1) fits me properly (I have an odd body with lots of, shall we say, "quirks")
2) is flattering
3) is inexpensive
4) is modest
... is pretty much impossible. So, as mentioned recently, my
We started with a vintage pattern that I bought from a thrift store for 50 cents.
First we cut it out of an old sheet - adding extra along all of the seams to allow for my womanly curves and give us a bit of breathing room for tailoring it ... (oh look! It's the anonymous R! Or bits of her anyway.)
(Don't get excited, this one's me.)
... then R mocked it up, in preparation for fitting it to me correctly. Fetching, I know. You know you want my socks.
After R added sleeves and fitted the prototype correctly I unpicked the whole thing. I then ironed the entire bolt of silk and left it with R, who used the unpicked prototype as a pattern to cut out my actual dress. She basted that together and I went back to her for a fitting.
Oh, don't I make it sound so quick and simple! This little exercise took four sessions of many hours, working around her family and busy life and my own commitments. There is real skill involved in this which is why I kind of dropped out of the "we'll do it together" plan and R graciously took up the slack so that it is done right.
And this is how I left my dress - in R's capable hands, being lovingly coaxed into a gown that will make me feel special at the ball. (With my painted sandals! And some bling! And my gorgeous husband!)
You'll just have to wait for the final reveal, won't you? I know, I'm such a tease. But this is as far as we've got for now and I really just wanted to do a post to thank R for her hours of time, her commitment to making me feel and look good for this special occasion, for her attention to detail and her patience with my stress and emotions. Thank you so much, R. It means the world to me that you are so willing to do this for me, so generous with your time and talents. You're one in a million and I owe you big time!
