We have a lot of fun at Ginger Root, and I feel lucky that there’s such variety in our work.  True, I spend a large portion of my day on bridesmaids dresses, or fixing broken invisible zippers, but there’s always a few totally creative redesign projects in the mix to keep us inspired.  Angela’s dress was one of these 🙂

Angela had received this traditional African dress from her mother-in-law, and she frequently wore it during her pregnancy.  She came to us a year after the birth of her son, having lost all the pregnancy weight, and wanting a dress to show off all her hard work!

Right away, we knew that the shapeless cut had to change; perfect for a baby belly, but now Angela was getting lost in all that fabric. I cut it apart, and patterned a fitted skirt from her measurements. Next I took the beautiful embroidered neckline, and refashioned it to create the strapless top, using additional material from the sleeves to complete the bodice.

The embroidery backing was very thick, providing enough structure for the top to stay up, sans boning. Then I added an exposed metal zipper, and, a few additional fittings later . . . Angela’s maternity dress became a gorgeous strapless gown!

Reworking garments that have a sentimental story is truly our favorite thing to do, and Angela’s idea of taking her maternity dress with her into her post-baby life was just too amazing to keep to ourselves 🙂

Do you have a garment that deserves to be reincarnated?  Give us a call to schedule an appointment at (202)567-7668 or email us at info@gingerrootdesign.com and we can help brainstorm!
*Tailoring by appointment only, closed Wednesdays and Sundays.”