With a Week to Spare!

After much worry and anticipation, I am delighted to say that Amelia's costume is finished! Not only does the zipper work, but the dress fits properly and resembles what we started out to make. This is my first official sewing project that I did from start to finish, with a few exceptions (my mom got to put on all of the fun details). It certainly isn't perfect, butI am so very proud of my creation!

There was a part of me that was fearful that I would have to explain to Amelia what the dress was and that she would give me a confused look and say something like, "I know Belle and that's no Belle dress". Thankfully, though, Amelia is happy, too! She came down yesterday after waking up and yelled, "My Belle dress, mommy! Look at my Belle dress!!" before I even had a chance to point it out to her. She is constantly repeating this line nearly every time she passes by it and has asked countless times to put it on.

This week I went out and bought a white turtleneck to go under it as well as some shoes (I bypassed the sparkle glitter Mary Janes in favor of black patent leather ones that can be worn again at Christmas). I also found a crown WITH Belle's picture on it, but Amelia turned it down flat. She, apparently, would rather wear the crown she received in a Happy Meal a couple of months back.

So, without further ado.

The dress in all its glory

the dress sans the "shawl"

the back...

close-up of the rosette and "diamond" detailing