I’ve shown you lots of dresses in every size and style,
You’ve even seen my models, the ones who rarely smile,
Necklines, and hemlines, and bodices galore,
There’ve been pink prints and red prints and so many more,
You’ve seen red headed dolls in bows and fancy hats
But have you ever stopped to think, I wonder what’s in back?
That was just a silly little poem I dreamed up to introduce today’s post. I know you can’t always judge a book by it’s cover, but you certainly CAN judge a dress by how it looks in the back. I try very hard to make the backs of my dresses look nice…buttons straight, edges lined up, hems meeting, bows tied nicely, etc. I thought I’d show you some backs of my dresses…
[If you click on any picture it will enlarge.]
See you “back” here tomorrow,
Blessings, Jeanne
P.S. I’m glad so many of you liked yesterday’s post on restringing the American Girl doll’s legs. Thank you for your comments and emails. If you missed it, you can see that post HERE.
I am quite impressed with your finishing skills. Especially the second to the last. The 3 different colors on the buttons was fantastic. I always look forward to your blogs and pictures. They make my day and give me ideas on how to spice up my own sewing….Lynne
HI Lynne,
Thanks so much for your compliments on my “back” pictures… Using different colored buttons is an easy way to make the back just as pretty as the front…
Thanks Lynne,
Blessings, Jeanne
Your backs are truly more little masterpieces. I’m always inspired by your beautiful craftsmanship/needlework/choices. Well done.
Take care.
Thank you Becky,
You are very kind to say what you did about my work… I try hard to make things look nice and I’m glad it shows…
Blessings, Jeanne
Good morning, Jeanne.
It’s so funny, but as I was looking at your “backs” photos my brain was trying to figure out what the front looks like. Isn’t that silly? I didn’t realize it until I saw the front of Lian’s dress in the mirror, and I noticed what I was doing.
Yes, back are important. Have you noticed (I’m sure you have) that if you get the wrong camera angle it looks like things aren’t lining up correctly when, in fact, they are. That is always a pain.
By the way, your backs are super cute. Hope you have a nice Saturday.
HI Cindy,
I know exactly what you mean about not getting the right angle with your camera and it looks like things are off by 1/4″ or so. You have to get down level with the dress and take your pictures.
Thanks so much for your comments Cindy… I don’t take them lightly coming from a perfectionist like you. Your dresses front and back are always “spot on” I’m sure!!!
Blessings, Jeanne
Now you’re a poet and didn’t know it! I see what you do with the wired ribbon now in the 4th and 6th pictures and Lian’s bow. Beautifully finished in all details. Thanks for another great post. So creative! I just noticed the Rosemarie Ionker book has the doll looking in the mirror so the back shows. Cute way to present a dress.
I took a chance on an already cut pattern, McCalls 2061, for $1.99 on eBay. Turns out it was, indeed, complete and I like not having to cut out the little pieces myself. A really nice find and otherwise would have been too expensive. Has the narrow sleeves beneath puffy upper sleeve. Hope it fits over the hands.
HI Susette,
Yes, wired ribbon can be my best friend sometimes!
I bought that little dresser for that very reason…to show the front and the back at the same time. It always makes for a fun photo…
I have that pattern, Susette, but I don’t think I’ve ever used it. I’ll have to dig it out and maybe try it… You go first! :o)
Thanks so much, Have a wonderful Saturday,
Blessings, Jeanne
What a witty little poem to start the post. It really made me smile. Yes, the backs are important, especially with cute buttons or a big bow tied behind. A fair amount of the PC/AG clothes are rather plain from the back unless it’s Samantha’s and she gets a bow.
I really like your use of wired ribbon on Elizabeth’s dress and the multi colored buttons add a whimsical touch on the other dress.
Have a wonderful Saturday, the sun is shining brightly here, hope it is for you also.
Thank you Laura,
I’m sure most people only focus on the fronts of their doll dresses, but what if you wanted to use the dress for a centerpiece or have the doll sitting out on a table… the back should be just as nice to look at as the front.
