With the Snowball Dance scheduled to start in five and a half hours I found myself playing the roll of Fairy Godmother to my twelve year old granddaughter, whom we recently adopted. My precious little Cinderella is Patricia!
A couple weeks before the dance the girls rushed into to kitchen with excitement written all over their faces. Bubbling with enthusiasm they told me about a dance the school was going to hold for the students from 5th through 8th grade. Of course the dance would be well chaperoned. The one thing that made this dance more exciting than the others was the fact that this was to be a "formal" dance. Neither of the girls had ever attended a formal dance.
I replied, "That sounds like fantastic fun! I understand the excitement. I remember the first time I was to attend a formal dance. Gee, I was so anxious I could hardly wait!"
Patricia jumped with joy, "Oh, Grandma does that mean you'll let us go? Oh, please, please say we can go, PLEASE!"
I said, "Well, I sure hope you'll get to go, but you must realize store bought formals are pretty expensive and our budget very limited."
Mary, our fourteen year old daughter chimed in, "But mom, couldn't you make formals for us?"
I looked at my calendar which was filled with tasks and commitments. Then I stated, "It takes a lot of time to shop for patterns and material. It also takes even more time to cut them out and make them. With all of the other commitments and tasks ahead of me I feel it would be a near impossible task to make two formals in time for the dance. I suggest you try to borrow formals - if you can."
Mary had no problem obtaining a formal. About three days before the dance she brought it home to get it pressed and ready. When she tried it on she discovered it was too big but with a tuck and there I soon had it fitting just perfect.
Patricia had informed me that she could borrow a formal from her friend. She knew it would fit because she had tried it on a while back. Her friend was to drop the formal off at our house the day before the dance.
Patricia waited and waited all that day for her friend to bring it by. When evening came Patricia went to the phone to call her friend but there was no answer. Patricia was filled with worry and disappointment. She said, "Grandma, she promised! I just don't understand why she didn't bring it like she said she would."
I tried to soothe her, "Honey something surely has came up that prevented her from bringing it. But don't worry, and please don't be sad!"
About thirty minutes later the phone rang. Patricia rushed to answer it... It was her friend. There had been an emergency. Her grandmother had to be taken to the hospital. Patricia was told that we could come pick up the formal about eleven o'clock the next morning, which was the day of the dance.
After we got home with the formal Patricia headed to the bedroom to try it on. Soon I heard Patricia call for me to come and help her. When I opened the door I saw her face. I knew something was really wrong. She said, "Grandma, help me, I can't get it zipped."
I looked the situation over and saw it was too small. I said, "Well, Patricia it may have fit you a while back but you've gained a few pounds since you've been living here with us. There's absolutely no way you can wear that formal for the dance." With much sadness she slipped the formal back on the hanger.
I asked Mary to get lunch ready, and onto the table because Patricia and I had something we must do.
I picked up my purse and took Patricia's hand and said, "Come on, Patricia we must hurry." Patricia and I quickly headed for the car.
I drove to the local variety store. Upon entering the store the sales lady came to meet us. I told her the situation and asked her for fast help. She quickly measured Patricia, then suggested an easy simple pattern and some inexpensive fabrics.
While Patricia was still swirling in bewilderment I made my purchase and we headed for home. As I drove home I asked the Lord to please help me with this near impossible task.
Lunch was ready when we arrived home. I asked everyone to grab a fast bite and clear the table so I could spread the material on the table and start cutting.
My grown daughter, Bonnie dropped by unexpectedly. It was 1:30. I was just pulling the pattern out of the envelope. When she saw what I was about to attempt she said, "Mom, don't you think you're a wee bit crazy to attempt to make a formal and have Patricia ready for that dance by seven o'clock?" I told her that I'd stand a better chance if she'd stick around and help me.
Now Bonnie is a gal who sets her sights on success. She usually always comes out a winner. She felt this project would be nothing but a big FLOP so she bowed out gracefully and quickly left the scene.
There wasn't much time; I skipped reading the directions. I placed the pattern pieces on the fabric and started cutting.
I cut the bodice and stitched it together, then I pressed the seams. Next I cut the skirt and the bottom ruffles.
By the time I had stitched the skirt together, hemmed the ruffles and prepared the gathering stitches it was almost five o'clock.
I told Patricia that I may not get the formal finished in time because it was almost time to fix dinner and there was a lot more sewing to do.
Mary quickly spoke up, "Mom, I'll fix dinner so you can keep right on sewing! "Which she did!
I said to Patricia, "Honey I still may not get it finished in time." Patricia said, "That's ok Grandma, I'll still be happy even if you don't, because I know you're really trying hard to do it for me!"
I suggested she try to locate another formal to borrow just in case I couldn't get it finished in time. Patricia emphatically stated, "No need to do that Grandma! I know you'll get if finished in time. I have lots of confidence in you, Grandma! You'll get it ready in time. I just know you will!"
I said a another silent pray."Dear Lord, please don't let me disappoint her. Please help me, Lord! I desperately need Your help!"
As I gathered the ruffles and started to pin them in place I realized that even without pins it was just falling into place. I skipped the pinning and just started sewing as fast as I could. Much to my delight it was going together almost like magic! "Oh, thank You, Lord!"
Soon I had the skirt joined to the bodice and was ready to tackle the zipper. Now zippers are not usually an easy task for me; therefore I generally pin the zipper in place by pinning it every inch or two, before I begin to sew.
I looked at the clock It was 6:20. I realized there was no time to pin anything! Again, I skipped the pinning and just started sewing. I stitched down one side and back up the other. Looking at it I realized that I couldn't have done a better job if I had taken an hour to pin and sew it.
It was like invisible hands had held it into place for me! I said, "Ah! Thank ,You Lord!"
The formal was to have bouffant sleeves, a sash which tied in a big bow in back, and frills were to go around the neckline. But since time was running out I just left the bodice plain and put spaghetti straps across the shoulders.
Before the next dance I'll add the other items; making it look like a different gown altogether.
When I handed the finished formal to Patricia I said a silent prayer, "Thank You, Thank You Lord!"
At 6:55 both girls were ready to go to the dance which was just a few blocks away.
Mary was wearing a beautiful royal blue tea-length formal. Patricia was wearing a floor length peach taffeta creation. They were beauties for our eyes to behold!
As they were about to leave Patricia turned to me and said, "Grandma, I feel just like Cinderella, who was magically decked out in a beautiful gown created by her Fairy Godmother!"
My reply,"Honey, the way that gown just fell together I almost felt like a Fairy Godmother!"
With God's help nothing is impossible!
Mary Katherine Kohl
9-4-1990
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