3 weeks may sound like a long time, but for an overthinking, overachieving human like me (with an already full plate of responsibilities), it didn't feel like enough time to imagine, research, design, source, and create Lilly's gown. I began with a rough sketch of my vision, including a list of potential symbolism to incorporate. I wanted this gown to be a treasure of beauty and craftsmanship, as well as a comprehensive storybook of life with Christ.
My next discovery was that the fine fabric shops that used to grace St. Louis, no longer exist. There are quilting shops all over town but no one carries heirloom quality fabrics any more. If you sew, you'll appreciate my strong hesitation to order fabric online without TOUCHING it. I mean...that just isn't done! I finally found an online shop out of Nashville that I was familiar with and determined it would be safe to order fabric from there. They were gracious enough to overnight all 8 1/2 yards of handkerchief linen they had on hand so I could get started.
Choosing entredeux and laces from photos on Etsy felt very risky but I was left with no choice. Laces need to be seen up close and in person to really know the quality of the product. I scoured reviews, crossed my fingers, and took the plunge with HeirloomSewingDesign...and it paid off.
Choosing entredeux and laces from photos on Etsy felt very risky but I was left with no choice. Laces need to be seen up close and in person to really know the quality of the product. I scoured reviews, crossed my fingers, and took the plunge with HeirloomSewingDesign...and it paid off.
I ran around town for notions and other items I didn't have on hand and discovered that even some "basic" quality sewing notions were impossible to find locally. Of course, I began planning how I could quit my job and open a specialty sewing shop in The Lou.
I've been out of the dewing groove for more than a decade now, but I had previously used Simplicity 7488 to construct a very simple gown and coat for a male infant of a close friend. The gown was simple...and the overcoat had very little embellishments. It was lovely but simple...and followed the pattern, as designed.
I wanted Lilly's gown to be long, and to incorporate pintucks, entredeux, French and English laces, lace insertion, smocking...ALL the things I've drooled over for years but have never actually done! I'll spare you all the details of the process and just show you the end result. I took 10 days off of work and devoted my days and nights to this labor of love. The gown has several imperfections and flaws (only a few that would be noticed by an untrained eye), which were hard for me to accept but, in the end, I was mostly satisfied and was able to let go of my drive for perfection.
