there we'll need...though Rarity already has a lovely selection; it's an option, nonethelss.

Then we have a battle plan established, unless there are any disagreements?

[prissy_hooves]

By all means, feel free to use whatever you like from my own personal stock.

[suicidoll]

(Calling Kreutzer and her entourage of dolls cavalry would be an understatement. Let's just say there are plenty more extra hands to help around.

Kreutzer's trying to make sure her dolls don't get in the way of the other seamstresses (effects may vary), but as opposed to a migraine one would expect from such a task, she's actually happy enough to hum a tune. Oh, and she refuses to use any machines for her sewing. Complete refusal; if not by hand, then not at all!)

[prissy_hooves]

[Rarity on the other hand hoof has no problem whatsoever with machine-stitching. But to each their own! For what it's worth, she does seem pretty impressed that Kreutzer is doing all of her work by hand, especially without the assistance of any sort of magic.]

[suicidoll]

(It's what she does best; she'd argue that doing all of the work by hand makes each finished piece feel more personal, as if that were the only way to give it your all...but now wasn't the time for that. Rarity was already busy with those designs and really, Kreutzer would never say anything against her preferences. Machines worked well for Rarity and that was that!

The closest to magic she will use, however, are her dolls for added assistance. They certainly make up for a lack of telekinesis with how easily they can fetch things. It also allows for her complete focus on the design that's before her.

...however, complete focus means she forgot that the others can probably hear her outright singing now. It's a lovely voice she has and while her mun is too lazy to pick out a specific one, it's a pretty song.)

[prissy_hooves]

[Rarity gladly starts to harmonize, providing some backup while Empress flits about gathering materials and making sure everything keeps running efficiently.]

[suicidoll]

(Her harmonizing makes their duet seem natural as their voices synchronize so well.

Empress and the other dolls flying around with their materials provided a nice background while the two sang happily. Kreutzer pauses for a moment as her song draws to a close. Perhaps Rarity wouldn't mind picking up from there...

...art of the dress, y/n?)

[prissy_hooves]

[Why of course, darling.

With modified lyrics appropriate to the current situation, of course.]

[suicidoll]

(Of course.

Kreutzer will chime in with appropriate lyrics and harmonics of her own since getting swept up in the song lets anyone know when and how to join in, right?)

[forever_cheery]

[In front of Aurora are all the necessary materials - shears, fabric, pins, patterns. But she's not doing anything yet. She's staring intently at the items, concentrating hard, lost in thought.]

Hmmm....

[prissy_hooves]

Is everything all right, Aurora?

[forever_cheery]

O-Oh! Oh, yes, I'm okay! It's just that... [Looks back to the stuff, then back to Rarity. Her brow is furrowed in thought.] There's something familiar about all this!

[prissy_hooves]

Well then, why don't you give it a try, perhaps something will come back to you.

[forever_cheery]

Okay! I'll, um... I'll get to cutting this fabric!

[prissy_hooves]

Just let me know if you need any help.

[thepurpleway]

[Gakupo wasn't sure if there was an agreement with helping Rarity out. Knowing her, she probably thought she could handle it on her own. Knowing Gakupo, he'll help out anyway.

So there he is, arriving at the shop a bit early to her place to get a head start!

The doorbell rings!

And then he remembers he doesn't know how he will help!]

[prissy_hooves]

Gakupo! Oh, thank goodness. Please, come in, come in.

[Her nerves - and mane - are pretty frazzled at this point. So much to do, so little time.]

[thepurpleway]

...Miss Rarity?

[Holy Motherboard...

He steps in quickly, looking concerned.] Is everything alright?

[prissy_hooves]

There's just so much to do! I've barely even gotten half of these commissions finished, and there's only a week until the prom! Oh, Gakupo, what am I to do?

[Her horn glows, and her fainting couch suddenly slides in from somewhere, catching her as she flops over dramatically.]

[thepurpleway]

That is pretty bad...

[Oh hey, nice couch...]

I'm no expert at sewing, but I can definitely measure and cut anything you'd like! Just...please don't pass out.

[prissy_hooves]

[And the crocodile tears stop as soon as he offers his help. Rarity sits up, smiling.]

Really?

[She hops down from the couch, and it's back off to wherever she keeps it when she isn't fainting dramatically on it.]

Oh, Gakupo, thank you so much!

[thepurpleway]

You're welcome! I did offer before...I think...

What do you need me to do?

[prissy_hooves]

I've got some patterns all laid out in the workroom, if you'd be so kind as to help me get the pieces cut out.

[thepurpleway]

Yes, ma'am! [He salutes and heads off into the workroom. He knows where it is from before.] How many commissions do you have?

[prissy_hooves]

A... dozen or so.

[thepurpleway]

...well, we had better get started then! [A dozen...he hopes he doesn't get droned for not being home often enough!

He takes up a pari of shears before looking to her.] What would you like me to cut first?

[prissy_hooves]

That one, over there.

[Pointing a hoof at one of her projects in the corner. It looks to be a suit jacket in the making.]

[thepurpleway]

Sure thing! [He goes over and takes up the material before starting to cut up the necessary patterns carefully]

How many do you plan to complete today? [Gakupo is already calculating how many they would need to finish each day, but wanted to know what Rarity thought.]

[prissy_hooves]

((OOC: I counted, she had 18 requests total. That would have meant making one a day by herself if she started right away, which she didn't since she had to take a day or two setting things up. It's been about two weeks as of this post. So I'm not really sure how much is reasonable to say she finished on her own at this point, especially since she'd probably be working on all of them piecemeal and simultaneously rather than one at a time.))

About half of them are in various stages of completion, so I'd say... three a day, barring any last-minute alterations. That would give the customers just enough time to pick them up before the event. So perhaps it would be better to aim for four a day.

[thepurpleway]

(ooc: oh, Rarity...you're swimming in commissions!)

With me helping out, the time may be reduced to at least half a day. Then there would still be extra time for the alterations. [Continues cutting fabric.]

[prissy_hooves]

Yes, that would be ideal. There are some others coming by later as well.

[thepurpleway]

Hmm? Later today?

[prissy_hooves]

And over the next several days, yes. Quite a few people offered.

[thepurpleway]

That's great to hear! [He gives her a knowing, sly look.] You see~? Getting a bit of a helping hand is a good thing!

[prissy_hooves]

On occasion, I suppose.

[thepurpleway]

[Crosses his arms and gives her a look that said 'really?']

[prissy_hooves]

I'm just not used to having to accept help in order to finish my work on time. But I suppose Mayfield is far more populous than Ponyville, so it's to be expected. I... think it may be a bit of a pride issue. I do apologize - I don't mean to imply that your assistance isn't appreciated, Gakupo.

[thepurpleway]

No, I can completely understand that. I get that way myself when it comes to performing and music. [Smiles softly] I never got that implication from you, Miss Rarity, so don't worry about that.

[prissy_hooves]

Well, that's certainly a relief. I know I have a tendency to get... a bit fussy every so often.

[thepurpleway]

When dealing with other people's orders, there's nothing wrong with being fussy. Making sure customers are satisfied is important, so they can keep coming back.

[prissy_hooves]

Yes, exactly! You do understand!

[thepurpleway]

I did say so! My fans are crucial for music sales and gaining popularity. Treating them well will benefit everyone, including myself, in the end. It makes things more fun, as well.

[prissy_hooves]

Yes, that makes sense. Keeping your customers happy is the foundation of any successful business venture, after all.

[thepurpleway]

I'm sure people will come back to you for more creations!

[prissy_hooves]

There's no doubt in my mind.