Prom Dress Miracle

I couldn't wait to share a real life miracle that happened today.

Remember Lexee's pink and silver lace Prom dress (refresher here)?  We took it back (Lex decided that it WAS a tad short - for a long dress).  After several more stores and numerous additional try-ons, Lex selected another dress.  This time in a champagne/blush color, with snazzy sequins on top.  Strapless, of course.  (Nearly all formal dresses with sleeves/straps around these parts are granny dresses, and boy, has Lex let me know, since I encouraged her on not-a-few occasions to "just give it a try."  That cap-sleeved satin fuchsia dress was always in the back of my mind.  As a last resort, of course.)

Since Lex's indecision put us behind a bit, and since the Prom dress took nearly her entire budget (all but $5), and she would be footing the alteration bill herself, I offered to put the straps/sleeves on for her.  

No charge.

We shopped JoAnns for fabric.  I had been concerned all along that it might be tricky to find something that would "go" with the champagne/blush color, let alone semi-match it.  We didn't have great success, but found a crushed tulle in a taupe-ish color that could possibly work (I was still worried).  I sat on it a couple of days.

Today, I determined, I simply MUST at least start the process of alterations.  I carefully scrutinized several of my neighbor's professionally altered dresses.  I decided to run to my two local stores that carry fabric, Hobby Lobby and Walmart, just to say I had covered every base.  I purchased $6 worth of half-yard fabric pieces at Hobby Lobby, thinking they might give me options.  Then I headed to Walmart.

The fabric section was a disaster.  Boxes everywhere, blocking aisles, and making it difficult to navigate.  On the cutting table there was a sign:  "For assistance, please go to the Photo Center or Electronics."  I scanned the bolts of fabric down every aisle.  I spotted some dusty rose colored tulle, and wondered if it would be worth adding to my Options collection.  Then I walked to an aisle in the back.  One that I have probably never looked at before.  That is when the miracle happened.

A bolt of champagne-ish/blush-ish sheer fabric.

I did not have the dress with me to compare, and I told myself it was most likely not the match I thought it was, but at $2.50/yd, I certainly had nothing to lose.  I walked to the Photo Center for assistance, and purchased 2 yards (way more than I needed, but I wanted to have some back-up IF it was the match I was hoping for).  When I arrived at my car, I quickly checked it against the Prom dress laying across the back seat.

I swear I could hear angels singing.

Since then, I have been tirelessly working on the dress.  I actually made two sets of "straps" (I'm not sure what to call them, since they really aren't "sleeves"), the second set much wider, since I'm all for more coverage.  They were a no-go for Lex, and when it came down to it, once the wider straps were gathered, they didn't cover much more than the thinner straps.  I conceded to Lex, and began work on sewing the straps on the dress.

It has been much more difficult and time-consuming than I had anticipated, but well worth the cost effectiveness.  What do you think?

Miracles happen.