KOOKY COMRADE POST: MY MOM

You know you’re a hoarder—I mean, collector—of saved craft supplies (lots of it being fabric) when ONE post doesn’t quite do your collection justice. If you missed Part 1, where I share kid’s dress ideas, etc., check it out here. Here’s the follow-up. This one I’m calling:

Old Bridesmaid’s Dresses Addition

If you’re a female, anywhere from age 20 to 100, you’ve probably been a bridesmaid in one wedding or another. And if you’re like me, you kept every single one of those old dresses. Because who knows when you might want to repurpose one!?

The time came a few months ago when one of my granddaughters decided she wanted (or maybe more accurately, needed) one of her favorite Disney princess dresses—Belle. What luck to have a saved bright yellow bridesmaid dress in my stash!

Mind you, my bridesmaid days were circa 1974-1976, but I knew they would come in handy some day. Here’s me wearing it. Gotta love it.

After looking at some of the store-bought Disney dresses, I discovered some tips.

1. Make sure you cut the front and back bodice pieces large enough to accommodate any size as usually those dresses would fit a couple sizes, roughly 3-6. Elastic on the back bodice piece allows for a larger size.
2. The sleeves are best kept to just a cap type sleeve or sleeveless. The Belle dress sleeves are just part of a large loop of fabric tacked to the middle of the front and back bodices. And obviously, don’t make it too long for a little one!

Here’s a basic look at how I deconstructed my dress and cut it out:

This project might not work well for those who have not sewn before, but an experienced sewer can easily cut out pattern pieces or even use a very basic pattern you already have and just embellish! If you are using cast-off dresses and leftover trims, what have you got to lose?! After all, little girls are really only concerned with the right color and lots of ribbons, trims and adornments.

Here’s the finished dress:

So very Belle, right?! And here’s a look at a few of the details:

My granddaughter loved the dress so much, she even decided to wear it to her 4th birthday party! For me, that’s what it’s all about. Seeing the joy on their little faces. Just look at ‘er.

Since Belle was such a success, my older granddaughter announced her and her sister needed  Tinkerbell costumes. After looking online for pictures of that type of costume, what luck, I owned a light green bridesmaid dress!

Some extra pieces of sheer fabric from my stash (plus, recognize that yellow fabric from the first dress?!), and fairy dresses complete.

It just goes to show that you don’t have to spend a lot of money on kid’s costumes if you don’t want to. Instead, look to the things you already own. And if you don’t own anything, hit up your local thrift shops and have at it!

How fun it is to be creative with castoffs!!! Good luck : )

If you missed my first post, check it out here.