Tuesday 15 December 2009

Beautiful Belle

One of my closest friends has two gorgeous kids. They are both older than mine (12 and 14 years) but have always been the most lovely friends to my children. I treasure our friendship with their whole family.

This week was Isabelle's grade six valedictory. After much searching for a dress that was just right for a twelve year old, and without any luck, Heather asked me if I could make it. Given that the design was so simple, I agreed. Heather chose the fabric, a beautiful beaded silk voile from the Cloth Shop in Ivanhoe (if you live in Melbourne and have never been to this shop, you MUST go). It was just perfect.

Beautiful Belle - wearing the dress I made
With much trepidation of my sewing and pattern alteration skills, and the help from another dear friend (Charlotte's mum), I began. I was very nervous throughout the dressmaking for three reasons: It was such beautiful fabric, I was sewing for someone else and my gorgeous girlfriend is a little, ahem, particular, shall we say!
Beautiful Belle - wearing the dress I made
But in the end it all turned out and Isabelle look like a Grecian beauty. I made a flower to match which was beaded with orange beads, subtle but pretty.
A flower to match
Doesn't she look beautiful.

14 comments:

Jo said...

Tamara, I am struck by how beautiful and perfect that entire outfit is for a 12 year old girl. I know a 9 year old girl who would absolutely swoon over it! Orange is her favourite colour and butterflies easily one of her favourite things. Your hair accessory tops it off perfectly. Well done.

Sarah said...

What a lucky girl to have such a wonderful friend to make her dress. Beautiful! Having my 12 year old just graduate from Primary School I agree, it is so, so difficult to find something suitable, let alone something that fits. I did the same and made Vanessa's.

Kat said...

Gorgeous dress! That fabric is really nice.

Anonymous said...

Perfectly stunning.

beth said...

Oh DEAR!! She IS just a beautiful girl but I can't believe how grown up she looks here!!! Well done Tam!

Karen said...

Perfect in every way - that is such a gorgeous dress for a girl of her age, and how nice to see a girl of that age looking so lovely in something that is completely appropriate for her age.
Inspiring me to make a trip to the Cloth shop too!
Lovely job Tamara.

Amanda said...

Hi Tamara, the dress is stunning! Gorgeous fabric and a beautiful simple yet elegant design which is perfectly suited to her age. It looks so lovely and the flower adds a wonderful touch.

Anonymous said...

Hi Tam
So glad to seee the dress looks beautiful on and she looks so happy with it.
love Bec

Corrie said...

oh she looks beautiful! that is the dress I have had in mind for keira for special occassions! it's grown up but not too grown up

well done!

corrie:)

little women said...

Beautiful is all I can say - dress and young lady. It is so hard to find lovely things that aren't too grown up. I have a tall 9 year old and boy oh boy do I struggle to find clothes and shoes to fit and that are appropriate. Bet Belle was the Belle of the ball!

Cat said...

Just beautiful! The dress you made looks just perfect and she looks lovely it it. The fabric is stunning.

Unknown said...

Oh my! She is a real beauty and the dress is just perfect for her. Well done Tamara. She is lucky to have somone make her something so special.

Kristine said...

Divine in every way.

Gypsy Purple said...

Hope you had a very merry Christmas with lots of blessings--Gypsy Purple--Chamara