More recent First Communion Dresses

 Just a smattering of the First Communion Dresses I've made more recently.

For Lily

For Martha

Martha wanted a "Mrs Bridges" apron to go over her dress,
 so she could help serve out teas and coffees after Mass!

Margaret Mary's dress.

Last Minute Rush to Catch the Post

I had to get my skates on with these dresses, since I have a friend who was visiting the US, and willing to take them with her and post them once she'd arrived. I actually managed to make three dresses in about 3 1/2 days - a record for me! I was exhausted by the end of it, but glad to get them out in plenty of time for the First Communions, and one Confirmation at the beginning of May.

Cotton broderie anglaise with elasticated cuffs.

Embroidered cotton voile, fully lined.

This one was for the Confirmation.

The last of the Polyester Chiffon.

Fully lined in cotton, with plain cuffs,

At the request of the recipient!

 I didn't have time to get a photo of this one before I added it to the pile my friend was to take, so I was delighted to receive these pictures of it being modelled by its new owner!

Pure cotton broderie anglaise with a Peter Pan

Collar, and 3/4 length cuffed sleeves.

Well worth all the effort!

It's Starting Again!

The orders usually start coming in around now for First Holy Communion dresses, in plenty of time for May and June, however, I had to get my skates on with this one, since the family who are in the USA had only just found out they would be moving State and their daughter would therefore be making her First Communion at the beginning of March. I said I could make it in a week, and get it in the post, which I duly did, but it was a close call!! I'm hoping that there will be no customs hitches and that it will arrive in plenty of time! (The length of time customs takes in the US seems so variable - Usually the package takes about two weeks, but it has taken up to 3 and a half weeks before, the quickest being just under a week - to Los Angeles, the place furthest away from here!!)
Now time to go and hoover up all those bits of white thread and chiffon...

 This dress is made from a pure cotton with a polyester chiffon overlay, and broderie anglaise trim.

Unfortunately, there is no chiffon fabric left (I have just cut out the last chiffon dress), so as I can not find nice embroidered chiffon for love nor money, any future orders will have to be in cotton voile, or broderie anglaise! 

Winter Confirmation Dress in the Snow

I'm afraid the last time I saw the young lady for whom this dress was destined, she was a very leetle person, and it just makes me realise how time do fly!

A Confirmation dress for the middle of winter - what better fabric to use than some lovely pure wool and cashmere suiting

I got this several years ago, and have had it saved for the right person, at the right time. God in His providence made me buy it! - I was asked at rather short notice, just before Christmas when I would never have had time to go searching for an appropriate fabric, if I could make the dress for the beginning of January. Because I already had this fabric I was able to, Deo Gratias!

There's a lovely a matching coloured silk velvet and guipure lace, for the collar cuffs and trim.

Just got it finished in time for it to be photographed in our first snow of the winter!

Which, of course, never lasts very long in these parts!

First Holy Communion Dresses being worn in my Parish

This year I had the honour to make two dresses for two of the little girls in my parish who received Our Blessed Lord for the first time. Even though they were the nearest of all it has taken me rather a long time to get some pictures of them!

Miss H being chauffeur driven to the Church

(the family usually walk for 40 minutes to get there, that would have been a bit much in her finery!)

Anticipation!

The mantilla veil was a kind gift from a parishioner,

And her Godmother ordered a matching bag to go with the dress.

Miss E's dress was made from a beautiful cotton lace, with a cotton under layer.

It should last as she has (so far) two younger sisters to come after her!

A Happy Day!

It was lovely to be able to see my handiwork being worn for the first time ever!

Last First Holy Communion Dress of the Season!

Today I managed to deliver the last dress I will have to make for First Communions this Spring/Summer - whew, a weight off my mind! It was quite exciting when the first few commissions came in, then it became rather daunting as I had more orders than ever before this year. But, thanks be to God, everyone got what they wanted, and in time for their special day.  I also have to thank  my trusty courier, (you know who you are, Mrs P!) a lovely American lady married to a chap from my parish, who very helpfully took dresses over to the States when she was visiting family, and posted them over there, thus avoiding the worry of them being held up in customs. She also brought back the pretty fabric that I used in this last dress. 

Isobel's dress is made of embroidered polyester chiffon fabric,

lined with cotton lawn, and trimmed with bands of cotton broderie anglaise..

With wide satin ribbon ties.

Now I can put the white threads away, and move on to another project at the other end of the spectrum, a cassock for a lad who enjoys serving at the altar.

Traditional First Holy Communion Dresses 2016

Here are a few examples of what has been keeping me busy the last couple of months!

Leena's embroidered cotton voile

It has a huge duchesse satin bow, by request.

Mary Genevieve's embroidered cotton dress

and mantilla veil.

The dress has been made to be passed down

to Mary's younger sister, Margaret, hence

two matching bags have bee personalised.

This lovely embroidered cotton voile

catches the light beautifully.

Made for Heidi Elizabeth.

For sisters, Helena and Liliana who will be

making their First Communion at the same time.

A beautiful cotton broderie anglaise fabric was

used in Shianne's dress.

Nina's dress is also a lovely light-weight

cotton broderie anglaise.

With a satin ribbon tie.

This picture makes it all worth while!

I'm not sure whether folk realise how much time and effort I put into my sewing!  I am a bit of a perfectionist, so the work I do has to be finished to a high standard, and I take a lot of time mulling over whether I'm getting the size right, and which lace trim will go best with which fabric, etc. Each dress can take me over 3 to 4 days to finish, (with house-wifely duties in between!) and each one is unique. It is lovely to see photos of the girls on their special day, but photos like the one below, just make my day!

Miss P shows the  pleasure and
excitement on opening the package,
just after it arrives.

I'm looking forward to seeing her in it too!

Holly's First Holy Communion Dress

I enjoyed making this dress for Holly, who had very definite ideas of what she wanted - no frills at the cuffs, and no bow at the back! But it was a treat for me to see one of the little girls I've sewn for actually trying the dress on, which I was able to do when I delivered it (most of them get sent far away, but Holly comes to my Church sometimes, so does not live too far from me.) I was re-assured to see how well it fit - her grandma had obviously given me accurate measurements!

God Bless!