Sewing Out Of My Box...

I am not your conventional sewing diva.

There are no massive hoards of fabric in my home. 

No projects for later, no sewing task left undone.

Even clothes that need to be hemmed or taken in, go in a specific place on the floor area in the closet for a sewing day later on.

I have sewn since I was 5 or 6, and the entire contents of my fabric collection consists of left over pieces of fabrics from projects in case of repair, and fits into ONE under bed storage box.  Yes.  One.  In 30 years of sewing.

I am the type who designs things in my head, then to paper, then heads to the fabric store and usually gets pissed when I can't find just the right thing.    So, when I was killing time the other day in the fabric store and saw this on clearance in the home decor department.....

I felt this overwhelming urge to bring it home. 

I had no idea what I was going to do with it, or how much I would need for my little project, but there I stood, happily telling the sales clerk I would take two yards.

As I strolled the store with my newly acquired treasure, I started matching it to other fabrics in the store. Ironically, one of which was the fabric that I made my wedding dress from... and the game was on.

Patterns were bought.  Coordinating colors were sought out.  Zippers were selected.

Arriving home, I utilized the left over wedding fabric and got started on the top...

Not a bad start, but not a perfect match. Not deterred, I moved on to the skirt, and after a quick size up, attached the two together...

It needed... something... Ribbon!

Better, but still not just right.  It needed something a bit more...couture... Ribbon loops!

And maybe some custom flowers and buds...

Well, maybe not the buds...

As the hours wore on, it started coming together in my head as well as in my hands.  Not so much for my kitchen, as my creative genius is quite messy...

The finished dress is completely lined, and the hem has 1 inch horsehair braid within the seam to add a bit of puffiness, eliminating the need for a petticoat in August.  Here's the finished product... ironed and ready for my niece to wear at the wedding...

Not so bad for a girl with no direction or plan.

Now, for matching accessories...

....because she may be six, but she's quite the fashion diva.