79 Days to Go: Karen’s Donation
This piece came from Karen who just lives a hop, skip, and a jump away from me in Seal Beach, CA!! I loved the story and I loved how she started her story…
Oh what a story! My mom (91 at this writing) is and was a glamour queen back in the day. I am a professional organizer by trade and asked her if she would like some assistance in her own closet. We spent two days clearing out her walk-in closet so that the only clothes remaining are the ones that ‘make her heart sing’! She had some beautiful, gorgeous, long gowns that she used to wear to galas and dinners with my Dad, but her lifestyle doesn’t include these types of events anymore so she released all of them to me. I saved one of them for you to do your magic with.
I’m too short for this dress!!
Look at the length!
The top crepe layer is sheer and pleated, which I love! Check out the sleeves – prepare to lace up!!
Look at those sleeves!
I loved the bold color of this piece and really couldn’t wait to get started on it! (I was really excited because I started doing some sort of flamenco dance to make the beads shake in the empty hallway…)
Dancin', dancin', dancin'
“The colors are so vibrant, the bead work is exquisite and the crepe material gives it some flair! “ Totally right Karen – time to get to work!
I started on the sleeves first and trimmed out the red, strappy, laces.
Strap Cutting!
Doing this opened up the sleeves completely. We’ll come back here in a minute!
They're gone!
I’m going to turn this into a summery halter, so I trimmed the long skirt/under layer next.
Goodbye under layer!
With the cranberry under layer gone…
Clean cut
I had this. I couldn’t stop thinking how it kind of felt like a long loincloth, because of the curved bottom!!
Any other loincloth takers?
To continue on my halter-ish ways, I decided to adjust the length and trimmed off about eight inches. (I’m holding onto this gorgeous material to make something else with the remnants!)
Straight edge trim!
After tweaking the length, I went back to the top of the piece. I trimmed a straight line down the back – cut from the neckline all the way down to the waist. I’m going to take each side and tie them together to secure the top.
Trim down the back!
I placed pins in the areas at the neck where I wanted my straps to go just to test out location before permanently stitching in place. Kind of similar to a party…you get there, you make some rounds to scope out the crowd, then you pick your spot 
Halter Placeholder!
I added two strands of ribbon at my pinned place holders for halter straps…
Halter Straps!!
…and then with back trimmed down the center, I tied both ends together! (I also cinched with a safety pin towards the top of the back just for extra security. I know how my sneaks come unlaced, so I’m taking precautions!!)
Tied Ends!!
All the steps were complete and the top was ready to wear! I took a fitted black bandeau/tube top and wore that underneath to assist in the sheer factor and threw on a pair of jeans from the bottom of my jeans stack in my armoire. I totally forgot about this pair so they felt like brand new! I LOVE when that happens!
Day 79 - After
The tied back was casual and beachy feeling! I’m a sucker for open backed pieces, especially when it’s hot out.
Tied in the back!
I had plans with two of my favorite people to grab tacos and thought this top would fit right in with the atmosphere.
Taco Time!
I matched the table, that’s for sure!!
Summer Nights!
My mom is so precious to me and it would be an honor to see one of her pieces in your collection.
It’s an honor for me to have her piece Karen, so I thank you for sending it my way. I lost it when you mentioned how your mom wanted to hold onto the pieces that ‘made her heart sing’… I think that’s exactly what clothes are about, all the memories. Remembering the things you did in them, how you felt. I have some sentimental pieces that always make me happy to look at because they remind me of who I was with and where I was going. That’s some big stuff right there.
Your mother is one fabulous lady…
