The Prom Dress... creating my first pattern.

My dear momma made sure I learned how to sew a few stitches when I was just a little girl.  She enrolled me in my Aunt Carolyn's 4H sewing class where the group learned how to sew pocket aprons.  Somewhere along the line I practiced terrible skills as I sewed a pair of pj's, shorts, skirt, and jumper. Some I loved.  Others I promptly threw away.  Years passed and I now have a beautiful daughter that is as picky and hard to fit as I once was and she is now dating age and attending school formals.

She was asked to attend Kuna's prom by a guy she kinda liked.  The dress "had to be" specatcular, modest and fit her like a glove. After marathon shopping for 10 hours and finding nothing that wouldn't need major altering, I turn to her and utter words I was sure to regret... "We'll have to sew one."

Did-I-really-just-say-that???  I peek at her hoping she was turning her nose up at the idea only to find absolute joy on her face... UGH!  I got myself into a fix for sure.  With 15 minutes left until the local fabric store closed, we rushed in; while I looked at patterns, she found material.  Within seconds she plops down two fabrics that are completely different colors... yellow with a sheer coral overlay.  Then quickly she told me none of the patterns I had found would work.  She grabbed a pencil and paper and sketched out her "dream" dress. I didn't love the fabric, and wasn't sure about creating a pattern, but I was tired.  In a weak moment, we purchased plenty of fabric and left the store as they were shutting off the lights.  It is late.  We are tired.  But we have a plan!

As the days follow, Kalli is busy with school and obligations, so I busy myself creating pattern pieces; hoping it will all go together.

 Next I realize I need some way to see how it is coming together, so I borrow my friend Gale's dress form so I can fit it while Kalli is at school.  Adjust the sizes to her measurements (as small as it would go, but still a little bigger than her), and begin sewing the lining:

There are 4 layers to this dress:  Overlay, fasion fabric, tool, and lining.  One layer at a time and multipule seams, it starts coming together.

 

All pinned onto the dress form. Ready to make final adjustments, put in the zipper and add embellishments.

Ready for her date to pick her up.  Isn't she beautiful!  Now that the dress is done, I LOVE IT!!

 

Her wonderful friends came to see her pretty dress.

 

Add some bling...

With her dad.

Then her date comes and sweeps her off her feet.  She is completely modest and won't have to worry for one minute about her dress fitting wrong.  She can spend the entire night just having a good time.