I had a very busy day squeezing in a trip to the Post Office to mail off Julie’s Pink Polka Dot dress, a trip to JoAnn Fabrics to pick up some fabric for my nieces wedding out in PA; (I’m making 2 little flower girl dresses), put in 2 hours at the Food Pantry, went to my church to measure for a fabric “skirt” that is going around the table for our new sound system, ran home to put away some groceries, went back to Hobby Lobby looking for burgundy fabric for the table skirt; zilch there, went back to JoAnn’s to look again; nope… nothing there, went to Wal Mart; found some. Stopped by the church to get it approved before I started making it, grabbed 4 huge cases of yogurt and 3 big bags of potatoes (brought to our church from the food pantry) to deliver to some friends house on my way home. I’ve collected the eggs from our hens and I’m finally inside.
I am pooped, (sorry…no chicken pun intended…) so for my post I’m just going to show you the fabric and the pattern I got for my nieces’s little flower girls. The fabric she picked is a decorator fabric called Cadence Peacock, by Home Essentials and is a pretty large print for little girls, but I think it will work…let’s hope so! I’m going to do a little “fussy cutting” on the bodice so they are similar in design. The dresses will be made a little longer…tea length and will probably have a little brown belt around the waist. If you google “large print little girls dresses” you’ll see lots of them online. Here is just one example I found…
Oh and this next fabric…the pink with butterflies… is another piece I found for Julie. It is really cute…sort of like a tie dye, batik print all in one! So all you Julie lovers out there, hold on!
I know this isn’t much, but I’ll try harder tomorrow. I don’t think I’m going to get anything made this evening, but maybe tomorrow…unless I run into troubles with the table skirt…
Oh, and don’t forget to subscribe to my blog for a chance to win a pair of American Girl Fingerless Gloves in my next Giveaway, January 28th!
See you tomorrow,
Blessings, Jeanne
My goodness, Jeanne! All that running around and you STILL had time to write on your blog? Well, you ARE a bit–just a bit– younger than I am, so that might explain it! I hope your skirt for the table went well and that is out of the way.
I too, was at Hobby Lobby yesterday, and had some time to kill, so went over to the fabrics section, and looked at pattern books. Not that I am looking to sew anything, but just to see what was available, and WOAH! Now don’t laugh, but just when did the price of patterns go up to $18.95? And then you have to buy material, and still have to sew the dress too? Huh? When I was doing active sewing many moons ago, the patterns cost around $1.25, and maybe a really fancy one would cost $3.00 or so. Just when did this happen? I’m sure you must think I have been living under a rock or something, but I just have not looked at patterns for QUITE awhile!
Oh, those dresses for the flower girls will be darling! I love the big blooms on them, and then the dresses don’t need to have a lot of fussy touches to make them stand out. Simplicity is the key to those prints. The little girls will be so cute in them! I will be anxiously looking for your pictures when you get them done, as will everyone else!
Hi Linda,
I never and I mean NEVER buy patterns anymore unless they are on sale! I wait for the $1.99 or even the 5 for $5 and get them then. Sometimes I see a pattern on Ebay that is one I missed getting but it’s now out of print. The seller will have it at some unbelievable price of $35 or higher…I usually pass.
I am anxious to get started on the girls dresses too! I think your’e right…simple dresses that let the fabric do the talking!
Blessings, Jeanne
This is for Linda Doyle:
I was shocked too when I first looked at patterns after learning that my five-year-old granddaughter was receiving an American Girl doll for Christmas and figured I wouldn’t be sewing at those prices for patterns. Then I thought of the Internet and found patterns, both current and vintage, for reasonable prices to either buy or bid on. After not having sewn for over 40 years, I made a sari and Christmas outfit for the doll and shirts for my son and grandsons and am having fun with more doll clothes, thanks to Jeanne’s inspiration.
I also was told by a fellow customer at Joann Fabrics that they have $1.00 sales on patterns occasionally. So don’t be discouraged. It’s great fun !!!
Hi Susette,
Yes, those sales are worth waiting for and then picking up all the patterns you’ve been wanting.
Thanks, Jeanne
I too was shocked at the prices of patterns a few years ago when I started sewing for a vintage Chatty Cathy doll. I did find them on sale for $1.00 – $2.00. The little girl’s dress pattern is so cute and I love the big print fabric. The new pink butterfly fabric for Julie is so pretty! Can’t wait to see what you make her. The fingerless gloves in yesterday’s post are so pretty, I love the pink and lavender ones!
Thank you Regina,
You are just full of compliments today! I appreciate them and I’ve been looking through my new 1974 pattern book to see what Julie might like next!
Blessings, Jeanne
Wow, Jeanne! You are VERY busy! I would need a nap after all that running around.
That blue floral print for the flower girl dresses is really pretty. Can’t wait to see the finished dresses. They will be beautiful.
Hope you are getting lots of sewing done today.
Thanks Cindy,
The more I hear everyone likes the fabric, the more confidence I have in making them and that they will look sweet!
So far, no sewing yet, but I’m about to head that direction!
Blessings, Jeanne
Jeanne, you are a whiz of energy !!! Makes me remember my younger years when I was just go-go-go all the time!! With all you have to do on your “to-do” list you still include time to help others at the church and food shelf. You are a kind person.
I love the fabric your niece has chosen for her flower girls. So fun for them.
Love that fabric for the AG girls. Butterflies are so special as they flitter about.
Thanks Jeannie,
I’m “glad” you liked the butterfly fabric! Today is a “stay at home day” and I hope to get lots done!
Blessings, Jeanne
The fabric for the nieces dresses is lovely. One of my favorite color combinations. I look forward to seeing the photos of the dresses when they are finished.
Thanks Jan,
I love anything with that aqua blueish color in it… I think they’ll be sweet!
Thanks so much,
Jeanne
Hi Jeanne,
I’m always the late one to see your blog…. LOVE that fabric for the Flower girls. Don’t you like working with the heavier fabric…especially when it’s not all ruffles and such? Love the body it adds to the dress… Making petticoats too? The flowers do seem large but look adorable in that picture you found. Have a great sewing day!
Hi Kathie,
I’m not sure how I feel about the fabric… it is big and one of the girls is a little 2 year old and very petite. It will definitely be a challenge… I did see some turquoise netting yesterday with a ruffled edge on it and stopped to hold it underneath the fabric…It was cute!
I’ve been making slips today…
Blessings, Jeanne
I’ve used the New Look patterns a couple of times to make dresses for the granddaughters and I really liked the way they turned out. The large print fabric will look lovely in that pattern, and your sewing is always so nice. I hope you will post pics of the dresses when you get them done. It sounds like you had a busy day today, but maybe you’ll be able to stay home and sew tomorrow.
HI Carolyn,
I like the New Look patterns too and have used them for years with great success.
I will post pictures of the dresses as they come along…
I was busy making slips today and hopefully tomorrow will start something for a doll…in the way of a dress!
Blessings, Jeanne
Wow! Lovely dresses… This is what I was looking for my baby girl for her birthday present. I am dying to see her jumping with shining smile wearing this stunning dress. I will be surely buying few pairs from this collection to surprise my princess.
Thanks Sally,
I hope if you buy some, your daughter loves them.
Blessings, Jeanne