It's not perfectly sewn. In fact, I made plenty of mistakes along the way. It's a bit too short, it pulls at one shoulder, I didn't finish the seams, you can see my hem stitches from a mile away and there is a hole in the front seam.
But it is still perfect.
It is perfect because I made it, myself. It is perfect because I didn't ruin this beautiful fabric or break my mother-in-law's sewing machine (although I came awfully close). It is perfect because I can actually wear it. It is perfect because I actually like it.
It is perfect because this morning I walked into the post office and the postmistress said, "What a nice dress!" and I said, "Thank you, I made it myself!" And I was beaming, after that, for about an hour.
It was perfect to put this dress on today, this everything-blooming-at-once, humid, breathless spring day, with white shoes and pink lipstick, and walk out the door, free and easy as you please.
I wore this gold necklace, which belonged to my grandmother, because I have been thinking of her a lot as I worked on this dress. I have been thinking of her, too, as I unpack more of the little girl clothes that my mother saved for so many years in her attic, waiting to see if there would be a granddaughter to pass them along to (my sister has two sons).
And I think about her when I look at home-sewn clothes from the 1960s and 70s and wonder: What kind of woman sewed this dress? Who was she? Was she happy? And I think about all the things I have sewed in to this dress: songs, worries, spring afternoons, the chatter of my daughter in the background as the sewing machine whizzed along. And I feel like I will always see those things when I look at this dress — this dress that is perfect to me.
Fabric: Rummage sale ($0.25)
Pattern: Salvation Army ($0.25)
Notions: +/- $3
Gorgeous! And is that piping along the neckline? Well done.
ReplyDeleteYes, piping! I was basically done with the dress and then decided, "This clearly needs piping on the neckline." Because why stop when you're ahead.
DeleteI love this post, and that dress! It IS perfect, for all of the reasons you stated, and honestly I bet nobody will notice the errors except you! That fabric is so, so beautiful. You inspire me to sew more!
ReplyDeleteThanks!! I am on SUCH a sewing kick lately, it is really satisfying to me right now. Although now I am turning into a total fabric/vintage pattern hoarder ... I may have to do a giveaway later this month.
DeleteI absolutely love how you're glowing in your beautiful, homemade dress! I've always wanted to make my own dresses and skirts, but I've had the hardest time finding fabric at a decent price.. not even in thrift stores :(! Do you know anywhere to get fabric at a good price?
ReplyDeleteI always look at thrift stores and rummage sales - that is where I get literally all my fabric. It is tough, but I have gotten lucky lately! Look at linens, too - I am working on a post now about a dress I made out of a lace tablecloth! And I have big plans for an old bedsheet, too :)
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