Trish’s dressmaking adventure enjoyed a second very productive day on Monday.  She managed to meet with two dressmakers, one of whom she’s used before, and visited several sources for Thai silks.

Working with Bulan, her pink-spectacled assistant, Trish spent about two hours with each dressmaker, reviewing (and in some cases, redrawing) designs and discussing fits, measurements and fabrics.

After a morning at work, I caught up with Trish at Ratchata Designs, a cozy studio located just a short walk down Sukhumvit Soi 35 on the second floor of an old shop house.

Above: Trish, flanked by Bulan, talk measurements with Tui, owner of Ratchata Designs. 

Trish and Tui determined that for accurate fitting, Trish’s customers will need to provide a total of fifteen different measurements.  This will provide a much more customized fit, one that allows women of all different sizes to enjoy the designs.

So that clear instructions can be provided to customers, Trish asked me to take photos of all the measurements.  I won’t share all fifteen with you, but here’s an example:

When I left them, Trish and Bulan were on their way to Shinawatra Fabrics, a company known for its Northern Thai silk.  If the name sounds familiar, that’s because it is owned by the family of the former Prime Minister, Thaksin Shinawatra, who was ousted in September 2006’s bloodless coup.

I returned home to prepare some food for dinner.  On the menu: a curried Doi Kham butternut squash soup with ginger and coconut milk , baked chicken breasts stuffed with herbed chevre, a mixed green salad with organic avocado and peppers, and a homemade loaf of whole wheat buttermilk oatmeal bread.  A bottle of 2004 Penfolds Bin 2 Shiraz – Mourvedre was a wonderful accompaniment to the meal.

Upper left: Despite following the recipe, it seems there may be a bit too much yeast.  Or maybe the yeast is just super-active.  Upper right: The end result is a very full loaf.  Lower left and right: Doi Kham butternut squash before and after.

Above: Our table is set as Tawn and Trish pose before digging in.

Thanks to all of you who have left messages of support and encouragement for Trish.  I have passed them along and she’s thrilled (and just a little bit nervous) to know there is an audience.