Larisa, our almost 16-year-old, is in the play Pride and Prejudice this Fall as Lydia, the giggly, obnoxious sister who runs away to be wed. It should prove to be an entertaining show. The cast is amazing. Lydia requires four dresses, mostly day dresses that are quite plain, just princess waistlines and floor length gowns. Larisa was given one dress but it was made for a person with dramatically different measurements, so I’m still waiting to see if I can give it some major adjustments. This could be dress #1.
Lo and behold, a Gunne Sax dress of my mother’s was pulled for the archives from the late 1970s! It is creamy ivory with long sleeves and satin trim. I let out a few seams and added some pale turquoise satin ribbon at the high waist and sleeve cuffs and VOILA! Dress #2 down.
The pattern above was purchased yesterday after piles of lovely creamy fabric, satin and intricate diamond lace were given to us by the drama department. It is to be all off-white with a touch of lavender at the waist, neckline and sleeves. I plan to do the bodice and under skirt in a shiny material with a pattern of teeny squares scattered over it. The over skirt and the sleeves will be out of sheer cotton. It is truly lovely. Dress #3… on my sewing table.
As for dress #4, there is no vision or material or vintage Gunne Sax gown to account for. I’m hoping Larisa can make a trip to the costume basement and gather another beauty. But with several shows of Pride and Prejudice, I’m sure the pickin’s will be slim. We have six weeks, so I could sew another dress, but that is not my number one option.
Oh, I forgot to mention that Larisa will be wearing gown #2 to a Pride and Prejudice ball next weekend. It is a lovely period occasion where everyone is whisked into 1809, dance steps taught and juice sipped from gloved hands. I’m totally bummed that I will be out of town for this but I’ve already begun strict instructions to take lots of pictures! (so I can post here!)
My Sister's Jar 