Graduation Dress

I have made Thing 2’s Halloween costumes every year since she was 4 years old.  (Well, every year except for the one when only a store bought costume would do – this was squashed pretty quickly when someone else came to Kindergarten in the same outfit)  We’ve done mermaids (there was a LONG running mermaid phase) pirate princess and the year she wanted to be a dead cheerleader.  (where did she get this idea?)  I originally opted for buying a pre-made cheerleader costume and customizing it for that “been dead a long time look”.  But no – store bought costumes are too sexy –  she didn’t want her stomach showing and she didn’t want short sleeves.  Gotta love the modest and chaste sensibility in my daughter!  The costume was a work of art and it KILLED me to “destroy” it.

The subject of her 5^th grade graduation recently came up.  She was told that she was required to wear a dress.  Something she wasn’t very excited about.

She recently confessed she doesn’t like to wear dresses because “she doesn’t have curves yet”.  SUCH a window of insight!  I was so glad that she let me in on this inner most feeling about her self image.  It gave me a chance to talk to her about how women are beautiful in all shapes and sizes – that you work with what you have – what looks good on one woman may not look good on another.  It’s also troubling too – because she doesn’t have an ounce of body fat, is in tremendous shape and is just a cutie patootie.  But I understand.  I get it.

Thing 2 and I attended the FIDM 2011 Debut show in March.  At the entrance FIDM featured one ensemble from each decade from famous designers.  Can you guess the years below?
I had showed her how the A-line dress from the 60’s  was such a great look.

You never know how your word will affect someone!  It always amazes me.  Some words stick.

When Thing 2 and I were discussing the Graduation dress code, I presented the idea to make her a dress.  (YEAH!  PROJECT!!!)   Thing 2 agreed and I reminded her of the style of dress we had seen at the FIDM show.  I explained how someone with her figure (no boobs and all) could really “rock” the A-Line style dress where more curvy figures could not.  She was won over and I quickly scoured the internet for a girls dress in A-line form.  There aren’t as many patterns for girls as there are children or women.  Understandable.  But I found three patterns that would work and I showed her the patterns and the options within those patterns.  She doesn’t want the sleeves too long – she doesn’t want to look like a “hippy”.  (the dress had bell shaped sleeves – good call)  We also discussed a gorgeous top we saw at the FIDM Debut show by designer Kristine Flanigan – an off the shoulder white top with the neck edge faced in a shiny black leather like material.   Inspiration?

So todayI’m going to track down the pattern at my local Jo-Ann’s store.  If they don’t have it in stock, I’ll grab it online.  SO EXCITED!

I wonder if Nick will like it!