First Holy Communion: The Dress

First Holy Communions are a pretty big deal in this family. This year, I've already been to a few and my little lady's is coming up this weekend! She's been learning and growing in her faith and is so excited to take this next step. She's had Religious Education classes for the past few years, but this year, she seems to grasp it all.  There's lots of dresses out there that are really pretty, but I wanted hers to be a little different than those. It needed to have a special touch, one that was a little more personal. I wanted to create a dress, but since sewing up a dress from scratch is completely out of the question, I nixed that idea and nixed it fast!  What I could do though  was turn an ordinary dress into something special. I could do a bit of altering; takeing away a bit of this and adding a bit of that. 
I think God was shining down, because I found this dress on sale for $27.00!! It was the only one left and just happened to be a size seven! I snatched it up not having to think too long or hard on that one! The price tag was over $150.00 originally! I knew this was something I could work with. I removed the ties along the back(that I didn't happen to take a photo of) put them to the side. I could use them to make sort of a belt or sash and turn the dress into a one of a kind.  I dug deep into my lace stash knowing exactly which trim I was in search of. I had salvaged it from a shirt that I had stained years ago, knowing it would be perfect for something....  It's this beautiful delicate mesh with embroidered flowers. The trim hangs about six inches and I had at least a yard  to work with. I was able to sew it in tiers to so it would have a layered look on to the ties that I had removed and with a few hook and eye closures, had made a belt/sash/cumberbund.... not sure what you want to call it! 
I found a veil a few years ago at a flea market. It's delicate and falling apart. It's perfectly simple.I tied the dress with a pale pink silk ribbon and an old floppy flower. Now it's ready and awaiting her big day.

Now, I'm praying that my peonies will open by this weekend so I can make an arrangement for her big day...

Comments

[Diane]

This dress is absolutely stunning. You have made her day so special. I hope you enjoy your special weekend.
Diane

[Jill]

Absolutely gorgeous! I remember the fun of Holy Communion. Sweet memories.

[ellery]

What a special day and a special dress! She will remember it always....

[tabitha]

it turned out lovely.....I remember how fun the lil gloves and purse I had as a child. hugs

[Jill]

Hey Gabrielle, I was wondering, did you ever put together that Pinocchio-themed birthday party for your son? I remember you were really debating about themes one year and think you chose to do a circus theme instead at that time, but really wanted to do Pinocchio the following year.

Jill

[SuZeQ]

What a lucky daughter you have. This dress is FABULOUS. God bless y'all.

[{oc cottage}]

i wish my FHC dress had been half as adorable as your creation! WOW!

m ^..^