Sunday, November 6, 2011

Meet Maggie...Or Is it Clara

This sweet girl Maggie, is performing as Clara in the Nutcracker  put on by the Bakersfield Symphony Orchestra.  It is held every year. I have never been, but this year I will have a special reason to attend.
And that reason is Maggie.
Her Mom and I met a few weeks ago to pick out fabric and talk about design. She had purchased a vintage pattern online and told me Maggie requested white with poinsettias.
After looking at satins and taffetas I suggested Dupioni Silk.
I had made one of my granddaughter's
Dedication dresses out of Dupioni and I loved working with it. It has a shine, texture and a crispness that makes it a dream to work with. It ravels, but I have a serger, so no problem there.
Okay...back to the dress.
We also chose Red and Green Velveteen, which is a nightmare to work with, but with stabilizer, I coped.
Ignoring the background, (I need a studio just to take pictures for my blog. LOL) here is the dress before I took it for Maggie to try on. It ties in a large bow and has three more poinsettias in the back.
A closeup of the poinsettia.  I machine appliqued them to stabiliser and then hand sewed them to the dress. I was going to embroider the gold in the center , but decided it needed a little bling.
I found these tiny gold Swarovski crystals...just the right touch.


Well, that was what I did last week.  I was so blessed meeting this family. Maggie was so lovely and sweet. She gave me a big hug and her smiles just made the project such a pleasure.
Not to forget her Mom Katie, who was so easy to work with and so apprecitative

I put myself under a lot of pressure over this project.  It stretched my abilities and creativity. It was 4 yds of white...can't drink coffee or diet Pepsi while working...wash hands often.
The velveteen turned my nails pink, so I was so afraid it would turn the dress pink.
But all in all, it was one of my all time favorite projects.

12 comments:

deb said...

that dress is STUNNING!!! great job....can you feel me patting you on the back????!!!!

Anonymous said...

Beautiful Beverly! Take your granddaughters to the Nutcracker this year for a special holiday tradition and know you played an important part. Better look out - you will be on "the list" for all the Claras in future productions.

Annelies said...

oh my....you are sew talented. What a sweet blessing it is that you can make such lovely things for those children that hold your heart. XXX

Phyllis @Around the House said...

The dress is simply adorable and I love the beautiful red flowers you put on the front...just to die for...I am a new follower

Designs on 47th Street said...

Wow! I am so "jealous" (majorly impressed!!) with your sewing skills! I haven't sewn in so long it would be a challenge to make a bib. I just can't imagine creating something so beautiful as this dress for this sweet girl. It is truly a work of art.

thanks for stopping by my blog and leaving such a nice comment. :)
Donna

Unknown said...

Wow! What talent you have.

Linda said...

I am speechless...that turned out beautifully! You are amazing...and my hero!!

Lady Jane said...

You are such a talented seamstress. That dress is remarkable. I dabble in sewing and have a serger which I cant seem to get the hang of so I continue to use my sewing machine. I so envy your talent. Hugs! LJ

Michelle said...

So very beautiful! You really are a talented seamstress.

GardenOfDaisies said...

Such a beautiful dress!! And lucky little girl!!

Patty Marker said...

GORGEOUS! It turned out so beautiful. I know she will wear it proudly. You did such and awesome job.

French-Kissed said...

Beverly, this dress is stunning...you make such beautiful art! All the best...

Jermaine