In case you didn't know already, "a pinkie promise is the most powerful promise in the world."
These are the words coming out of the mouth of my five year old during snack the other day. Now I get the seriousness of a pinkie promise, but I don't understand the eternal purgatory that must be endured if one is broken.
"You must never ever break a pinkie promise," she says in a hushed whisper. "That would be very bad."
So you can imagine my incredulity when she calmly explained that I was to sew her new best friend the most beautiful gown ever.
"Makenna, why would you promise something like that."
"Because if I didn't, she would cry."
Of course. She would cry. The infalliblity of five year old logic. So I come to school the next day and the little girl had drawn a rudimentary sketch of the aforementioned princess gown, complete with matching head band and little blue sparkly shoes. It just about killed me, so I did what any self respecting mom would do, I busted out my measuring tape, took some quick notes on essential measurements, and went to work.
Fortunately I've learned enough about sewing in the last couple years that kids are nearly as picky as adults and as long as it's sparkly, they aren't going to care if the seams are a little wonky. I decided to just draft my own pattern and wing it. This is what I came up with. Working with fake polyster sateen was not my favorite but the shirring was fun and when faced with a heavy hit of steam, it crinkled up just perfectly and in a much satisfying way. How can you not love elastic thread!
Although a little tricky to get into, the design offers sizing flexibility in the bodice so I'm sure she will wear it out long before she outgrows it. She insisted on the white sash with a flower attached of course, but I decided to not attach it so when the mood struck she could go for a more simplistic look. The front and back are interchangeable, I like the front with the faux laced bodice facing. But I also think it looks equally as nice with the shirring in the front accompanied with the sash and flower.
Ok, enough rambling. But I will admit I got a certain amount of girly satisfaction making this. Although it did cost me 30 bucks and about 8 hours of my time, a pinkie promise is indeed a pinkie promise. My curse, is that my girls would like their own gowns as well. Sparkly gowns unite. What joy it would be to be a five year old girl again, if only for a day. BTW..if anyone wants any tips on making their very own multifunctional princess dress it was surprisingly easy, drop me a line and I'll walk you through it.
Even my inner Tomboy would have worn that dress proudly as a five year old. You do such beautiful work with all the details to please a young Princess. *hugs* :)
Posted by: Ruinwen | May 14, 2010 at 04:18 AM
I just finished a formal for my senior daughter for an event that they wear them for less than 2 hours. Just couldn't justify another $200 dress, so with coupons and sales, I got every thing I needed for $60 or less, spent quite a bit more time stressing than sewing, but hey! I'm happy and so is she. That's what counts...I wish I'd been a little braver before...haven't tried a grown-up dress, just a princess dress at Halloween when she was very young, along with numerous other costumes. Keep it up and pinky promises ROCK!!
I think I might just have to drop in and read all about your history in your blog!!
Posted by: karen | May 14, 2010 at 07:02 AM
So cute!! You did well! I've heard to use glue stick (washable kind) on slippery fabrics to keep them together while sewing.
Posted by: Zonda | May 14, 2010 at 02:45 PM
I'm so impressed - no pattern? While I don't have any daughters here, with three boys I understand how one little project can multiply just so things are fair.
I love the layered skirt. I'm sure that right now you are the coolest mom!
Posted by: Linda | May 15, 2010 at 08:01 AM
That dress is toally gorgeous!! Definitely a beautiful princess gown. I'm totally impressed. And you are a really kind mommy to actually follow through with your daughter's pinkie promise!
Posted by: caitlyn | May 15, 2010 at 01:07 PM
That's what a pinky promise can do. You are forced to create such great stuffs! I'm loving it! Thanks much for sharing.
Posted by: I Need Money Desperately | May 24, 2010 at 09:37 AM
oh shes so cute on that dress, lovely to look at her! cuteness overload on her. yay!
Posted by: nursing cover | July 07, 2010 at 11:13 PM
Woa, she looks so cute on that dress, like a princess, right? I would like to have one for my younger sister. That must be one of the most wonderful gifts she's ever had.
Posted by: Mai Pham | October 03, 2010 at 07:26 PM