Whew! Where do I begin? I was honored to be a guest at the wedding of Mimi G and Norris Ford last Saturday. It was breathtakingly beautiful. That’s not a phrase I’m throwing around. Seriously, there were so many moments during both the ceremony and reception that took my breath away.
It was a private ceremony, which made it all the more special. The intimacy and serene atmosphere were just too incredible for words. You had to be in attendance to even begin to understand just how amazing it was. No explanation will do it justice, so I won’t even try.
However, I will to share the best highlight of the evening. Norris blew us away! This man learned Spanish so that he could speak his vows to his bride in Spanish. Now, I forgot to put tissues or a handkerchief in my purse. Fortunately Tiffany’s husband came prepared and handed tissues to all the sew sisters sitting near him. OoooWeee! I had to fight to keep it together. No ugly crying at the wedding. Hahaha! Light sniffles and eye dabbing were the limit.
Of course, the sew sisters went FIERCE on their dresses. I mean, it’s the Mimi G & Norris wedding, so you NEED to show up ON POINT!!! Hahaha!!! Everyone was absolutely stunning. What a joy it was to hang out with these very talented ladies.We had such a blast, laughing and dancing the night away. The fellas showed up SHARP too!
As the BIG DAY neared, I started planning for my dress. I began much later than I had planned and found myself in a situation. After finishing the first dress I made for the wedding, I decided a few days later that I didn’t want to wear it. I changed my mind. Whyyyy???!!! Why do I do these things to myself.
I quickly pulled Simplicity 8330, ran to Joann’s for fabric and I was off to the race. It was 5 days before the wedding. Who DOES THAT?!!! I was confident I could pull it off because I chose a simple pattern that I had already sewn before. I’m very slow with my sewing, but no big deal! I’ve GOT THIS!!!
Well, well, well! Your girl chose a Stretch Panne Velour Fabric. Okay, no problem, right? Not at ALL, until you cut the lower skirt of the dress upside down. I didn’t realize what I had done until I tried on the dress and the bottom half was all dark. It’s a nap fabric and all pieces MUST be cut in the same direction. Noooooo!!! Then, I look for the pattern tissue for that piece when I see something that makes me scream. Half of the pattern tissue is sticking out from under the vacuum. Noooooo!!!
I left the pattern piece on the floor the night before, totally forgetting that I had scheduled the Roomba vacuum to run the next morning. It ate my pattern tissue. It was beyond repair.
I grab the keys, rush to Joann’s, praying the entire time that they still have the fabric (because there wasn’t much left after my purchase). If they don’t have the pattern, I can make another piece.
I’m speed-walking up and down the aisles, clutching my pearls that I’m not wearing, not seeing the fabric. My heart starts pumping. I’m devising Plan B, which was actually Plan A from the start. Just wear the first dress, Anita!!! I can’t find the fabric!!!
I rush to the cutting counter and show the clerk the fabric bolt on my phone (I always take pictures of the bolt ends, just in case I need more fabric.). She looks it up and the inventory shows there’s more in the store. Heavy breathing. She takes me to the aisle and slowly goes through the bolts. Hurry UP girl! Then I spot it! I scream, “There it is!!!” She grabs it. I exhale. Whew!!! Self inflicted drama is the worst.
I finished the final step the morning of the wedding. The dress was a tad bit too short in the back, so I had to cut a band to sew to the bottom of the hem. Fortunately, the fabric looks just fine without a hem. Hahaha!!! I didn’t hem it and the drape is beautiful.
If you like the evening clutch I’m carrying, there’s a tutorial on my YouTube channel for a DIY Clutch.
Note to self: Don’t EVER wait until the last minute to sew for a special event. Next wedding is in August. That dress needs to be ready about three weeks in advance. Hahaha! Hmmm… Maybe I’ll wear the first dress I made for this wedding.
If the top of this dress looks familiar to you, it’s because I made View C, the shorter version, in July of 2017 to wear to our dear friend’s retirement party. For this gown, I used the bodice of View C and the upper and lower skirts for View B. The dress is fully lined and I used a lightweight stretch knit that I picked up from the Michael Levine Loft years ago.
I think this pattern would make a fabulous wedding gown. I’ll share the first dress I made for the wedding next. It’s a really pretty dress and I plan to wear it in the future. I want to make a hat to go with it. We shall see.
Thanks for stopping by!
I discovered this page while searching for examples of Simplicity 8330, and I just had to comment to say how incredible this dress is! Perfect combination of fabric and pattern, beautifully sewn, and it fits you perfectly! Amazing work.
Love the telling of your self imposed drama….Lord why do we (ladies) do that to ourselves? Love the dress! Anita you defiantly inspire! Gotta go see your tutorial for the clutch.
Yes, Monica! Why do we do that to ourselves? Hahaha!
I know I’m late to the Party but your recount is hilarious!! The ups and downs we have as creatives… but the reward we end up with is priceless! Thanks for sharing your experience and YES! Your dress looks amaazing! Beautiful!!
LOL! Thank you so much, Dee!
Simply gorgeous!
Anita, you look amazing!
Glad you’re back, you are truly an inspiration.
Gorgeous. You are an inspiration.
Lindo !I Maravilloso!
Wow! This dress is courageous, very detailed.
Thank you!
Wow! You made an amazing dress & you look beautiful in it. You are a blessing to the average person like me who needs the right combination of encouragement & patience in learning to sew.
Wow! What a story! I had to keep reading as fast as possible to find out what would happen! I’m so glad it all worked out! You look beautiful in your dress, and it sounds like the wedding was amazing. The dress looks great inside and out.
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U looks amazing in that dress. Seems like last minute rush pays off really well.wow and ur finishing is so neat. I really want to learn how to do that.
Thank you so much Dionne! It really did pay off this time.
