Sunday, May 1, 2011

1st Communion Dress (Finale)

Cut from the detachable train of my wedding dress, this is my daughter's 1st Holy Communion dress.
Pattern: Vogue 7845
I removed the embellished lace trim from the hem of the train, and replaced it along the the hemline.
Along the neckline, I stitched small and medium pearl beads, using the bead placement from the hem as a guide.  You can see the neckline below. The veil was borrowed from her cousin.
Here is a view of the back.  The floor vent is giving the tulle netting underneath some "help", and the "poof" of the princess seamed dress is emphasized!
I absolutely love the way it turned out, and have to say that to anyone who can sew, you should give serious consideration to re-using your gown or parts of it for special occasion, heirloom pieces like this.  Having my daughter re-use my wedding dress in this form, made the day all the more important to her.  It wasn't particularly difficult, and extremely rewarding.  I can't think of another sewing project that will bring be so much joy... that is, until her wedding day!

37 comments:

Dilliander said...

The dress looks amazing, very special for you and your daughter, who is obviously very proud and happy. What a lovely idea.

Karin said...

It's beautiful! She looks wonderful. What a great way to Up-cycle a wedding dress.

Mariela Alethia said...

Beautiful dress for a special day.

Bunny said...

What a fabulous job you did on this. It is gorgeous! Your daughter is positively angelic. This is what heirloom sewing is about. Make sure you pack it away in some archival tissue for the next generation to see, appreciate, and maybe even wear. Lovely.

Elaray said...

Beautiful! What a wonderful way to reuse your wedding dress!

gwensews said...

That's a beautiful dress, and very, very special considering from what it was made.

Jenny said...

Beautiful dress and beautiful little girl. And so pious. :-) Thank you so much for sharing the whole process.

Vicki said...

Beautiful! Your daughter looks very happy too.

KID, MD said...

You all looks wonderful - so happy! Her dress is completely gorgeous. I know she'll treasure it.

Lisa said...

Congratulations to your daughter on her 1st Communion. May God bless her!
She looks lovely. What a wonderful way to share your wedding dress.

JoanneM said...

Just beautiful Kristine. An outstanding job!!!!

Beangirl said...

K, that came out WONDERFULLY! I am very impressed (not least with your bravery to cut into that train, I don't know if I could have done it just out of sheer dread-- of course, you sew better than me too!)

And congratulations to your daughter too! She looks very proud of herself (which she should be).

Michelle said...

What a wonderful job you did on her dress, she looks like a little angel.

Carolyn (Diary of a Sewing Fanatic) said...

The dress is stunning! Your daughter looks beautiful and you should be so proud of what you have accomplished. Your wedding dress made a great communion dress. Do you have pieces left? Can you use the remaining pieces for future events?

Paceda said...

Gorgeous! I love special garments that have a little history with them. What a wonderful way to share your wedding gown with your daughter.

Gorgeous Things said...

Beautiful dress, beautiful family! Congratulations!!!!

wendy said...

it came out wonderfully! I really love how the lace on the skirt looks - it's all so sweet!

Maryissewfast said...

Simply stunning Kristine! What a beautiful dress that hopefully your granddaughter may wear someday or who knows? It could be upcycled to a christening gown! :)

Big in Japan said...

Congratulations on the dress and to your daughter on her special day! She looks adorable. What a great Mom!

Julia said...

This is glorious!!!! She is so pretty. Congratulations to you and to her.

Dana said...

That turned out so beautiful! And what a perfect model she it :)

Powderpuff said...

Congradulations the dress is perfect. I imagine that making it for your daughter has created so much excitement and anticipation that must have only enhanced the wonderful day.

Myra said...

You should be proud...your daughter looks soooo adorable in this dress!

Amanda S. said...

Gorgeous, Kristine! What a pretty little angle you have! I love the idea of making two special memories from the one dress - er train. I'm sure she will never forget that day and what a sweet mother she has.

Fran said...

It is beautiful! You did a wonderful job and what a wonderful memory.

Patty said...

Adorable! and your daughter looks like a little angel :-) Nice job, Mom!

angie.a said...

It's so beautiful!! You did an amazing job, of course. You all look wonderful on such a happy day. :)

Summerset said...

She looks just so beautiful and the dress is so special and now you both have special dresses!

Gail said...

What a beautiful dress and an angelic little girl.

Shannon said...

What a beautiful gift for your daughter on her special day! I love how you matched the beading on the neckline to follow the hem decoration. It was the perfect balance of embellishment.
Wouldn't it be wonderful if she could use this as the flower girl's dress in her own wedding or make it even smaller into a baptismal gown for a future generation? This could become the never-ending dress!

patsijean said...

Your daughter and her dress are just beautiful.

Tee said...

Absolutely beautiful!!!!!!!

amber said...

So beautiful! You did a fabulous job on this dress. What a special day all around. :)

Nadine said...

You did a beautiful job! She looks so happy! I admire your sewing so much. You are an inspiration.

Sally said...

You're daughters 1st communion dress is beautiful and so special since you made it and from your wedding dress! She is a very lucky girl!Many blessings to her on her first communion!

Cindy said...

Your daughter's dress is just lovely. She looks just beautiful for her First Holy Communion. Your dress made a special day even more special. I really enjoy reading your blog.

HeathersSphere said...

Preciously beautiful dress! Your daughter is just too darling in this! Very nice work on the dress, and that you sewed it from your wedding dress, makes it extra meaningful!