How Santa does it.

 Before Christmas Santa got a request. 

Violet wanted a Princess wedding dress to add to her dress-up collection.  Of course Santa sent  this request to his head Elf in charge of Princess apparel. 

So this head Elf pondered how to full fill this request and thought about just making something simple... like a long tulle tutu attach to a white leotard with some simple trim.

Then she headed to Saver (you didn't know Santa Elves shopped Savers...even Santa's elves are on a tight budget).  

So while she was searching the racks for something that might work she spotted this...  

A size 2 toddler dress for under $5 with a 20% off coupon ( yes we elves use coupons too)

She quickly bought it and hurried back to the workshop to work the magic of making it into a size 4 that could also "grow" with a  fast growing princess.

Okay...elf magic involves a sew ripper, some princess fabric and a few hours.

First she removed the skirt and opened up the side seams and the sleeve seams up to the cuff.  

In the side seam she inserted a 4 inch panel of shiny white lycra that tapered to a point at the sleeve cuff. Plenty of room for growth.  And stretch to accomadate the movement of an active little princess.

Then she  added a 2 inch band of interfaced satin to lengthen the bodice.  Satin belt loop were added to hold the  2 inch satin ribbon in place that  would pull in the extra bodice fullness to fit a tiny waist and camouflage  the length addition.

Next she  lengthen the beautiful beaded and ruffled skirt by adding 12 inches of lining to to top.  This was longer than needed but a tuck was added to take up the extra length... that could be let out as this princess grew.

Then she  add a "Belle style over-skirt  that could be  gather up or let down to accommodate growth. This was all gathered and attached back to the bodice.

The quick little veil was  tulle roll hemmed with shiny rayon thread, gathered and hot-glued to a Dollar Store headband (yes, Santa's elves also shop at the Dollar Store)!

 

JOB DONE

A beautiful little dress-up gown  that  will make this  little girl  (and few others)  feel like a princess bride for several years to come.

This is Christmas magic at it's best.