What a drama! The result is stunning however. You certainly look fantastic in this dress.
Now I’m immensely curious about the first dress and if it was truly worth the stress of making the second. I’m sure it would have been just as lovely.
Yes, Tina, the first dress was gorgeous! I will share it here on the blog as soon as I get some photos wearing it. I love the second dress, so for me, all the drama paid off.
Wonderful job. You looked beautiful as always.
Thank you Jeanette!
Anita, you look beautiful. You did it again. The dress is awesome!!! You always make beautiful clothes. I bet you made the purse too. LOL I know you make purses with your fabulous outfits. GREAT JOB!!
Thank you, Sheila! Yes, I made the evening clutch too.
Beautiful model, beautiful dress
Thank you Pam!
Great job! You make that dress look so good. Every time I head your blog, I’m inspired until I walk away from the computer. 🙂
Thank you Tarah!
You look absolutely amazing. What a wonderful job you did on the dress. So glad you had a great time at the wedding.
Thank you Aretha!
WOW…JUST…WOW!!!!
The back is just as beautiful as the outside that you could rock this inside out! (Just kidding but not really LOL)
Seriously though, amazing job and you look beautiful.
Shalom!
Thank you so much, Queenester! I love it when the inside is just as beautiful.
Stunning in every way!!! Your arms and neck look amazing as well!!! Great job and thanks for sharing. Ohhh and yes, self induced drama is the worst!!
Hahaha! Thank you so much Yamaris!
Beautiful dress. You look amazing. I love this fabric. I used the same fabric last year for a dress I made from McCalls 7711. I love your attention to details.
Thank you Zina! I’m sure your dress was beautiful too. The drape on this fabric is amazing!
Beautiful dress for a beautiful woman!! You knocked it straight out the park!! Love the fit!!
Thank you Tisa!
My dearest Anita, while reading your explanations and the thrill of sewing your beautiful dresses just before an event, made me all excited and happy to see you Rise Again. You look fabulous as usual. You are a very exciting person. I hope to meet up with you one of these great days. Are you coming to the UK any time soon. Your clutch purse pattern is very good tutorial. Enjoy yourself
Thank you Dinny! One of these days, I shall visit the UK.
Girl you made it work! The fit is perfection and I love the fabric choice!
Thank you Dei!
Wow! What a wonderful “adventure” in making the dress! I love how you were able to make some quick decisions and get it done in time. Your slow sewing paid off yet again! Your wormanship is immaculate! It is stunning and looks stunning on you! Kudos!
It was truly an adventure, Carrie, that paid off in the end. Thank you so much!
Ms. ANITA!!! YOU LOOK AMAZINGLY BEAUTIFUL!! I love your dress and yes, you are on my list of sewist to follow. I will definitely share with my new sewing group this fall!
Thank you so much, Marica! I really appreciate that.
Anita, that dress looks fabulous!!! And you look absolutely Beautiful in it. I was so inspired I purchased this pattern last week to make view C. However, the dress is fully lined and I’m nervous about the lining turning out correct. I’m having a hard time understanding the order in which to create the lining. I assumed I would be able to follow the pattern, and create the lining then insert into the dress. I’m so confused . I love this dress. Please, if you can the order in which I should construct the lining.
Thank you!
Mrs Anita you looked like the queen of the ball, This dress was perfectly made by you for you. So beautiful. I seen you being loud, having fun, enjoying and so pretty, you and Brittany had it going on. That wedding from what I saw was mmmmmmmmm. Indescribable delicious
Yeeesss! We had a blast! Thank you so much!
Anita, what a wonderful story. You made me feel as if I was there with you! You look BEAUTIFUL. Thank you for sharing! God Bless You!
Thank you Dara!
Nice dress, Anita! I was LOL!!! when I read the excitement in your tone as you went back to JoAnn’s to get more of the same fabric for your dress. I know how that feels. It has happened too many times for me to count! You look lovely Anita. I love the print and the style of your dress. It was beautiful to see you and the Sew Sisters together in your photo. I follow most of their blogs and vlogs. What a lovely group of women! No doubt Mimi and Norris’ wedding was an elegant affair. They are a ‘power couple’ who seem to work well together in their business. Take care and happy sewing!
Thank you so much, Patricia! Yeah, I think most of us have had a scare with fabric. Everything was amazing!
You got me ROTFL.. All the same you look gorgeous as always and wishing the couple their best time together and forever
It really was hilarious, Rayja! Hahaha!!!
Great job on your dress Anita! You’re good at telling a story. You had me rolling laughing when you spotted the piece devoured by the Vacuum!
Thank you so much! Hahaha!!! Vanessa, it was a SHOCKER!!!
Beautiful dress!! This post had me chuckling as I could vision the panic stricken trip to Joanne’s trying to find more fabric. How many of us have done that?? My hand is raised over here!! I now know to take a picture of the bolt, never though of that before, thank you for the tip. I saw glimpses of wedding posted on IG and it looked like a beautiful event. Thanks for sharing!
Hey Kim! Yes, keeping photos of the bolts is very helpful. I have a separate folder on my phone for fabric. Hahaha!
It is beautiful inside and out just like you!
Awww, thank you Carmen!
Wow! Anita, you looked amazing as usual!! I absolutely love the fabric!! What a nice choice!
You even had my heart pumping while reading your story while in JoAnn’s !! LOL!
I’m glad they found it!
Keep doing what you do…”Living in your DESIGN, so God can shine through you!!”
Blessings to you always!
~ Yvette
Hi Yvette! Thank you so much. Yes, it was a tense moment in Joann’s. I will keep allowing Him to SHINE!
Beautiful! Anita, did you make your purse also?
Thank you Liz! Yes, I made the purse. Totally forgot to mention that. Let me go insert that information.