This past August, after 8 years of ups and downs, my daughter's father and I were married. We kept everything simple by only having one attendant a piece and just requested that all (40) guests wear our wedding colors, black or black and white, as we considered them to be our support and help throughout our journey to this point. Our "parents" were allowed to wear gold if they were walking with us. Since we planned the wedding in about 6 weeks I only had time for one handmade item and I knew that I wanted it to be my daughter's ensemble.
My daughter LOVES to dance. At any event or function possible and even when it's not a place to dance she will get down with the get-down. As the miniature bride, I knew that I wanted her to have a dress just a gorgeous as mine, but I also knew that I didn't want to see her pretend break dancing in it and break her neck. Also, if you know anything about a 5 year old and all white, well, let's just say I didn't want all my hard work to be ruined in one day. So, I took to the internet for a solution.
I have had the
Violette Field Threads Haven pattern for about a year and I have been dying to make one for my daughter. Haven is a romper and dress pattern and how fitting because I needed the exact same thing: a romper and a dress, just at the same time
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| Photo Credit: Violette Field Threads |
I searched their pattern group for hacks and tutorials until I found
Cassie's version from a previous Top Stitcher's season with a detachable skirt. Don't you just love the waistband details? This lady has SERIOUS talent. So, thus armed, I had my game plan. Note: the
Top Stitcher's competition is now run over
here at Sewing Stadium.
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| Photo Credit: Lily Shine Boutique |
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| Photo Credit: Lily Shine Boutique |
I started with the
Haven Pattern for the romper version and chose my bodice and shorts fabric. I loved this one textured bridal fabric and lace from
Joann Fabrics and I chose a suitable special occasion black fabric similar to silk dupioni from them as well. I also bought 5 yards of some tulle that had little droplets that sparkled on in for the outer layers and a bolt of white tulle for the bottom layers.
I tried putting snaps in the seat of the romper, but apparently, snaps get old and they didn't hold well. I think I ended up sewing it together and just making sure she went before and after the ceremony. My daughter is abnormally small so, making something for her for the first time is usually nerve-wracking, but how much more so when it's the day of your wedding!? I'm pretty much convinced that I'm a crazy woman. Nevertheless, I enjoyed every minute of the whole process.
Especially, dressing up my baby doll and spending time together before the wedding. The raised design on her bodice looks like my dress embellishments.
To get the fluff that I wanted for the overskirt I used 3 different gathering methods on a total of 6 layers of tulle each 5 yards long. I lined the skirt and despite my best efforts to make it have a hook and eye closure I ended up with a ribbon sewn waist that tied to save on time. (I was sewing up until it was time for me to get ready!) I'm still determined to redo that part.
She took her walk down the aisle and to her dad seriously. He's the one grinning like a fool in the background. My daughter was utterly enchanting in this dress and apparently she thought that she was a princess because she carried around the top layer like this the whole time.
To my knowledge, she had a pretty good time. Everything was such a whirlwind I could hardly keep up with her. Here she's taking a whack at the pinata and dancing in her "transformed" wedding attire.
I have to say that this is one of y most memorable sews and definitely holds a special place in my heart. Maybe one day I'll be making her wedding dress but who knows, some things may be beyond my abilities, but I have plenty of time to learn.
