I’m not always right, but this time I’m pretty sure I was. When you last saw Rebecca’s 1900’s dress, I had taken out the sleeve because I knew it needed a fuller, more gathered sleeve instead of the puny little thing I had in there… This is what the sleeves looked like before I started tweaking them…
The sleeves were all finished and I thought I was ready to move on, but the sleeves bugged me… A LOT! So I removed the one sleeve and left you wondering what I would replace it with…
Well, I’m happy to report I had enough fabric to get fuller sleeves cut out and in Rebecca’s dress…Here’s a picture of one old sleeve and one new sleeve so you can see just how much of a difference it made…see I told you I was right this time…
It took me most of the day to remove the other sleeve and add the new ones… what a difference it makes…
The sleeves can be worn all the way down…
…or worn just past the elbows…
…or pushed all the way up for a summery look…
I added some tiny little cream buttons to the front of the bodice and tied a piece of lace around where the skirt will be added to help you visualize how it will look when it’s done…
So who thinks it’s much better now?
See you tomorrow,
Blessings, Jeanne
Me! Oh, that looks SO much better, Jeanne! What a difference between the two! I like it best when the sleeve is pushed up halfway. A pretty little cameo pin would look sweet pinned at the neckline! Can’t wait to see what it looks like with the skirt and what else you do to finish it, but I think you will have a home run no matter what!
HI Linda,
I thought everyone would agree that the “new and improved” sleeves wold be better! I like the halfway up view best too. I’ll have to look and see what kind of cameo “buttons” I might have.
I’m hoping to have time to get it worked on today, but I’ve already gotten asked by my hubby if I can give him a haircut? He told me what was on “his” list and he mentioned a haircut… and I told him, “oh, I love it when ‘your’ list actually gets moved to ‘my’ list!” :o)
Thanks Linda,
Blessings, Jeanne
I thought it was pretty before, but there’s no doubt but that these sleeves are better — lots more personality — and I love the new buttons. I agree with Linda that wearing the sleeves halfway up is my favorite look. If we’re really lucky, Rebecca will have a new skirt tomorrow.
You would think that one of us would have a solution to the lady bug problem, but so far I haven’t found one. Their natural enemies — wasps, dragonflies, and frogs — would not be an improvement. If it were warmer outside, they might go outside, but it’s hard to control the weather.
Hi Marilyn,
I’m hoping to get the pleats made in the skirt today and hopefully attached… that would be great if it happened!
I went upstairs yesterday to look for a box and the ladybugs were swarming at the small window facing the north… (and I DO mean swarming…) I’m ready to bring in the chickens and throw them upstairs… seriously! Our upstairs isn’t like most peoples upstairs… it has been sponge painted but there is no heat and no air conditioning… Kristoffer lived up there and I don’t know how he did it… It would get over 100 degrees in the summer and as cold as 40 degrees in the winter.
Maybe the ladybugs will decide outside is nicer… :o)
I’ll try to add a picture, so you’ll know I’m not exaggerating…
Thanks Marilyn,
Blessings, Jeanne
Know this will sound strange, but can’t you just open the window/screen and let them outside? Know there must be a reason though. 🙂
Hi Joy,
The window we have up in our attic is called a Sample window and while it does have a screen, it doesn’t come off very easily. We bought the window just as an emergency one in case our son ever had to get out because of a fire… but the screen is pretty well a permanent fixture to the window. The screen could be busted out if need be.
The bugs are okay as long as they stay upstairs!
Thanks,
Blessings, Jeanne
Looking Great Jeanne! Wow what a difference. You are just amazing and we are having a great education on making doll dresses every day.
Thanks Sylvia,
It’s been an education for ME too! Sometimes you get it right the first time and sometimes you have to rip out! Oh well…
Thanks so much,
Blessings, Jeanne
You were right, Jeanne! When you’re finished with the dress it will look quite authentic to my eyes. That lace sash is yummy. Congrats on your perseverance and finesse with a seam ripper!
Hi Cindy,
I appreciate you comments and wonder if you ever pull the strand of yarn and redo things you’ve knitted? Oh, I forgot…. you’re a perfectionist and you probably get it right every time!!! I bet you have it figured out ahead of time, so you don’t “have” to rip things out.
Oh yeah, I’m great with a seam ripper! :o)
Thanks so much,
Blessings, Jeanne
Not even close, Jeanne. Just recently it took four tries to make a well fitting sweater for Penny. Remember that pile of bodices that I made for Millie before I got one I liked? Unlike you, I am terrible with a seam ripper; I usually get frustrated and start over. I need more of your patience in solving problems.
