"D" is for Dress #6

Sew: First Holy Communion dress

Girl #1 will be making her First Holy Communion soon so I made her dress:

A simple off-white satin tank style dress with a gathered skirt and an extra special waistband made from the jacket portion of my sister's wedding dress.

My sister, Aunt Eleni to my kids, generously offered the unused jacket portion of her wedding dress:

And I cut out the heavily beaded lace and embroidered portions to make this waistband:

I'll show you how I did it down below,

but first some more beauty shots.

The dress fits like a glove.

And the waistband is tied in a bow in the back:

Here are my girls (on the left and right) and their cousin (in the middle) at Aunt Eleni's wedding 2 years ago:

My girl #1 is over the moon to have part of her Aunt's wedding dress incorporated into her First Communion dress, such a special treat.

And yes we are missing the tights and veil but we're saving those for the big day.

Here's how I made the dress and waistband:

1. Construct the dress using Simplicity pattern #9497 view E.

I used off white satin fully lined with off white lining and a 16"white invisible zipper.

2. Clip off all the useable pieces from the wedding dress jacket:

3. To make the waistband stiff cut a 2.5" strip of heavy weight interfacing,

then cut 6" wide strip of satin.

(On the far right is 3" ribbon x 3 yards long.)

4. Wrap interfacing with satin, folding in raw edges and stitch closed:

5. Find center of ribbon and layout decorative pieces:

6. Pin in place, working one piece at a time and tack stitch from back:

7. Fill ribbon with embellishment then place on top of satin covered interfacing and straight stitch at back on top and bottom edges:

8. Apply snaps to back of waistband and on dress to keep in place:

Ready to wear:

A lovely way to make a one of a kind First Holy Communion dress.

Thank you Aunt Eleni!

I'm linking up to:

Whatcha Got Weekend @ Lolly Jane

SAS @ Funky Junk

Weekend Wrap Up @ Tatertots & Jello

Sundae Scoop @ I Heart Naptime

Sister Sunday @ Sisters of the Wild West

Sunday Showcase Party @ Under the Table & Dreaming

Just Something I Whipped Up @ The Girl Creative

DIY Project Parade @ The DIY Showoff

Made by You Mondays @ Skip to My Lou

Making the World Cuter @ Making the World Cuter

Nifty Thrifty @ Coastal Charm

Tuesday Treasures @ My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia

Tutorials & Tips Tuesday @ Home Stories A to Z

Good Life @ A Beach Cottage

Delightfully Inspiring @ Delightful Order

Transformation Thursday @ The Shabby Creek Cottage

Strut Your Stuff @ Somewhat Simple

Share Awesomeness Thur @ The 36th Avenue

Flaunt it Friday @ Chic on a Shoestring

Tickled Pink @ 504 Main

Frugal Friday @ The Shabby Nest

SAS @ Just a Girl

Feathered Nest @ French Country Cottage

Remodelaholics Anonymous @ Remodelaholic

inspiration board @ Carolyns Homework
Textiles @ Freckled Laundry