Today is the first official day of school around here! All the moms and dads are usually happy and many of the kids are too, but school puts an end to the free time that so many kids enjoy. All the vacations have to come to an end and the free time is replaced with time for homework. I got a little nostalgic thinking back to when we home schooled our kids… it was the hardest thing I ever did but also one of the most rewarding… I was looking at all the folders in Wal Mart the other day and thought about how much time Rebecca would spend looking for that perfect folder… whether it had kitties or a dog or the latest Disney princess, she searched until she found just the right one…
I remember those first days of school for me and it always meant finding that perfect outfit to wear on the first crucial day… that day when you saw all your friends and got to meet your new teacher. Probably when I turned about 12 or 13 years old, I began making most of my clothes…and by the time I got in high school…sewing was about all I did! Seriously!!!
I got to thinking about some of my favorite Back to School outfits for my dolls and one in particular stood out in my mind…I had to go all the way back to 2010 and my model was Isabelle. She was the perfect school girl and I thought I’d share her outfit with you… It was pretty fun to make and pretty fun to take pictures of her in it!
I thought a fun cherry print blouse would be perfect matched with a pleated denim skirt and a sweet tam.
[If you click on any picture, it will enlarge.]
I made her some sweet red and white striped socks too…
Everyone has to have a book bag… I think Isabelle’s was perfect with her outfit…
“Okay, mom, I’m ready for my first day of school!”
See you tomorrow,
Blessings, Jeanne
Oh my, what an adorable back -to-school set! I always had a “thing” for pleated skirts, and this is no exception! I remember when I didn’t have to wear the straps anymore, I felt very grown-up! I love the cute little tam, and that darling purse—you certainly know how to put things together, Jean!
Yes, I too, remember the all the excitement of getting new clothes and school supplies! It’s a big thing in the life of a child, and who can forget those days! Your schools start very early–we have a few more days , 3 more to be exact!!!
Thanks so much Linda,
Yes, I think Isabelle represents all the little girls who love going to school! I always had a thing for pleated skirts too. One time I went to “State” in 4-H when I made a pleated skirt and a vest… I still remember it.
School supplies was a big deal for us too… searching for all the things on your list that you’d need that year and then coming home and taking them out of the packages…and arranging them in your new pencil box or “cigar box…” Anyone remember those?
Thanks Linda,
Blessings, Jeanne
That’s a beautiful outfit for the first day of school. I simply cannot figure out how you sew the collar to make it come out so flat. The underside does not appear to be made of the same material but the trimmed seam does not seem to show at all when pressed. Surely there is a secret to this. Perhaps you could do a lesson on how to make a collar come out this flat.
And the pleats! How do you press something that small to make the pleats lie flat? I continue to look forward to your posts each morning and enjoy your Magic!
HI Susette,
The secret to a flat collar is simply having a good steam iron and pressing hard! The under side of most of my collars is the lightest weight fabric I can find in the color that matches it the closest. On these teeny tiny collars I don’t use interfacing… it makes them too bulky.
I have a Perfect Pleater board from Clotilde that I use for my pleats. You just tuck the fabric in and then make sure they are all straight and then press hard again to make them set. It’s pretty easy, but it does take some practice to get them even.
Thanks Susette,
I’m glad you enjoy what I share each day…
Blessings, Jeanne
Good morning, Jeanne. So, summer time is officially over by you. The kids haven’t gone back here yet; they have another week or so to enjoy summer vacation.
Isabelle is indeed all ready for her first day of school. This is such a sweet outfit. I love the way you mixed denim, corduroy, cotton print, plaid, and striped knit. She will be the Little Darling of the classroom today, definitely.
I saw your response to my comment from yesterday. Thanks so much for your kind words about my recent ensembles and downsizing needs. I just hope that someone (or somedoll) that is supposed to stay doesn’t get up and decide to leave too. I had better keep an eye on them. LOL.
Good morning Cindy,
Thanks for your sweet comments on my girls dressed in their first Back to School dress. Isabelle won, but I forgot to let everyone know… guess I’ll mention it tomorrow…
Have you decided what to do with all your dolls? Are you going to sell more of them? Since you already have a website, why don’t you sell them like Karen (Mally McCoy) does on her website? She always seems to have a few dolls for sale. Of course you may get more “views” on Ebay as some people don’t know about your website…
I sold my Nellie doll a while back and what am I searching on Ebay for?…another Nellie… sometimes we do things we regret… I hope you don’t!
