The Prom Dress

My sewing business allows me to do many things. I replace zippers in coats, pants, even one in a cushion. Sometimes I make things from scratch, sometimes it is just an adjustment on ready-made clothes. I hem pants, skirts, sleeves, reline coats, let in and take out things for those who have changed their weight. I reupholster chairs, couches and car seats. But probably my most favorite thing to do is to work on Prom Dresses.

A couple of months ago, I got a call from a mother and daughter who had purchased a beautiful prom dress on a discount because the zipper was broken and it was missing a hook and eye. She also wanted me to please add some sleeves or straps for a bit more modesty, if I could. I love these challenges.
The first thing I did was to fix the zipper, etc. Then I purchased some yellow satin and dug into my beads and sequins. Then I proceeded to attach hundreds of these to the yellow satin. It took a little while to attach all these beads. As you can see, the fabric is yellow satin with the salmon tulle gathered on top. I looked all over Salt Lake for this same color and it doesn't exist. So I had to do the next best thing. I purchased some yellow tulle. The dress has both colors of tulle in the skirt. I then proceeded to steal a section from the back under layer and replace it with yellow. This way the straps would match the bodice.
After gathering the tulle, I then pinned it with my yellow glass head pins. That is the yellow "beads" in the picture. This is where I attached some red sequins on top with invisible thread.

After attaching the straps in the front securely, I called her back to try it on and make sure it fit her just right, then I attached the straps to the back.
I just love fixing prom dresses. They are so fluffy and pretty. I hang the work-in-progress in the front room for inspiration and I fluff it and touch it almost every time I pass it. I just feel like a party is about to happen when these beautiful dresses grace my house.
The girls who come to have me "modest-ify" their dresses are always so very cute. I have gotten to know a lot of High School girls because I do this.
I only live 3 blocks from the High School, so they can come for a fitting during lunch. I text them when it is ready. They are usually surprised that I text from my cell phone. It is pretty cute.
They are always happy with the results and I have made many new young friends. One even wished me a Merry Christmas on her cell phone this year. I was so touched.
Anyway, this is one of my most favorite sewing jobs that I get.