I have spent nearly the entire day laboring over a dress for my daughter.
Although Jane won't know the difference, I really wanted to establish the set of holiday traditions I enjoyed in my childhood, one of which included a new handmade dress every Easter morning.
Anyone who knows my family knows I am the crafty dud of the bunch. For years, my sisters and Mom have been telling me "you should sew, it's very simple."
With this thought in mind, I headed to the fabric store this past Wednesday. Sure, I purchased a dress, but I decided to keep it as a fail safe.
I call my Mom along the way and tell her my plan. "Excellent," she said. "You'll love it. It will be so simple."
I bought the fabric, other necessary tools and a pattern. I specifically chose a pattern that said "easy"
photographic proof
and told my Mom she would need to be on stand-by.
But I should have sensed a disturbance in the force when I had to return to a craft/fabric store FOUR more times in the course of 3 days.
This pattern was not easy. It not only had sleeves, it had puff sleeves. There was a lining, a gathered skirt and let's not forget the invisible zipper -- all for a small toddler.
In addition to this, sewing is not simple. I don't know what my Mom and sisters are talking about.
I logged more hours than I care to think about frantically calling my Mom today. She lovingly answered all my questions patiently, but as she sat there explaining some technique I was to do, I thought "is she speaking English? Surely not. This most be Klingon." (Yes, I fully admit to being a childhood Treky, thanks to my Dad.)
In the end, I finished the dress. Because I don't say I'm going to do something and then just not do it.
But now I know. Anytime the women in my family tell me a craft is easy, I must remember that it is akin to my Dad telling me I can easily "interpret the immunoperoxidase stains." (English? No, definitely Klingon.)Now if you'll excuse me, this Bunny must hop. It may be midnight, but there is oh so much more to do.
7 comments:
It's adorable, Rach. And you're right; I really don't know who labeled that pattern easy, what with invisible zipper, lining, and puff sleeves. Jane, however, will still be a pink dream in this dress; one reminiscent of a certain girl named Anne (don't forget the e, who HAD to have puffed sleeves.
Well done!
That dress is too cute! You did a fabulous job on it. And sewing is not always easy, but you did it! Have a wonderful EASTER! XOXO
Good job Rach! It looks great. My mom makes sewing seem easy too, but whenever I take on a project that involves sewing (which is hardly ever) I must be highly supervised lest I am caught eating the paste or super gluing my finger in my nose. Seriously....I ride the short bus when it comes to crafts.
Not that sewing has anything to do with paste or super glue........right?
Wait, was this your FIRST attempt at sewing a dress or any clothing? YOU ARE SO AWESOME!! And I love how you didn't give up in spite of the not-so-easyness of the project. You are my hero. Can't wait to see pics of Jane wearing the dress.
You are a domestic goddess! I can't believe you made your daughter's Easter dress! I've always prided myself on having some domesticity in my bones but I think I would have given up and used the store bought dress.
Good for you!
Hope your Easter was fun.
Beautiful! I need to take some sewing lessons as well. For someone who has never done that before, it sure looks great!
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