Adding a Ruffle from Fabric Scraps
Upcycling Fabric Scraps
into My Niece’s Grad Dress
A Ruffle Made from Scraps
What started as a simple Saturday turned into a four-hour sewing marathon with my niece, Nikki. Her future Grade 7 grad dress needed something extra, and we decided on a ruffled hem with fabric scraps leftover from the housecoat I made Zac. Halfway through, we realized I hadn’t calculated enough fabric (rookie move), so we had to improvise with more scraps. But Nikki was patient, cheerful, and game to learn every step. She helped press the fabric, pinned the pieces, and even stitched the final seam on the machine herself.
The Aurora-Inspired Shoot
The dress gave her Aurora vibes. So naturally, we celebrated with a styled shoot. Her sister, Athena, had made a matching headband from the same scraps, and while Nikki wore it to complete the ensemble, I gave Athena a crash course in photography. This is what a slumber party looks like at my place. A reminder that creativity runs brighter when it’s shared.
Sewing, Photography, and Passing It On
I am so grateful I have nieces to share my hobbies with. Teaching them how to sew, style and take photos isn’t just about the clothes we make, it’s about spending time together, learning side by side and creating memories I hope they’ll carry into their own lives.
