Seeing the clothes in Gu Mingyue's hands, Luo Haiping's eyes lit up. She leaned closer and said, "By the way, the textile factory is going to hold a clothing manufacturing conference soon. They said they want to select some good styles to promote."
I was thinking of asking if you'd like to participate since you're such a good seamstress. It would be such a waste to let such talent go to waste!
Gu Mingyue paused in her needlework, feeling both surprised and slightly tempted.
She looked at the fabric spread out on the table, gently stroking it with her fingertips, and said with a smile, "I'm pregnant, so it might be inconvenient for me to travel back and forth, right?"
Luo Haiping quickly waved her hand: "You don't need to go every day. Just hand over the finished product before the competition! I'll tell the factory, and they'll send the clothes over then."
During dinner, Gu Mingyue watched as Lu Lin put the peeled egg into her bowl and said softly, "Lu Lin, there's something I want to tell you. Luo Haiping said that the textile factory is going to hold a clothing-making conference, and I want to sign up to participate."
Before Gu Mingyue could finish speaking, Lu Lin put down his chopsticks, his eyes full of approval.
"Of course it's great. Your sewing skills are already excellent, and participating in the competition will allow more people to see them."
He reached out and ruffled her hair, then added, "If you need help cutting fabric, moving things, or threading needles at night to finish a project, just call me anytime."
Don't tire yourself out. Let's take it slow. Winning or losing isn't important; as long as you're happy.
Seeing the support in his eyes, Gu Mingyue felt a warmth in her heart and nodded with a smile: "I know, with your help, I feel much more at ease."
After dinner, Gu Mingyue sat under the lamp, stroking a piece of light blue soft cloth in her hand, still thinking about the competition.
Seeing Gu Mingyue sitting at the table lost in thought, Lu Lin wiped his hands after washing the dishes and came over, still clutching a few old magazines with curled edges. He asked softly, "What are you thinking about?"
Gu Mingyue looked up, her fingertips still resting on the spread-out fabric, and smiled as she raised her chin: "I'm thinking about the style of the competition outfit, trying to find some inspiration."
Upon hearing this, Lu Lin placed the magazine on the table and sat down next to her: "Perfect timing. I borrowed these from a colleague. They're all the latest styles from outside. Maybe they can give you some ideas."
The two flipped through the pages, and Gu Mingyue suddenly pointed to a picture of a light-colored dress and her eyes lit up: "Look at this neckline, a loose Peter Pan collar, it definitely won't feel tight around the neck if it's made into a maternity dress."
Lu Lin followed her finger and nodded in agreement: "If you make the skirt a little bigger, it will be easier to move around in, and it will definitely fit you well."
The two women sat close together, flipping through magazines. Gu Mingyue pointed to a picture of a floral dress and said softly, "I want to make a maternity dress that is both beautiful and comfortable, and suitable for other pregnant women as well."
Lu Lin nodded, pointing to another page: "This neckline is nice, loose and not constricting, it's perfect for you right now."
Gu Mingyue flipped through old magazines, her fingertips lightly tracing the fabric. Suddenly, she frowned: "Submitting only a maternity dress to the competition doesn't seem like a safe bet. What if it doesn't suit the judges' tastes?"
Lu Lin had just finished tidying up the spool of thread for her when he heard this and looked up: "Then would you like to make another one?"
Gu Mingyue nodded, her eyes lighting up: "I plan to design another set of work clothes. The workers in the factory always say that the clothes are too tight and uncomfortable, so I want to make something looser."
The fabric is made of durable coarse cotton, and the cuffs and hems are adjustable, making it suitable for both work and everyday wear. It's sure to be popular.
As she spoke, she picked up a pencil and began to draw on the paper, and the design of the work clothes gradually became clear.
"Look, there are two big pockets on the chest, which can hold tools and are convenient; there is some extra room on the sides, so that people who are fat or thin can wear it."
This way, there are both thoughtful designs for pregnant women and practical styles suitable for ordinary people; surely you'll find one you like?
Lu Lin looked at her drawing intently and handed her an eraser with a smile: "Your idea is very good. I think it's a good idea. If you need help cutting coarse cotton cloth, just call me anytime."
Without further ado, the next morning, Gu Mingyue laid out two drawn paper patterns on the table.
On the left is light blue maternity wear fabric, and on the right is dark gray coarse cotton fabric that was just bought from the supply and marketing cooperative.
She first picked up the scissors and carefully cut along the pattern of the maternity dress, pressing the fabric with her fingertips from time to time, afraid of cutting it crookedly.
The curve of the neckline, the pleats of the skirt—every detail was meticulously crafted according to previous plans.
After cutting out the maternity clothes, she turned to coarse cotton fabric.
This fabric is stiffer than soft cloth, making it more difficult to cut, and my palms were sweating after a short while.
When Lu Lin came home from get off work, he saw her biting the thread and threading a needle. Without saying a word, he took the scissors and said, "The coarse cloth is stiff. I'll cut the pant legs for the work clothes. You embroider your daisies."
Gu Mingyue smiled and agreed, then picked up her embroidery needle and began working on the light blue fabric.
Three days later, Gu Mingyue neatly folded the two garments, put them in an old cloth bag, and walked towards the textile factory with Luo Haiping.
Luo Haiping was also carrying the clothes she had made herself. She smiled and said, "My skills are far inferior to yours. I just made a very common floral shirt. It's nothing special, just good enough to get by."
Gu Mingyue lifted a corner of the cloth bag to show her two works: "I just came up with these ideas by chance, I don't know if they will meet the judges' standards."
Luo Haiping leaned closer to take a look, her eyes lighting up: "You put so much thought into this design! The maternity wear looks gentle and comfortable, and the workwear looks practical. It's definitely better than mine."
When they arrived at the factory's sample collection area, the two handed over the clothes.
The judge picked up Gu Mingyue's work clothes and looked them over, nodding at the drawstring and large pockets: "This design is very practical, taking into account the needs of workers."
Luo Haiping stood to the side, looking at her ordinary shirt, and quietly tugged at Gu Mingyue's sleeve: "I told you, you could definitely do it!"
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