The kindness and skill of a Sandgate dressmaker helped a local woman recovering from major surgery to attend her close friend’s wedding.
Penelope Fry suffered a severe elbow injury just months before Caitlin Trevarthen’s 28 March wedding, requiring reconstructive surgery.
“I had an accident that smashed my elbow,” Penelope said. “After I had reconstruction surgery where they put in a titanium plate, I couldn’t move my arm and it was strapped to my body for an extended period.”
Doctors warned Penelope she might never regain full function in the arm, leaving her uncertain about what she would be able to wear to the wedding. She turned to Sharon from Double Two Fashion Design on Second Avenue in Sandgate for help.
A Custom Solution for a Special Day
According to Penelope, Sharon measured and designed a custom dress that could be pulled on from underneath, allowing Penelope to dress comfortably despite her injury.
The dress featured fabric from a scarf designed by Brisbane artist Debra Hood, depicting the city skyline and charming houses. Additional fabrics were sourced with help from the bride at The Nest Community women’s charity in Brendale.
“As the day drew closer, I remained unable to lift my shoulder and move my arm beyond a small range,” Penelope said. “Thanks to the kindness of our local dressmaker, I could be confident that I could attend the wedding even if the function of my arm hadn’t improved any further by the day.”
Penelope said Sharon charged far less than the work deserved, describing the local dressmaker as “so wonderful”.
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