My daughter is graduating homeschool! Where did the years go?
Teaching her from kindergarten through twelfth grade, I wanted to create a special graduation ceremony for her, but she has no interest in a cap and gown event.
Struggling for years with learning delays, homeschool co-ops came with a mass of more homework, so we ventured otherwise.
With our flexible homeschool schedule, we had freedom to make numerous visits to Colonial Williamsburg, while engaging with interpreters and guests in historical clothing, and visiting other historic sites in Virginia, Pennsylvania, New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Washington DC, and West Virginia.
LAFAYETTE PLANS FOR GRADUATION DINNER
As I looked for something unique to celebrate her hard work in a special way, I stumbled upon a lovely restaurant called Lafayette in Washington DC.
When I shared the pictures of the lovely ambiance and fancy menu, she was thrilled! Stay tuned!
GRADUATION DRESS
To further commemorate the occasion, I wanted to get her a special dress, but there wasn’t a single dress that appealed to her in the stores.
What happened to fashion?
However, we found a gorgeous fabric she adored at Hancock Fabric in her favorite color, a lavender linen with embroidery and sparkles!
PATTERN
With her eyes shining, we found a pattern she liked with a hint of vintage flair, Simplicity 2886, which I knew should begin with a muslin.
MUSLIN
Since my time is at a premium, and I’m not yet patient enough to make a true toile, I found a fabric in my stash with a tiny rosebud pattern in a lovely 100% cotton with soft draping, which she loved.
If I was careful, she might get TWO dresses!
Although there are several cute variations with the pattern, the practice dress needed speed in order to complete the lavender dress in time, so I kept things simple.
SEWING PROCESS
All I needed to alter was one major thing.
Instead of putting the zipper on the side (which confused me), I placed it in the back seam and hand-picked it.
LAST MINUTE CALL FOR GRADUATION PHOTO
Saturday morning, I prepared to marathon sew the purple linen dress for the Awana Club Award and Senior Honor Ceremony.
Amid that concentrated focus to carefully sew the lovely fabric, I received an e-mail from her Awana Club asking for senior photos, due in 24 hours (Sunday) for the Monday night ceremony (+48 hours).
We only had family photos and Colonial Williamsburg costume photos. Hmmmm….
IDEAL DREAMY PHOTO SHOOT?
While planning her special graduation, I asked my daughter where she’d like to do a special photo shoot.
Not sure, that was put on the back burner, but now it became of the immediate essence.
Sadly, most of the spring flowers were gone. Where were the June flowers?
Trying to think of great venues, Colonial Williamsburg was too far away because I needed to lesson plan history for the week and finish the lavender dress.
The clock was ticking!
INSPIRED BY COLLEGE
While sewing the lavender graduation dress needed in two days for the Awana Ceremony, I pondered the best venue.
Memories of frequent drives to the junior college she’ll attend in the autumn came to mind.
Much of our time has been spent of late driving back and forth to the college for admissions nightmares and processes.
More happily has been the scenery surrounding the property, the tall trees of Virginia that are part of a Civil War Battlefield.
To avoid traffic headaches by the main route, I prefer the backroads that take me past the Stone House of Manassas Battlefield, down the hill from where one of the Carter descendants sadly died in her home from stray bullets that flew during the First Battle of Manassas.
Near her house is the statue of Stonewall Jackson upon his horse, the site where he earned his famed nickname.
Suggesting to my daughter the Stone House, since her next phase of schooling is on the perimeter of the battlefield, and her rosebud dress on cream background would coordinate nicely.
Acknowledging that we aren’t Civil War buffs, and had only visited once for a reenactment, it was the setting for the college she’ll soon attend.
Then we can do more formal photos with her in her fancier lavender dress anywhere else she chose…after the time crunch.
She was in!
MANASSAS BATTLEFIELD ANTIQUEY GRADUATION PHOTO SHOOT
After church Sunday, we drove to Manassas Battlefield for the impromptu photo shoot.
The photos turned out far better than I imagined, and she is super happy with them.
Harmonizing nicely, the coloring of the old house perfectly showcased the tiny rose buds on cream coloring of her dress, creating an antiqued charm which we like.
