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rivendellmom Forum Pro
Joined: Feb 15 2005 Location: Illinois
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Posted: Jan 23 2007 at 6:36am | IP Logged
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While preparing for First Communion this year Mary mentioned that she doesn't want to wear a white dress. We've already arranged with Father that she attend a regular Sunday Mass when the time comes. In the past her brothers have been lumped in with the ccd kids and its a huge deal with about a hundred kids. She said she doesn't want strangers looking at her. ( I guess the other people at Mass don't count?) I don't know if its a comfort issue (she will only wear Hanna Andersson dresses/underwear due to her scratchy fabric issues) or just another way of making the day her own.
She said she would like a pastel colored dress. One of my biggest obstacles in determining what to do- is that she is my only girl- she is the only granddaughter on both sides of the family. The grandmas and well -me really want to see her in a "First Commuinion Dress"
I'm hoping some has already dealt with this issue- any thoughts?
Jen
__________________ Jen in suburban Chicagoland Mom to Connor(91), Garrett(93), Reilly (95), Mary Katherine (98), Declan (05), Ronan in ^i^ 6/28/08
visit our new blog: http://recreationalscholar.blogspot.com/
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alicegunther Forum All-Star
Joined: Jan 28 2005 Location: N/A
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Posted: Jan 23 2007 at 7:01am | IP Logged
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If this were my daughter, I would explain to her the beauty and symbolism of white for first Holy Communion--innocence, purity, and readiness to receive. Just as babies wear white on their Baptism and new converts are given a white gown on the Easter Vigil, wearing white is an important part of the ceremony and experience.
If comfort is an issue, I would look for a pure white Hanna Andersson dress. Then I would ask her her favorite colors and make sure they are prominent in her bouquet!
__________________ Love, Alice
mother of seven!
Cottage Blessings
Brew yourself a cup of tea, and come for a visit!
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Elena Forum All-Star
Joined: Aug 13 2006 Location: Ohio
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Posted: Jan 23 2007 at 8:36am | IP Logged
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My grandma made my first communion dress. It was white but it had a colord sash! Maybe something like that would be a good compromise for your daughter!
__________________ Elena
Wife to Peter, mom of many!
My Domestic Church
One Day at a Time
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5athome Forum Pro
Joined: Oct 01 2005 Location: Texas
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Posted: Jan 23 2007 at 9:48am | IP Logged
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Could you dig out your wedding album and get her interested that way? My dc love to see the wedding pictures.
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Mary G Forum All-Star
Joined: Feb 07 2005 Location: Virginia
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Posted: Jan 23 2007 at 1:41pm | IP Logged
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I'm knitting Maggie an off-white (actually more like ivory) dress to go with the bonnet I had made for her christening (which she'll wear, opened up as a short veil). My thought was to do a sash in dusty green with dusty rose-colored roses scattered on it....this way she can also wear her dress to her cousin's wedding in June (as none of those folks will see her FHC).
But, I'm with Elena -- bring color in through the sash -- and also it doesn't HAVE to be pure white; maybe a natural white would be more appealing? She may also be thinking some of the dresses she has seen are too frilly or fussy -- I know that Mom made my dress and it was very "me" -- plain, straight forward, no ruffles, just a simple short-sleeved aline dress....so maybe if you show her simple dresses?
Let us know how you solved this one....
__________________ MaryG
3 boys (22, 12, 8)2 girls (20, 11)
my website that combines my schooling, hand-knits work, writing and everything else in one spot!
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marihalojen Forum All-Star
Joined: Feb 12 2006 Location: Florida
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Posted: Jan 23 2007 at 2:21pm | IP Logged
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Marianna and I browsed all over the internet looking at dresses to discover what she liked (simple) and didn't (little wedding dresses). That might help bring some clarification and excitement to your daughter.
I wonder if you could make an overdress of a sheer pastel fabric that she could wear later on, like at Easter? White now, palest spring green (blue, purple, etc...) for Easter.
__________________ ~Jennifer
Mother to Mariannna, age 13
The Mari Hal-O-Jen
SSR = Sailing, Snorkling, Reading
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rivendellmom Forum Pro
Joined: Feb 15 2005 Location: Illinois
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Posted: Jan 23 2007 at 2:37pm | IP Logged
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Thanks for all the great ideas. I'll let you know what we come up with.