I just noticed I left out one of my Regency dresses…I’ll have to add that one in my post in a minute…
The sun is shining here too… too bad I have to clean house… :o(
Thanks Laura,
Blessings, Jeanne
Wow, these little gems are quite amazing. Where to start? The purple and green print on is it Ellowyne? is beautiful as well as the purple hat and matching ribbon flowers. My poor Ellowyne is cringing. And number 9 with the layers of ruffles. How did you do that? I appreciated how you explained about the layers recently to someone, making the waist less bulky, but how do you do 6 layers of ruffles? And the little lady bug blouse and denim jumper adorable. The lines of rick rack meet exactly! Don’t know how you do it. This post was a brilliant idea. The finishing details in the back really make the outfit.
HI Joy,
No, the purple and green floral dress is on Nyssa, my 18″ Kaye Wiggs doll. The aqua dress with all the ruffles is on Nyssa too. It was my own pattern and it took a lot of time.. just one ruffle added to another and another until I got her skirt filled with them.
I’ll have to do a post on ruffles and how to make them less bulky at the waist… I wrote it down so I won’t forget…
Thank you Joy… I hope your Saturday is filled with lots of sun…
Blessings, Jeanne
Loved your poem!! So witty and appropriate to today’s post! By the way, I am thrilled about your post yesterday. I have a Madame Alexander and a Miss Revlon who need re-stringing.
The backs of the dresses are just as unique as the front of them are in some ways. I agree, it’s nice to have the entire outfit look good all around. Such cute dresses too. The different colored buttons on the dress Isabelle is wearing are perfect and playful looking. It was nice to see all of the Little Darling doll outfits again. I just love that Lian.
Have a great Saturday, Jeanne.
HI Paula,
My hubby and I like to write silly little poems like this…
I hope you can use yesterday’s post to fix your dolls legs.
Thank you for your kind words about the backs of my doll dresses. I know it’s not terribly fun to read about but I thought it was something I hadn’t shared and sort of just went for it.
Using the colored buttons on a dress is certainly a fun way to brighten up a dress. I’m glad you liked it. I love that Lian too…very very much!
Blessings, Jeanne
What a cute poem to add to those cute photos of the backs! I do think they could pass for fronts of the dresses too! You certainly do take the extra time to make the whole outfit perfect no matter what angle you see it from!
HI Linda,
I guess I just figure if you go to all the trouble to make the dress look pretty in the front, you might as well go ahead and make the back nice too! :o)
Thanks Linda,
I bet you are working outside today, aren’t you?
Blessings, Jeanne
Indeed you make the backs looks equally as good as the fronts! The matching of the waistbands and the hems just blow me away! Those are difficult enough on people clothing let alone tiny doll dresses. It was fun to see the backs on some of your creations…So glad you have kept all your pictures so you can make more interesting stories for your blog. I would just have to look at them every now and then and smile !
Awesome, creative workmanship!
Have a good weekend!
Thank you Kathie,
I so appreciate you taking time to comment on this post. Getting the backs right is just an extension of the front, so it has to be done… and it’s not that hard to do.
I don’t know what I’d do if I lost all my archived pictures…I’d be sunk as far as my blog goes.
Thanks again Kathie,
I hope your weekend is nice too…
Blessings, Jeanne
It is like planning a wedding gown. The back often is as important as the front. I just realized that many of my comments don’t show up because I am too impatient waiting for the Tablet to show the tiny circle icon has stopped so the message is lost.
HI Jan,
Well, this comment came through…and thank you so much for your kind comments. I guess to me they sort of are like little wedding dresses… the back is very important in a wedding gown. You are right about that.
I hope you can find the patience to wait on the little circle, as it’s nice to hear from you, Jan.
Have a nice Saturday,
Blessings, Jeanne
thank you for showing the backs of your beautiful works! Yours a true works of an accomplished master seamstress-complete from front to back, top to toe. it’s wonderful to admire beautiful work!