Rarity levitated the needle, hovering it over the skirt. The final gemstone rested there, in the middle of the unfinished pattern, patiently waiting for the final touch. She played with the needle a bit more, making it circle around her head. She licked her lips, delaying the moment. Not ready yet to make the final sewn...

"You know, it´s not easy to concentrate with all of you staring at me," she said.

Standing next to her, watching her every move, was her circle of friends.

"But Rarity, this is an special occasion! You´re about to finish your three hundredth dress! This is a moment that must be recorded in history," Twilight said, stepping out from the group. Behind her, Spike, Fluttershy and Rainbow waved their "Go Rarity!" flags.

"I appreciate the gesture, darling. But I still believe you´re making this a bigger deal that it is. Calling the Royal Band was a bit excessive of you," Rarity said.

"Nonsense! They are meant for unique occasions and this one of them. Now, get back to work and I´ll capture the moment for posterity," Twilight said, levitating a camera.

"Twi, why don´t you give Rares a little space?" Applejack asked, gently pushing Twilight a few steps back.

Rarity nodded, silently thanking her for her gesture and went back to work. She conceded that Twilight had a point, three hundred dresses was a remarkable accomplishment. Yet, she didn´t feel like it was anything that special.

She took a look at the store and realized there wasn´t anywhere near three hundred dress in there. It make sense since a huge number where commissions for clients but several old dresses she never put on sale and even some she made as gifts were also missing, probably resting in a box at her parents house.

She remembered the very first dress she made, a birthday gift for Sweetie Belle. To be accurate, her first dress was the one she made with a napkin and some marbles for her favourite doll; but the one she made for Sweetie was the first for a living pony. It was a lovely baby blue piece that matched her sister perfectly. Of course, it didn´t last long before Sweetie devoured it but it was one of Rarity´s special dresses.

"Hey, are we going to see some action or you´ll keep the Statue of Manehattan act all day?" Rainbow shouted.

"Oh my apologies, I got distracted," Rarity said and made two final touches at the dress. "Finished!"

"Perfect!" Twilight shouted. "Now Pinkie Pie, return to the library and bring all the party supplies. Rainbow, go get back the Royal Band, we need some music. Spike, send this picture to the Princess."

"You okay, honey?" Applejack asked to Rarity, who was trying to recover from the camera flash. She nodded as Fluttershy handled her a cup of water.

"Why are you standing there, girls? Let´s go the library, quickly!" Twilight said, flapping her wings like an excited filly.

"In that case, let me change. This morning I prepared an outfit that would suit just right," Rarity said, moving to the closet.

-Time Limit-

"This morning? As in this morning morning?" Twilight asked, frozen in mid-air.

"Well yes, I felt this sudden rush of inspiration early this morning so I made a little something. Funny, I´ve forgotten about it," Rarity explained.

"A rush? You felt a rush?"

"Yes, it happens. From time to time when I´m working."

"But you told me yesterday that today you´ll make your three hundred dress. But it´s not the three hundredth but three hundred and one. No, not even that. You probably made a ton of dresses in a rush before and you never told me about them so my numbers, my numbers..." Twilight didn´t finished the thought, she just fell over.

"Ah horseshoes. Spike, why don´t you take the Princess here to the library? Don´t worry Raes, she´ll get over soon. We´ll wait you at the library," Applejack said, leaving the store with Fluttershy and Spike carrying the unconscious Twilight.

Rarity pulled the dress out of the closet and examined it.

"Now I remember, I wanted to wear this for the photo. Oh well, what can one do?"

Rarity returned the unnumbered dress into the closet, grabbed a simple but cute pink hat and headed for the library.

She still believed Twilight overreacted but she wasn´t going to let the party be wasted.

(I must confess I´m not sure “hundredth” is correct but I figured Twilight will speak that way)