__________________ Jen in suburban Chicagoland Mom to Connor(91), Garrett(93), Reilly (95), Mary Katherine (98), Declan (05), Ronan in ^i^ 6/28/08
visit our new blog: http://recreationalscholar.blogspot.com/
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hylabrook1 Forum Moderator
Joined: July 09 2006
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Posted: Jan 23 2007 at 3:35pm | IP Logged
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I made a First Communion dress out of white eyelet that was scalloped on the edge and had buttonhole-like slits near the edge that you could weave ribbon through. The pattern was plain and simple (not frilly, lacy, like a wedding dress). I cut it out so that the scalloped edge and ribbon holes were at the bottom of the skirt and the edges of the short sleeves. Then I wove pale blue ribbon (think Mary) through those holes. I thought it was lovely!
Just another thought about a way to trim a white dress, bringing in a little color.
Peace,
Nancy
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JodieLyn Forum Moderator
Joined: Sept 06 2006 Location: Oregon
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Posted: Jan 23 2007 at 4:12pm | IP Logged
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or you can do a white all over eyelet or sheer type of fabric OVER a colored underdress.
__________________ Jodie, wife to Dave
G-18, B-17, G-15, G-14, B-13, B-11, G-9, B-7, B-5, B-4
All men who have turned out worth anything have had the chief hand in their own education.
-Sir Walter Scott
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RenB Forum Pro
Joined: Jan 15 2007 Location: Canada
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Posted: Jan 23 2007 at 10:17pm | IP Logged
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For First Holy Communion, I made one special heritage sewing dress, and slip to go underneath as the fabric used was a swiss batiste with french laces. I embroider each girl's name inside on the back of the slip with the date they wore it, so there is no question for our daughter this year, having her own First Holy Communion. However, to add a bit of color specific for each gal, I do have silk ribbons woven inside the french lace around the edge of each arm sleeve. I can simply pull out and replace with another color of their choice. So far, we've used a pale pink and a pale coral color. The veil I made also has tiny rose buds I pull off and change colors for to match the silk ribbon. It's very subtle though each gal looks so different in my heritage creation (I hope it goes all the way down the line someday to great, great, great grandchildren!)
If color is an issue, I agree with Alice by adding a little bit where necessary of her choice.
Good luck, it's such a wonderful time.
Blessings;
Renee
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rivendellmom Forum Pro
Joined: Feb 15 2005 Location: Illinois
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Posted: Jan 24 2007 at 6:27am | IP Logged
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Reading all these responses makes me really wish that I hadn't chosen roller skating over sewing lessons in 7th grade. Live and learn. We've been browsing dresses online and are planning on taking a afternoon to go to the mall and try some on in the next few weeks. Thanks again!
__________________ Jen in suburban Chicagoland Mom to Connor(91), Garrett(93), Reilly (95), Mary Katherine (98), Declan (05), Ronan in ^i^ 6/28/08
visit our new blog: http://recreationalscholar.blogspot.com/
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JodieLyn Forum Moderator
Joined: Sept 06 2006 Location: Oregon
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Posted: Jan 24 2007 at 12:00pm | IP Logged
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I just thought of one other possiblity. What about a white dress with a floral pattern or such over it? It's not real dressy but Land's End has a knit dress that is white with a pale floral.
__________________ Jodie, wife to Dave
G-18, B-17, G-15, G-14, B-13, B-11, G-9, B-7, B-5, B-4
All men who have turned out worth anything have had the chief hand in their own education.
-Sir Walter Scott
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rivendellmom Forum Pro
Joined: Feb 15 2005 Location: Illinois
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Posted: Feb 14 2007 at 8:10am | IP Logged
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Just in case there is anyone else looking for a comfortable First Communion Dress- this is what we came up with:
White Dress
We got a lovely crocheted sweater to go over it and will shop for gloves and a veil at our local Catholic bookstore. We are both thrilled that we'll be able to concentrate on the meaning of the Day- and not the itchiness of the dress!
__________________ Jen in suburban Chicagoland Mom to Connor(91), Garrett(93), Reilly (95), Mary Katherine (98), Declan (05), Ronan in ^i^ 6/28/08
visit our new blog: http://recreationalscholar.blogspot.com/
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