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Saturday, November 1, 2008

Square Biz - Little Bo Beeps Wedding Dress?


About 20 years ago, my grandmother gave me the wedding dress she wore when she married my grandfather (very handsome couple don't you think?).  She made me promise to use it (notice I didn't say wear it) while saying neither of her daughters would ever wear it, so I was her best chance.  I promised I would, but she may have had a better shot leaving it to one of my infant cousins.  Here I am almost 40, never married, and no prospect of a husband.  Making lemons out of lemonade...I do have a wonderful baby girl coming home soon.  What better way to use a part of my grandmother's dress than by capturing her love with a little square for Baby I's quilt?  But I wondered is this the right thing to do, to cut up her dress? My prom dress is one thing but the wedding dress?  Hmmm, not so sure.  I decided to try the dress on to make sure I was doing the right thing.  

First, let me set the picture for you.  My house is just cold.  I refuse to cut the heat on before Nov.  and the thermostat reads 57.  So, I'm living in my basement family room and bedroom with a space heater, but I don't have a long mirror downstairs so I'm upstairs in my bedroom room shivering.  I step into the dress and hear rips in the back and start to laugh.  I keep going.  I put my arms in the sleeves and wonder "hmm, don't they go any further than this"?  Ok, now I go to the mirror and look a little puzzled.  I look at my grandmother's picture to see how the dress is supposed to look.  I look in the mirror.  Picture.  Mirror.  Picture.  Mirror.  This goes on for a few more times then I bust out laughing.  The only thing I say out loud is "An Overgrown Little Bo Peep on Crack".  Oh, I forgot to say I was conditioning my hair so I had a scarf on my head.  Okay, I think it will be better if I take the scarf off.  I do.  Like that is any better.  Not.  I laugh even harder.  Then I think.  Little Bo Peep as a Line Backer?  I say out loud again (it's a good thing I live by myself), "How did my Grandmother fit into this"?  I should have known better.  When she gave me the dress, 20 years and 20 pounds ago, I couldn't fit into it, but I guess I'm just a glutton for punishment.  If I didn't live by myself I would have taken the Little Bo Beep pictures for you, minus the sheep of course.


I decided that my grandmother, at this point, was sitting with the rest of my elders in heaven, laughing hysterically and saying please do something else with that dress.  We forbade you to wear it like that.  I'm a little (okay, a lot) too old for the Little Bo Peep look so I held my breath and cut part of the train for Baby I's quilt.  It seemed like the thing went on forever.  I'm sure she won't be turning over in her grave about the dress, this is the most play this dress has seen in over 60 years!  She will forgive me for cutting a foot or so of it.  

 The remainder of the dress I will save for the day I get married and use to get a dress made.  Something more Sex in the City less Nursery Rhyme.  And if I never get married I'll save it for Baby I and use it to get something fabulous made for her wedding.  I promise G'Ma the dress will get used again for more than Baby I's quilt, but it's all for love and at least a quilt will get used (okay, maybe not if I only hang it on the wall.  Please tell me not to do this) more than once.  

16 comments:

Robbin Hopkins said...

I was laughing at the beginning of this post. Don't you know that they were WAYYYYY smaller than us and even the same size numbers don't fit the same!!!! I was like "dang" she can fit her Grandma dress! Then alas, you talked me right off the ledge when the rip came!!

Too cute, I think she won't mind.


Robbin

kn said...

You are so funny!

she's happy you cut the square out - I feel sure. Plus you have that amazing photo of the two of them. They were movie star handsome.

I Love Purple More Than You said...

What a fantastic wedding photo of your grandparents! Handsome couple indeed! And I was laughing my head off at your attempt to try on the dress.

I think using part of the train for the quilt is a great idea! Especially when you plan to use other parts of the dress in the future.

Angela said...

Girl you are soo funny!! Are you a comedian or what?! I haven't laughed all day until now!

Gracie's Mom said...

Hilarious! You truely missed your calling. I'm sure your grandmother is quite proud of you and they were definately a gorgeous couple.

-C said...

Still laughing....your grandparents are quite a good looking couple.

C

Tricia and Anthony said...

Hi Tami,
Thanks for visiting my blog! What a beautiful quilt your baby will have. So special. -Tricia

VALARIE said...

Tami I laugh at the thought. Here is one more thing to do with your grandmothers dress. There is a company that will take dresses or fabric of loved ones and turn them into a bear. They are really nice and would be a way for you to pass the dress to your baby. Check out the link

http://treasuredmemorybears.wordpress.com/gallery/

http://www.memorybearsbyrobyn.com/gallery2/main.php?g2_page=6

Anonymous said...

excellent use of the dress!!! and, dang woman - your grandparents look like freakin' movie stars. so gorgeous and glam.

Tami said...

Thanks Valarie. I just may do that.

trice said...

Another Idea,

A woman at work had her dress turned into a christening gown and a christening tux. she can now pass them down to her kids and their kids. if i had a dress to remake, that's what i would do.

looking forward to hear what you decide....

Tami said...

Trice- My mother just mentioned that idea also. I like that idea also. I have to hurry up and get my dossier in so I can start on my baby boy adoption huh? LOL

trice said...

LOL. Baby I could have a boy one day and you can give both to her.

Hey, dinner on Friday works for me. email me directly so we can discuss. i couldn't find your email, not sure if its even posted.

tricey210@yahoo.com

Barbara said...

Beautiful pic,and great way to use the dress. I like the bear idea too!

Queen Diva said...

Your grandparents made a very nice couple! They look fabulous!

Andrea

QB said...

You could have taken a picture in a mirror! It was just as funny to hear you tell it, I'm sure. And I imagine that your grandmother is happy for your use of the dress.