I remember soon after the “new” family began, that Roberta and I took on the ominous task of sewing matching outfits for all the girls (Roberta and I included) for the summer convention. A bolt of fabric was bought (a small floral print in azure blue and white) and a whack of white buttons and thread.

Much to the younger girls’ dismay, we were on a very tight time schedule so we found a simple pattern that was a cute little wrap around style with three armholes. They didn’t think it was fair that Roberta and I got to wear “normal dresses” and they had to wear “three armhole dresses”.

Nevertheless, come assembly morning, we all donned our new apparel. We all wore white shoes as well. Because we were in the parade, we never got to see the visual impact we must have made, but we have certainly never had so many comments made – before or since – on our new assembly outfits!

Needless to say, with the famous “hand-me-down” policy of large families, it took many years before we saw the end of that memorable bolt of fabric.