Oh Christmas Dress

Back in October the boys and I went craft shopping. I had huge plans for crafting many Christmas gifts this year, for making them both Thanksgiving and Christmas pants, and for making a few dresses for myself.

Well then we had an emergency trip to England and many of these plans went by the wayside. Charlie got a pair of pants, Toby did not. I made about half of the Christmas gifts that I had planned to, though I am still working on husby's and it is AWESOME. I was sad that I didn't get to make my Thanksgiving trip but other things, other things that keep me sane, took precedence and so there are no regrets.

But you see I bought this fabric. A wonderful old fashioned street scene, with children and store fronts and Santa. It is red and yellow and green and orange and wonderful. I had planned on making a dress Thanksgiving weekend and wearing it at least once a week in the run up to Christmas. Friday was my last day at work before Christmas and the dress had yet to be made let alone worn. I was utterly determined.

So on Thursday night, after a mum's group cookie swap at church, I sat down at my sewing machine with big plans! It was then I realised, to my horror, that after buying the wonderful fabric, I had found a second wonderful fabric to make a second dress. Now there was no question in my mind that my street scene dress was my must have, I plan on washing it every night and wearing it straight through Christmas, but this second fabric was delightful. I explained my conundrum to Husby who came up with a brilliant solution.

Use both! Isn't he a genius. So I took an extra half an hour of my life to cut out accent pieces for the hemline, and make a belt out of the lovely ornament fabric. It's absolutely wonderful, and even though I am wider than I would care to be, I feel wonderful in my dress.

I have argued with myself for so long about my crafting, about the time it takes and the items it produces, about what to give up and what to pursue. I was a reluctant sewer, but with results like this, well I think this is one craft that is here to stay. THANKS MUM!