Blessings, Jeanne
I am in love with fruit prints though it is hard to find with the correct proportions for Little Darlings. I have been able to snag a few off of eBay or from a dear friend who still had some vintage stock. I love the “cherries” theme in the blouse & skirt. The book bag is perfect as I remember one of my girls had such a plaid bag back in Kindergarten {1977}. The first day of school is always so exciting ! They walk so proudly in their new clothes & shoes. Soon though all the fuss turns to a different fuss with homework, getting up early in the morning and “no fun” with no TV in the evening as spelling words must be memorized. No fun for Mom and Dad either. But then their is Halloween to look forward to followed by the excitement of Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Yes, there is ALWAYS something to be thankful for !!
Hi Jeannie,
I like little tiny fruit prints too… also little ladybug prints. They are hard to find in tiny sizes but it’s always fun to search for them…
I can’t remember if I ever had a plaid book bag… they used to be very popular so maybe I did.
I’m glad I’m past that part in my life personally… it’s fun while it’s happening, but okay when it’s over too!
Thanks Jeannie,
Blessings, Jeanne
Such an adorable outfit. Cherry prints are always so cute. I love the cherries on her skirt. Your details are perfect. What a cheery cherry outfit.
I remember getting new things for school myself. That first day was so much fun…getting organized. And when I had my own children, they loved getting prepared for school too. Little did they know how much my heart ached to see them go, as well as mom shedding a few tears behind the front door! In first grade, my son asked me if college had recesses. Out of the mouth of babes.
Have a great day!
Thanks Paula,
I should have used “Cheery Cherries” as my title when I listed it back in 2010 instead of just “School Days.”
There’s probably a few moms shedding some tears today…they do grow up so fast…
Thanks Paula,
Blessings, Jeanne
She is adorable. The kids here don’t start school until the day after Labor Day. Just wondering, where do you get shoes for the LD? I am just waiting for my first one to be shipped, and I ordered a few pairs from Dianna’s wesbsite, but I want colored ones, and not sure which ones fit her.
HI Christine,
Thanks for the compliments on Isabelle in her school outfit…
As far as their shoes go, just go to Ebay and type in :
Effner Little Darling shoes OR Effner 13″ shoes
There is a seller… Debsadorables and she probably has the most to pick from… anything from sandals to boots… you might give her a try. She is a great seller and does a very good job getting them to you quickly.
Thanks Christine,
Blessings, Jeanne
Thanks for the info. 🙂
In S. CA, school always started the day after Labor Day and often in a heat wave. A picnic one day and school the next. Often, the new outfit was too warm. No buses in those days. We walked.
HI Jan,
I remember when it used to be the start of September too… they just keep moving it up sooner and sooner here.
We rode the bus and were the first ones on in the morning and the last ones off in the afternoon… *sigh*
Thanks Jan,
Blessings, Jeanne
So sweet, Jeanne. Are the cherries on the skirt felt? embroidered?
HI Jevne,
The cherries on the skirt are embroidered… it was just a piece of a denim I found that had a small enough design to use.
Thanks Jevne,
Blessings, Jeanne
What an adorable back to school outfit! I love the different fabrics you used. School has started here in GA too. My daughter is a teacher in TN, and the teachers like that school starts early so they will have more breaks during the school year.
HI Regina,
Thanks for your kind words about the School Dress… I love plaids and this one was very pretty, I thought.
I think most kids are ready to go back to school, so it works out well when they can get out earlier too.
Blessings, Jeanne
Had no idea that Isabelle could wear tails! So cute. Love the dropped waist pleated skirt. Perfect for those first warm days of school.
HI Joy,
Yes, I was determined to give Isabelle some pigtails with this outfit! I think she HAD to have them! Her hair kind of falls down in the back, but I didn’t care… neither did she!
Blessings, Jeanne
Happy Tuesday!
The Grandkids will be going back this week too. Summers are so short now…no time to get bored. It just flies by! The Cherries on the denim are just so classic. Super cute!
Hi Kathie,
Yes, summers do seem shorter now.. I know some places are pushing for school year round… I say give the kids a break… we all need some vacation time…
Thanks so much,
Blessings, Jeanne