Deconstruction and Reconstruction. The story of a dress.

About a month ago, I had a long arduous discussion with my 11, 7 and 4 year old girls, they decided they did not want to wear white for the christening and so we selected a Taupe/Mink colour.

My middle daughter Willow, is, at the grand age of seven, already well on the way to being a Fashionista.
She turned down dress after dress, as she had a clear image in her mind of what she wanted. In the end she opted for a 1920's style sequinned chiffon dress, but she pointed out to me that NONE of the other girls were to have the same dress as her.
So I set about finding dresses in the same colour and style, (but not the same) as Willows.
After spending hours on ebay, (yes I am thrifty, I have six kids). I managed to win auctions for both Poppy and Rowan in similar style/colour.
I picked up bargain Linen waistcoats and pants for the boys as I wanted them to be casual and definitely NOT in full suits. If you knew my boys you would fully understand this choice. But that's where my luck ran out and led to the story of The Dress.

My eldest daughter Jasmine is very tall for her age. She is 5 foot 5 and is already wearing ladies size 14.
I trawled the internet, bridal shops and ebay, and after a month, I had still not found anything suitable.
All the women's dresses were too old for her and inappropriate. I just wanted a simple style in the right colour.
That was when I came up with the idea of deconstructing and reconstructing.
One of the first dresses I had purchased for Willow for £10 (ebay) turned out to be far too big for her tiny frame, but too small for Jasmine. As it had a really full skirt, I knew that if I was to take it apart, I would be able to use the fabric again.
Last night, I got out the seam ripper and set to work.

Original Dress.

                                                                 Partially deconstructed  

  

                                                              Cutting new bodice

Vintage Pattern

Reconstructed NEW dress.

I know it is far from perfect, but it fits, its the right colours and she is happy with it, and that is what matters most.

Check back next week as I will be showing you some really simple, cheap, home made party decorations.