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.

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.

Guinevere's Unique Traditional First Holy Communion Dress & Veil.

Guinevere's parents requested that I make her a dress & veil in a style similar to some old photographs they had, if it were possible.  There wasn't a lot of time for me to spend on copying them exactly, but these are what I came up with, and they are very happy with them, DG!

I enjoy trying to re-create styles in the manner people want, just make sure you contact me nice and early if you do have something specific in mind - especially if you are overseas!

The veil was much harder to make than the dress!! but I eventually found some embroidery motifs, and a veil edging that was similar to what they wanted. But, this sort of thing does take a lot of time to make, so let me know early!!

Traditional Holy Communion Dresses 2015

Here is a selection of dresses just finished and sent off this spring, some for the USA and some for the UK.

This dress for Madalyn, and the one below
(having slightly differing trim on waist and bodice)
were made for sisters in the USA
The fabric is an embroidered chiffon, which I managed to find after scouring
many fabric shops - it is difficult to find such fabric in white (or at all!)

Francesca's dress

Holly's dress is the only one I've got to see being tried on!
I was glad to see that I managed to get it to fit just right,
from the measurements given!

I made a similar one last year for Lucy's sister,
so it was a pleasure to be making another one for her,
in a different patterned fabric.

These last two photos show a dress made for Louise
in a dotted Swiss cotton fabric,
as specifically requested by her mother.

Back view of Louise's dress showing the ribbon ties,
made from same trim as waistband.

Hopefully I will receive photos of all the girls when they wear them for their special day receiving Our Blessed Lord for the first time.