Something a bit Special

Have you ever had the generation gap feeling? I remember a few choice moments. In a local China Museum I asked why my then six year old had not flushed the toilet and she said there wasn't a flush - I walked into the cubicle and pulled the chain. He jaw dropped and I realised she had absolutely no idea what I was doing. I also remember her asking me when she was seven what the black thing was in the dining room. It was my grandparents old bakelite telephone and I had to show her how to use it. Why such ramblings?...

Because we have been invited to a black tie 21st Birthday party. Not as the crowd that will be dancing on the tables, camping in the field and throwing up in the porta loos but the parent generation of the birthday boy. I know I am the last in my friendship group to have children but jeez when did that happen?

Anyway, I got my sew on and made myself a special dress. I have never sewn with guipure lace before and I can safely say it requires a lot of tacking/basting. The background fabric and the lace need to be tacked together so that each panel works as a single piece of fabric. I used the lace on its own on the sleeve to take advantage of the border edge.

I chose a crepe as the skirt and decided I would think about whether to put my 1950's petticoat underneath at the end. I did, and it gives it a nice shape.

What present do you get for a young man who you don't really know very well? You sew something of course. I made Ben a cummerbund, bow tie and hankie for his future black tie events and parties. I am really pleased with the duchess satin and the vibrant colour. His mum, my great friend from my Young Farmer Club days, said he would love it. 

 

I found an areosol spray in the shed, sprayed a box from The Works then added his name. It has turned out to be a kind of men's jewellery box for ties, cuff links and suchlike as well as the perfect wrapping.

Tonight's the night. Party on!