Picture this – A wedding dress is lying on the table ready to be shortened at the hem.  It has layers and layers of chiffon, plus satin and tulle.  Someone comes up and talks to you and puts a black pen down on the table with the lid off.

It only takes a few seconds for the fabric to begin soaking up the ink....................

Can you imagine how you are going to feel?  I had that happen in one of my shops, although it wasn't a wedding dress.  It was a gown, and I had to replace it, because that is my policy.

So here’s the thing.  Never, ever, ever, ever leave a pen anywhere near your prepare table or your front counter, or anywhere near customers clothes or your own clothes for that matter.

I only use pencils around my garments.  I cut up scraps of copy paper that are no longer needed.  I cut the A4 paper into four long sections, and I use these for my measurements etc.  Because the paper is white a pencil is easy to read.

Happy sewing

Judith aka genie