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40th at Carnevale in Venice

The total ensemble.  A local beading shop lent me the necklace in return for a photo of the experience.

My friend Melanie recently turned 40.  For years she had been saying that she was going to celebrate this event in Venice at Carnival.  A trip was planned.  I asked my husband if he would like to go.  He responded, “I couldn’t think of anything I’d hate more”.  Fine, “Bye, bye, darling”

So, Mel, Fern (and HER husband) Soon and I headed off to revel in Venice … leaving behind the balmy summer weather of Auckland for snow.

I would just have been bad manners to turn up to such an event without the appropriate attire.  We investigated and discovered that renting a costume for an evening would set us back about EUR260.  “Rubbish”, says me, “we can make them for heaps less than that!”.  So, armed with that mantra we went shopping – for curtaining taffeta on sale.

Simplicty 3637 was deemed too impractical for getting through doors and into boats, so we decided to combine the bodice of 3637 with the skirt of Simplicity 4092 (no one wanted to forego the watteau back of 3637).  I made my dress first (which is why mine has the overly decorous neckline).  I then cut the dresses, underskirts and panniers for Mel, Fern and Lisa (who wanted a dress for the later masquerade dinner but did not come to Venice with us).  Then, using my dress as their template, I oversaw Mel, Fern and Lisa, who had never sewed before, making their own dresses.

I am very proud of them and their excellent results.  Fern sewed every stitch of her dress and decided to bead the embellishment panels as well.

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  1. Catbabay | | #1

    Wow... Great experience for the 40th. What did Mel tell you? She loved it for sure :) Me too...

  2. sewmafrani | | #2

    Wow! What fun! Dress looked GREAT! I know about making those roses. You did yourself proud. Happy Birthday, Mel!

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