ME! (I didn’t ‘mind’ the first sleeve – – – until I saw the second!) 🙂 Looking great!
HI Mary,
Thanks so much for your compliments on the new sleeves. Much better, huh?
I appreciate your thoughts…
Blessings, Jeanne
For some reason, the lace on the bottom edge of the old sleeve stood out very sweetly. The new one, not so much. But, I really like the puffier look and length. The button detail, brilliant. I like the lace sash too. Can’t wait to see the dress all finished. It will be lovely.
HI Joy,
The first sleeve was wider around the bottom width whereas the new sleeves are more tapered… I was trying to save as much fabric as I could for a bonnet so I made them a little bit skinnier.
I’m glad you’re liking the dress…now to just get it finished!
Thanks Joy,
Blessings, Jeanne
It’s so outstanding, Jeanne. I can hardly stand waiting to see how it will all come together….it’s just so luscious already.
Take care.
HI Becky,
Thank you so much for your enthusiasm on the dress. Unfortunately I never even made it into my sewing room today… so nothing has changed…
I like the word “luscious” that you used… nice! :o)
Thanks so much,
blessings, Jeanne
Half way up is best for me too, but no more bugs please.
Hi Jan,
I thought putting the lady bug picture in the comments was better than in the post… sorry… I won’t do any more buggy pics!
Thanks, Jeanne
Hi Jeanne,
I agree with Mary C. I loved the 1st until you showed us the second one. Definitely number 2… I can see why you changed it. Sorry about the lady bugs … here are a few home remedies not really sure they work but nothing ventured nothing gained right?
Burn lemon-scented candles
Flea bombs are a temporary fix
Line the perimeter of your house with food grade diatomaceous earth
Spray some mint oil
Burn mulberry-scented candles
Spray vinegar in places where ladybugs hang out
Place Vick’s menthol inside a humidifier
Good luck
Ingrid
Thanks for all your ideas Ingrid…
I actually sprayed my windows with windex yesterday cleaning them and then decided to soak some paper towels with it and squish them down in the cracks and crevices of the window… and I actually think I saw the ladybugs lined up like they were at a trough sucking it out of the paper towels… unbelievable!
Thanks so much,
Blessings, Jeanne
Probably because they are so thirsty! Will drink anything. They are beneficial bugs. Gather them and exit them to the outdoors. What about opening the window??
🙂
Oh yes, the new sleeves are perfect…glad you had enough fabric too! The lace is just the right size and the little buttons are so sweet…
My daughter had those lovely “Ladybugs” too . They can sure test your patience…our house in the country where our kids grew up was built in 1895 and we had lots of similar issues….crickets were a problem for awhile..those ugly noisy critters.
Here is some info on your critters
http://www.orkin.com/ask-the-orkin-man/orange-brown-bug/
Thank you, Kathie, for the compliments on the dress and the link to the critter situation… both are welcomed by me!
Our house is an 1892, almost the same as yours… so far no crickets for us…
Blessings, Jeanne
Sometimes I do what in a book would be called a “gasp” when I see what you’ve done, followed by a “Wow.” I’d love to see the pattern you made for the sleeve. I’ve made Butterick 5110 B that would probably have enough fullness in the sleeve if it were not pleated from the armhole down. That is the cleverest thing to have the lace and elastic a quarter of the way up. I’ve never seen anything like that! How creative!
I finally finished the Irish dance outfit after making a pattern like Simplicity 2834 Size 7-14 for girls. Quite a challenge for me and just in time for St. Patrick’s Day. Seems I always have to change something whenever I sew anything but this was completely winging it. Good luck with the lady bugs. Thank goodness is not a worse critter.
HI Susette,
I wrote it down on a note to show you what sleeve pattern I used… I cut the bottom part off but used the sleeve cap part…it’s pretty full and I also added a netting sleeve cap inside to help hold it up too.
Okay, now after all that work, we’ll have to see your St. Patrick’s day dress for Riya and her doll.
Thanks Susette,
Blessings, Jeanne
I definitely think the new sleeves are better. It was fine before, but the extra fullness gives them a more vintage look, I think. I can’t imagine how to deal with those ladybugs. can you call an exterminator and ask for some tips?
HI Carolyn,
Thanks for your kind words on Rebecca’s new sleeves… I do think they add more to the character of the dress.
Kathie gave me a link above and Ingrid gave me lots of ideas to use… surely something in there will work.
Thanks so much,
Blessings, Jeanne