After several comments of encouragement I was able to regroup my thoughts and with a few modifications to the bodice I was able to complete the dress. A few sleepless nights, all night sewing sessions paired with a wing and a prayer I am done. 
There are a few things I would have changed or perhaps added, the belt is a little long and I ended up using a slide buckle, I should have added a couple of string type belt loops to the sides to keep the belt in place and I really needed to add a loop for the excessive belt to slide through. I clearly could have given more thought to the covered buttons and made them all look alike. But it is not the worse garment I have ever made and Stef loved it! In the end that is all that matters.
We had a great time with our photo shoot. We rushed to our local flea market late this evening and got a few great shots. Stef even managed to have fun though she really didn’t want to go. She thought people would think it was weird that we were taking pictures, even though we tried to be discreet. One of the employees thought we were acting a little ‘suspicious’ but luckily Ash knew him and explained, and he was shocked that I had made the dress.
A special thanks goes out to Siri Andersen, from The Pinhouse Playmate, Laurie from Sew Exhausted, Elena from Elena Knits, and Catja from Gjeometry for all of your words of encouragement and helpful advice. Without these ladies I may have thrown in the towel and given up!
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I’m so happy that you finally made it! Think that at least the dress is done, finished and you’re free from the burden you were carrying. It’s a lovely dress and I’m sure Stef is happy with it. Bravo!
Wow, that looks great! Good job getting through those adjustments – I probably would’ve given up!
Karin, I would have probably done just that had it not been for the wonderful comments I received. I have learned in my short time of blogging what a wonderful online sewing community we have and how much words of encouragement can change one’s outlook on a sewing project.
It came out beautifully!! It is such a gorgeous colour/pattern fabric combination. And, you look so adorable in it and styled in your pics! I’m so happy for you that it worked out finally and hope that you get lots of wear out of it.
Look at you! It turned out beautifully! I was so excited to see you had persevered and completed the dress, and it was oh so worth it! Great pics! Great fabric and color choice. I LOVE it! Well done! ~Laurie
That’s such a great dress! I love the floral fabric and cute collar 🙂
Now, that is a dress I would not AT ALL mind owning – or at least being able to say, “I made that!” I haven’t attempted making clothes yet, but Lord willing, that will happen. Any day now. 😆
Wow! I am quite stunned actually! I knew you could do it, but wow! 😀 It really turned out great, Stef looks so cute in it!! Well done you 😉 😉 😉
Look at how cute that outfit is! I’m glad you finished. Done is Beautiful : )
So frisky fab!!!
Congratulations! The dress looks great! The fabric is lovely too!
I am kicking myself for not being on WordPress lately, because I missed this amazing dress!! It looks wonderful and you should be so proud of your work, especially since you went through a lot of h*ll to get to this amazing result. And your daughter loves it, and you’re right, that’s what’s important (even though you see things you’d like to have done differently)! The fabrication is just lovely, too.
This is so darn cute!!!