Okay, yesterday was the big day for the sale to start at JoAnn Fabrics…I want to know WHO went…besides me? You knew I’d go didn’t you? Actually I didn’t make it to my store until about 2:30 in the afternoon and I was very surprised at how “slow” it was. Even the girl at the cutting table said she’d been waiting all day for it to hit, but so far it hadn’t been bad.
Since it was a first for JoAnn’s having most of their fabrics at 40% off, that’s all I was interested in looking at. I can’t really tell you my system for looking at fabrics or buying the ones I do. I just go slowly down the rows and see what grabs me. Occasionally I’ll have some time period in mind, like a new fabric for a Civil War dress or a Regency gown, but most of the time it’s just what speaks to me. I do lots of feeling the fabrics and someone who sees me might think I’m nuts, but I don’t like “thick” cottons…or maybe I should say “stiff” cottons. I like fabrics that feel soft and almost slick to the touch…not slippery slick, but smooth slick. I like fabrics that gather up nicely and aren’t so bulky that they make folds instead of gathers.
I did find a few pieces so I guess I’ll share the ones I found with you now.
If you click on any picture, it will enlarge somewhat.
I just looked very quickly in my buttons and found these 2 that will work well with the fabrics underneath them.
Here are a few close-ups of the fabrics…along with my lone fat quarter.
Okay so this would be interesting…did anyone buy any of the same fabrics as I did?
Now onto the slips for the little flower girls in my nieces wedding…
This is what the dresses looked like a few days ago after I had finished them. They are being sent to Pennsylvania, so I wanted to wait and finish the slips and send them all together.
The slips were an afterthought and you can read about that in this post HERE.
I found this fun polka dotted tulle in a bright aqua color and thought it would be perfect for dresses with “twirly” skirts. I made the slips using 3 layers, 2 of the polka dots and one of the ivory tulle. By using a rotary cutter and pins and a ruler holding it in place, I was able to cut a really straight edge at the hem.
I ran my gathering stitches across the top in 2 rows and pulled them up. I used the ivory tulle at the top and gathered it onto a stretch lace waistband.
When I was done, I had some light aqua polka dotted sheer ribbon so I stitched that on the top of all my rows of gathering stitches.
I stitched it up the back and I was done.
This little dress is so tiny and the skirt on the dress isn’t nearly as long and full as the larger one, but it still holds it out some and when Nora’s little legs get under the dress they will hold it out even more. They were mostly about having something other than little “undies” showing when the girls twirled.
I have Hannah’s slip worked on but not totally finished. I’m hoping to get it done tomorrow. It will be a replica of Nora’s only longer.
So that concludes my post on Sales and Slips… hope you enjoyed it.
Oh, I almost forgot… this is what I saved at JoAnn’s… how much did you save?
I’ll see you tomorrow,
Blessings, Jeanne
We plan on going over to Joann’s on Thursday after our Weight Watchers meeting. 🙂 I think the fabrics you chose are very pretty and the brooches are beautiful. Those slips are lovely and I’m sure the girls will do lots of twirling. Have a wonderful day.
HI Christine,
Hello to another fellow Weight Watcher!!
I hope you have a successful hunt for the perfect fabrics at your JoAnn’s store. I “could” have bought more, but really wanted to keep it to a small purchase. Who knows, I might have to go back later on in the week… :o)
Thanks for your nice comments.
Blessings, Jeanne
Your fabrics are very pretty and you must have restrained yourself because you didn’t get too many…ha ha! I plan to go this week. I don’t like to battle crowds on the weekends.
Really pretty slip too. Thanks so much for sharing!
God Bless
Marsha
HI Marsha,
YES, I totally had to restrain myself from buying LOTS more fabrics. I’m afraid I could become a fabricholic very easily. My store wasn’t crowded in the least. I must have picked the perfect time to go.
Thanks for your kind words,
Blessings, Jeanne
HI, Jeanne Marie & ALL! ~
Your fabrics & slips are FABULOUS, Jeanne Marie! Actually, I spent several hours at my local JoAnn’s during the early evening hours this past Saturday night, as I had a “50% off at JoAnn’s” coupon from a local grocery chain expiring that day and burning a hole in my pocket. I have never had a pair of fabric pinking shears, so I used it for that. While there, I also purchased several solid & “tiny print” seersucker fabrics (all at 40% off!) to use as “practice fabrics” for a hand-sewn outfit or two for my 11″ tall BJD, “Beju Leeann”. (I saved about $13!)
It has been MANY YEARS since I have hand-sewed anything (except “mending”!), so I would appreciate any tips anyone out there has. (I do not machine-sew.)
Happy dolling! ~
Cheryl in NJ
Hi Cheryl,
I know a thing or two about those 50% off coupons…they MUST be redeemed, right?
Very good on the purchase of the pinking shears. They are a good item to have in your sewing stash.
I think seersucker prints are wonderful to sew with. You’ll have fun with them.
Just take small stitches maybe even doing a back stitch where you sew forward a stitch and then go back and fill in the space between with another stitch. It will make it almost like a solid seam even though you don’t have a machine.
Have fun with your new treasures.
Blessings, Jeanne
Hi Jeanne, You did well on your beautiful choices of material. And those 2 pins…gorgeous!!
Can’t wait to see what you have in mind to sew for all the lovely dollies.
I absolutely love the polka dot slips for your nieces. Polka dots are fun to begin with. The two girls are going to be so thrilled with their outfits.
Wish I could wear slips like that!
Have a great Monday! Blessings!
Hi Paula,
I’m glad you like my fabrics… I do too. I think an AG doll must come next…
I was happy with the slip and hope the girls love them… yea, wouldn’t that be a fun little slip to wear?
Thanks so much Paula,
Blessings, Jeanne
Ahhhh, so you did go after all !!! Hhmmm. I love the fabrics you chose especially the small floral print. I also have a bit of that print. It will be fun for us to see what you make for which doll. I think I see something in the Civil War era for Addy.
I will admit that I stayed home and enjoyed a beautiful day of sunshine and gentle breezes. We are on track for rain each day of the coming week. A very good thing to put an end to our three year drought.
HI Jeannie,
Yes, I gave in and went to the sale… I had too… you all were counting on me to go! Besides…it gave me something to write about and some pretty pictures to show as well.
I haven’t decided who’s getting what print, but I do see AG dresses out of a few of them.
I hope you get your rain… I know you all need it.
Your yesterday sounded wonderful!
Blessings, Jeanne