YAY and YAY again! I got Lian’s dress and jacket set done and listed on Ebay. (You can go straight to the auction by clicking the picture of it at the right side bar.) It was a huge accomplishment and I was so happy to be sewing again. You know how my day went yesterday (here)… well, today was better but still had its challenges. The hem had to be redone 3 times… the fabric was just so floppy; it dipped and curved and frayed like nothing I’ve ever worked with before. I basted it, ironed it and pinned it and F-I-N-A-L-L-Y got it right. It’s not exactly perfectly even on the inside, but I was so happy to have it even close that I quit messing with it.
Then I couldn’t decide how to decorate the jacket. I had every button out that I thought might work… I had pieces of lace and tiny charms and appliques. I finally decided to do a sort of military double breasted look with the buttons and a kind of feminine steampunk lacy thing for a pin. I hope everyone likes it.
I didn’t want a bow tied in the back, so a ribbon was out for the waist on the dress. I only had “white” silk ribbon so that was out. Then I found this pretty decorative trim in my stash and it was perfect!
So… all in all, this dress set was pretty time consuming compared to the majority of my projects, but I did end up with a new pattern, and I’ve decided NOT to use this fabric for any more circle skirts! Here are a few pictures if you haven’t seen it yet on Ebay.
I also received some packages in the mail! I LOVE packages…. don’t you? The first came from my sister. She knows I’m always on the lookout for tiny goodies for my dolls and she finds me things fairly often! I got some really incredible vintage buttons and some appliques and trims.
The appliques are on the small side and perfect for my littler “girls.”
The buttons were in 3 different bags, Mother of Pearl, some black glass ones and some tiny little 1/4″ metal filigree ones that are the most interesting things I’ve ever seen. Underneath the filigree are all different colors that sparkle through. I’m hoping my pictures can capture just how unique they are.
There are 4 dark navy blue ones that are really neat too…
I also received another box from a doll customer… a belated birthday present. It was a pecan log from See’s Fine Candies. If you have ever had this, you’ll recognize this picture…
Oh dear… I was very bad… but I’m sure it helped me with my sewing dilemma’s. I ate the whole thing ALL by myself!!
I hope to see you tomorrow… right after I get off the treadmill… :o)
Blessings, Jeanne
Jeanne,
I LOVE Lian’s outfit! I want one for myself now! LOL And that package, oh my, what fun that must have been to open!
That pecan log—-well, nuts are good for you, what more needs to be said?!
HI Linda,
Thanks for the compliment on Lian’s dress set. I’m so glad I can move on to something different now.
Yes, the box was fun to open… she also sent me all kinds of decorator trims for pillows. I think I feel the need to make some new pillows for myself.
The pecan log? Well, lets try to forget it… I am…
Blessings to you, Linda,
~ Jeanne
Lian looks adorable! Her outfit turned out very cute! Well worth the effort, I’d say. What a sweet sister you have, those buttons look vintage. All I can say about the pecan log is, better you than me…
HI Cindy,
Thanks for the compliments on Lian’s outfit. I’m ready to move on to something that doesn’t squiggle, or jiggle or ravel so much!
The buttons are definitely vintage and those little filigree ones are the neatest things I’ve ever seen.
The pecan log? EEP… better add another 10 minutes on the treadmill.
Blessings, Jeanne
I don’t know if this would help, or if you tried it, but did you try any kind of stabilizer on the hem, Jeanne? Maybe lay the skirt flat on the stabilizer, straight stitch 1/4″ (or however much ) away from the raw edge, then tear off the stabilizer and turn up the hem. I think at that point, I’d also glue baste the hem in place before doing the final stitching, probably also with stabilizer. (Glue basting has gotten me out of a lot of trouble in the past! LOL)
Also, Steam-a-Seam 2 might be a thought, although it might be too wide for this scale dress.
That said, it turned out really lovely, despite the difficulties, and the trim Is perfect! I have some of that, too, but I think mine has a little pink in it!
As for your buttons–oh, lucky lucky you!! They all look to be vintage. Yes, I could see the colors peeking thru the metal filigree!! And the others are so lovely. Of course, I am Drooling over the Mother of Pearl ones!!
Lucky you on the candy, too. I especially love See’s peppermint puffs, inividually wrapped so I can tuck a few into my purse. We Swede love our peppermint candy! 😉