A Seamstress?

I've been really enjoying some new titles I've taken on recently.

I thought I had them all figured out until yesterday.

I got a beautiful note from a friend {thanks Bri} and it blew me away.

I have called myself a blogger but she called me a writer.

I have called myself a bridesmaid but she called me a friend and seamstress.

Hers are so much better!

You see...

When I found out that Diana was getting married I immediately panicked. 

{Edit: First I was overjoyed for her, then the panic.}

This is a friend who hand-makes beautiful gifts for weddings and showers.

I'm not talking simple hand-mades here.  

We have gorgeous full size quilts and knit blankets care of Diana.

I didn't know if I'd be able to conjure up something quite as thoughtful.

Then, as we looked at some Etsy shops for wedding dresses, I found myself thinking "I can do that".

I used to sew, I used to love sewing.

But, as with many things, who has the time?

Not to mention that clothes are so cheap {a la Joe, H&M, F21} that is isn't cost effective anymore.

Well, in wedding dresses, it is.

We found 2 patterns that, combined, made her dream dress.

We sourced some Dupioni Silk in a closing out sale {thanks to a tip from her Aunt}.

I got out the dress form and we were off.

The dress came together beautifully with a few minor pattern adjustments.

Then we decided to add a little fun with some tulle peeking out the bottom.

I couldn't find the right colour so bought some ivory and tea dyed it.

These were my testers. I tried coffee {far} as well but it had a bit of an orange tinge, good old Earl Grey {middle} was the winner.

We also got such a good deal on the fabric that we had enough to make a flower girl dress.

{I altered this pattern to add some red tulle and a layer of lining so that she wasn't itchy.}

I even ended up with a little time for altering my own dress.

Now that I'm a mother {and over 30} I don't find I can wear things as short as I used to.

I loved everything about this dress except the "Jersey Shore" length.

A trip back to the fabric store for a little navy chiffon and I had another 4 inch layer at the bottom.

{These are the before and after shots, you can barely see that 4th layer.}

 So, for now at least, I'm a seamstress.

Maybe someday, when I can make the time for it, I'll really own up to this title.

Update:  Please don't judge our circa 1970's attic space {aka my office} in those last 2 shots.