Miriam Perlov’s diary

I can't believe how quickly time passed. Between my first meeting with Amy and the fashion show, I was so busy that everything blurred together. Amy, of course, was incredible! She and her mother were so kind and helpful, always willing to come for an extra fitting, and as a result I was thrilled at how well the dress fit her. The fabric that I had gotten from our trip to Fabric Place matched the color of her hair, and she absolutely glowed in gold. She seemed pleased with the dress as well. It was hard to get it done by the deadline with all my schoolwork piling up, but I became very focused on it. It was just such a neat project to be working on -- a mission!

After it was all done, I felt like a big weight had been lifted from my shoulders, and after seeing the dress on stage at the Macy's fashion show I felt lighter than air. It was all just such an uplifting experience. It was wonderful to have the love and support of my family and friends at the show, as well as running into some unexpected old friends. I am looking forward to the voting, in the hopes that maybe I get another shopping spree, because that was so fun.

March 31
I met pretty, pretty Amy Koski and her mom, and they were both so sweet and cooperative. I always get a little nervous and shy when I have to let people into my work, but they made me feel comfortable, and I tried to do the same as I took Amy's measurements. She's so tall I feel like my dress will go on for miles on her – she has the most perfect figure for this dress.

Then shopping was a blast! I had never been on any sort of spree before, and with $500 in hand I went wild getting all the pretty fabrics I could think of, always with a picture of Amy in mind. I feel like the gold I chose will bring out her features so nicely. I really want the dress to fit her like a glove, and I've been pattern-drafting all weekend to that end.

Since the Project Prom article first appeared on March 4, I was genuinely surprised how many people read it. I mean, it's not like I wasn't told how high the Globe's readership is, but I guess there's a difference between hearing a number and starting to realize just how many people that really is. At my local fabric store the clerks laughed that they had not realized how famous I was, sweetly congratulating me. A man at a store where we ordered my fiance's suit for the wedding congratulated me when we came in a second time for the fitting (how he recognized me from a 1-inch photo I couldn't tell you). It's been so much fun so far. Here's to prom!

March 8
I had become so preoccupied with catching up on homework and wedding planning that it was not until a friend apologized for not seeing the Globe Magazine last Sunday evening that I remembered that I, too, did not get a chance to look at it. Once I remembered, however, I was overwhelmed with excitement. I've never been in the paper before, I've never been interviewed on film before, and most importantly I felt like this was the best reason in the world to be getting attention -- for something that I'm creating. Seeing people's comments, I was incredibly flattered, and I feel like I made the right choices about the design. I am really looking forward to the next phase, to meeting the girl that I'm paired with and to fabric shopping.