Anything that is worth doing is worth spending extra time on. This is the way I feel about my sewing. What is the point of doing something if it’s just “ordinary” or not done to the best of your ability. This dirndl for Kirsten was one of those dresses that took a lot of time. It required a lot of time if it was going to be special. I had a vision of it when the fabrics were all in this heap…
…and I didn’t want to let myself down by taking any shortcuts. What shortcuts, you ask? Well, I could have just left the hem plain instead of stitching it with a red scalloped stitch…
I could have just used some of my “not so nice” lace instead of using my “favorite” and dwindling stash of Swiss Batiste eyelet on the neckline. Plus it took me 4 tries to get the diamond pattern straight as I sewed it between the red side fronts.
I could have just put a cuff on the sleeve or encased elastic, instead of taking time to center and sew on the red and white bow and add the lace…
The vintage apron (courtesy of Kathie…thank you very much!) could have just been sewn in the waist line and a ribbon tied around the waist.
I could have sewn a ribbon on the top of the apron instead of making long enough ties to tie it into a pretty bow with points..
Kirsten’s hat could have been “flower-less” but it would have been sort of plain…
The piece of fabric used for the apron had raw edges and I took the time to fold under the edges and hand stitch them in place to keep it looking as delicate as possible.
…and yes, I could have used Velcro instead of snaps…but “don’t they look pretty?”
So were all these extra things worth it? Well, you’ll have to decide… but I think so.
You can find Kirsten’s dress on Ebay by clicking on the picture of it at the right side bar. If you are reading this through your email, (and it has the blue Title), you can click on the blue Title and it will bring you to my website. Then you can click on the side bar.
Thanks for letting me share with you every day. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do. Great feedback on “sewing on snaps!” I want to hear some reports of how your new snap sewing techniques are working for you…
See you tomorrow,
Blessings, Jeanne
The dress is adorable, and yes, the extra attention to detail does make a difference! It is the difference between “nice enough” and “high quality” that makes your dolly dresses so special. By the way, the red decorative stitching around the hem is another nice touch
Thanks so much Carolyn,
I’m glad Kirsten’s dress was appealing to you. Thanks for letting me know what you liked about it. Most machines have at least a few simple stitches on them and these can easily be used to make something a little more special.
Blessings to you on this Good Friday!
~ Jeanne
I LOVE it, Jeanne! It looks like you put tons of extra work into this dress and it shows. You expertly mixed so many different fabrics and trims which makes this dress set so, so special. Bravo!
BTW, your serger makes the neatest looking stitches, they are almost decorative. Great snap sewing, I have some to do today too.
Good morning Cindy,
It’s one of my favorite things to put lots of fabrics together for dirndl’s!…maybe a challenge to get it just right, but I do enjoy it.
Oh….the “dreaded sewing on of the snaps…” but you know a thing or two about that too, don’t you!
Have a wonderful Good Friday, Cindy,
Blessings, Jeanne
Just wonderful!
Thank you Jane,
I’m glad you liked it and took time to let me know.
Blessings to you on this Good Friday,
~ Jeanne
Don’t thank us for letting you share, Jeanne, we are the ones who thank you for all the time you spend on your blog and all that you teach us. Kirsten’s dress is exceptional…I especially like the fabric you used for the sleeves and the ribbon bows on them. I did make the trip to joann’s last week looking for the microcheck ribbon in pink as I was running short. Alas, the trip was for naught, they had none. Came home and sat at the computer for hours and didn’t find any. Perhaps Offray is not making the light pink anymore.
Thanks again, for all you share with us.
Hi Jevne,
I can’t seem to find the pink checked ribbon either… I have some in the darker pink but not the baby pink that is my favorite. I’ll keep my eyes open and let you know if I find any.
It is my pleasure to share my doll dresses with you each day and I’m glad you enjoy reading how I do things.
I hope you have a wonderful Good Friday today!
Blessings, Jeanne
Question. On your auction the banners down the sides of the photos (does that make sense?) are the same as the blue dress fabric. There just happened to be some banners like that or did you make your own? The colors really show off the dress, also the blue printing. And, of course, your write-up is also the best.
Congrats on the bids you already have!
Hi again Jevne,
You are talking about the “picture tile” that I put down each of my listings. I take a picture of the dominate fabric and use it with each auction so it ties everything together. It’s called “tiling,” and is sort of like a mosaic. I use them in my background but I’m not sure how it exactly works, but I just know how to do it.
Thanks for noticing…
Blessings, Jeanne
All the little details always make a difference. Well done Jeanne!
Thank you Chtistine,
I appreciate your kind words about Kirsten’s dress.
Happy Good Friday to you,
Blessings, Jeanne
Kirsten’s dress is exquisite!! All the extra little details truly make all the difference. My mom sewed my daughter’s Easter dresses for many years and I did the embellishing with ribbon embroidery on the collar. Then of course there were the hat and gloves to go with it. A new dress for church on Easter Sunday was something of a tradition. I wish those feminine styles would return because I love them and was born yet when they were in style.
Many Easter blessings to you.
Hi Laura,
Thank you so much for your kind compliments on Kirsten’s dress. At least “SOMEBODY” in this house has a new Easter Dress! I wish it were ME! Maybe there is still time to find one, but my sister is coming today and I have lots of things to help out with before we have our Easter service at church. I’m not sure a new dress is in the works…but maybe…
We always had a new dress, usually made, and a hat and gloves too… those were the days!
Thanks Laura,
Easter Blessings back to you,
~ Jeanne
Oh, how perfectly exquisite that beautiful outfit is, Jeanne! I absolutely LOVE all the special touches that make it one of a kind! Those darling sleeves, with the bows, the hat with the flowers, the sweet ruffled neckline, the apron, special stitching, etc., I could go on all day! You absolutely deserve every penny you get for that dress, plus some more!! Not that you are getting just penny’s, because I see it has already gotten quite a few bids, and no wonder!
We are in the midst of Holy Week services here and wish you and your family a very blessed Easter season!
HI Linda,
Tonight, it’s me that’s late to the party! I’ve had a really busy day myself and just now saw your comment. Thank you so much for all your sweet compliments on Kirsten’s dress. I truly appreciate them.
My little sister decided to come home this weekend and I was telling her how busy I was and she told me I was going to have to get up at 3a.m. to get more done, and I was telling her about you…how you get up so early. Right before I left my mom’s house, my sister told me, now don’t forget to get up earlier! It’s 11:30p.m. and I just put a color on my hair… I’ve been trying to find the time all week, and finally found it.
Tomorrow will be another busy day for us too, but I hope things slow down on Sunday for me to be calm…
Thanks again Linda,
Blessings, Jeanne
Of course that dress is outstanding because you do take the time and make the effort to only sell perfect items. Your reputation is awesome. Looks like it is going to be a very popular dress ( The antique eyelet looks just perfect as an apron too!)
Must go finish Easter decorating…having 36 for Easter tomorrow..my feet hurt just thinking about it! 🙂
Happy Easter!
“Sew” pretty!