Costume Party

After a full day of struggling to find a 1920s era flapper dress of any type, Grandma and I opted to make our own. From the first desperate Google searches a month ago after I learned of the theme for my summer camp's banquet, to now, I had resigned myself to not really having a dress. Trying to save moola for my big trip next year (more on that to come) I did not want to buy a silly dress that would never be worn again!

So, my determined Grandma decided we would make our own. Hitting towns in both California and Oregon, we finally met our fist success at Goodwill stop number two. A plain-jane black dress was purchased for only $4.49. Encouraged by our cheap find, we scooted on to a real-life costume shop. I felt like I was in a movie; fluffy feather boas (one of which I bought), long silky gloves, pirate eye patches, and fishnet stockings galore. After making it out of the trap of imagination, we arrived at the fabric store, where we bought the classic fringe for the dress. Who would've thought that would be the most expensive part of the dress?!

Back on the home front after a stop at Dairy Queen, we rummaged through Granny's sewing supplies. Many of which hailed from the days of her mother's sewing business. Finding little lengths of sequins to compliment the outfit's design, we excitedly began to cut and sew and glue. The headband was born first. And now, as I type this, after . . . more hours than I'd like to count, we are just finishing up the last bits of the dress. I can't believe we were able to pull something like this together! Yet there it is, chilling on a 52 year old, all metal, singer sewing machine. (Pictures of the outfit will come later.)

Man, we're good.