Ten Ping is very happy with me today… I got her dress set done. Well, almost done. I just noticed as I took my pictures and was going over them; culling the ones that didn’t make “the cut,” that the buttons I sewed on the front of her jacket…are actually navy and not black…oops… It was very hard to tell but when my pictures were blown up full size, I could see they were navy. I’m not sure I have any more 2mm black buttons, and if not, the buttons might be different.
I finished her dress with a sweet slightly full skirt, and my favorite white Swiss batiste lace at the hem. I decided to just use a black and white checked ribbon at her waist instead of the microcheck fabric I had, as it was less bulky under her jacket.
[If you click on the pictures they will enlarge.]
Ten Ping picked out the hot pink tulle for her very full slip, and we found the black and white slip on shoes in a box from shoes I had made earlier.
She couldn’t wait to get all the pieces on and then top it off with her new hat. She told me she feels very pretty in this outfit!
I just used some ball pins in a bright pink color for her earrings. The points are snipped off and they just slide into the holes for her earrings.
I’m going to do my best to get this listed tonight on Ebay, but I haven’t figured out how I want her posed for the pictures yet. I’m trying to think up a little story line to go with this dress… maybe if I sleep on it, I’ll figure it out.
See you tomorrow,
Blessings, Jeanne
What a sweet little Easter outfit for Ten Ping, Jeanne! The colors are just perfect for her, and navy buttons? I can’t tell! The hat is just the thing, perfectly matched with the pink of the fabric of the jacket! The lace gives it a delicate look and dresses the outfit up. Just perfect!
It looks like she is waiting for the Easter Bunny there on the bench!
HI Linda,
Yes, Ten Ping is all set for Easter…as soon as I find her “accessory” to go with the dress. I don’t have any bears in black or hot pink, so I may make a purse…
The buttons are unfortunately navy… rats!
I wish I had a tiny Easter Bunny for her.. maybe I should make her one… hmmm…
Thanks Linda,
Blessings, Jeanne
SWEET! love the outfit. My favorite part is the fuzzy jacket. Great Job!
Thanks for the nice compliments Sylvia… her little jacket is so lightweight and airy…it’s a fun little piece to have. It’s nice to have a delicate, well fitting jacket… I’m glad I got that pattern perfected…
Thank you so much,
Blessings, Jeanne
Ten Ping’s dress is sooo cute! I am wondering whether you started with one of the patterns for 8″ dolls from “Fashions for Small Dolls” by Rosemarie Ionker and altered it or did you start from scratch? I ordered the book right away when you recommended it and found it to be perfect with the unusual but uncomplicated construction techniques for a variety of styles for many different-sized dolls. Not having the background you have in fashion and construction, I wouldn’t even have known where to start on my Christmas dress for Ten Ping but it was a breeze.
The book even has suggestions for how many pleats should be included for smocking on fabric for the different-sized dolls! Can’t wait to get started on smocking after I finish the African outfit for my own Addy doll today. Thanks for the book review.
HI Susette,
I’m not sure where the pattern I have came from…I found it in a zip lock bag and think it may have been one from Riley Kish. I started tweaking it and ended up with a really nice fit for Ten Ping.
I’ll have to look at Rosemarie’s book for the pleating measurements…someone asked me about how wide to make the fabric when smocking. I didn’t remember that was in there.
Hope you are successful at getting your African outfit finished today!
Blessings, Jeanne
What a sweetie! That little pink slip can be another outfit with a tank added. Very cute. You’ll laugh, but as I was scrolling down, I saw the bench shot with TP and her pink slip and then the doll legs below. My mind saw a bench with doll legs! I thought, wow is Jeanne ever getting creative. I could do that. A bench with old doll legs. Then I realized the next shot was showing the shoes. 🙂
Thank you Joy,
I had to look back at Ten Ping’s legs and shoes standing on the bench. I guess I should have shown the closeup first and then the full shot. It does look a little funny when I look at it now. :o)
Thanks so much,
Blessings, Jeanne
A perfection confection….Ten Ping is very lovely in her new ensemble. You’ve done another great job on another pretty doll, Jeanne. It’s very kind of you to share the process with us.
Take care.
HI Becky,
What a nice compliment… perfection confection! :o)
Thank you for your sweet comments about Ten Ping’s dress set.
It’s fun to take everyone along the process with me…
Blessings, Jeanne
I noticed the bows on her shoes right away. Did you find the straw hats fit Ten Pink the best?
HI Jan,
These straw hats aren’t the ones I showed several posts back. They were much bigger hats. These hats were some I’ve had for years and used to use for my Bitty Bethany doll. I found them in a drawer and tried them on Ten Ping and they fit perfectly! YAY!
Thanks so much,
Blessings, Jeanne
I can’t believe how quickly this outfit came together. I suppose it helps to have a little uninterrupted sewing time and to know in advance that the hat would be perfect. I hope you can find some shiny black buttons. It’s funny how pictures can show us what we otherwise might not notice. An Easter basket for Ten Ping might be nice. A bunny, especially one you make, would be charming.
I have to agree with Susette that the Ionker books are inspiring. I’ve never had a chance to use mine, but there are entire wonderful wardrobes in those books. Embroidery, smocking — all the old fashioned needle skills — they are wonderful books.
Tonight is caucus night here in Colorado, and so far the weather is perfect. I hope you are having a wonderful day for whatever you need it for.
HI Marilyn,
I did have a nice un-interrupted day yesterday and yes, things do go quickly when I can find time like that. No so much today… my hubby’s day off and I had to help him get a car listed on Craigslist for a friend at church.
I might have to look for a tiny Easter bunny and a basket… it would be perfect…
Yes, Rosemarie’s books are very nice and SO filled with information…
It’s a bit gloomy outside here, but I can still sew…
Thanks so much,
Blessings, Jeanne
What a sweet dress. It came out really neat. I like how the skirt has the lace on the bottom. The print is adorable with the black and white check accent. Love the pink slip and hat too. Ten Ping looks so cute sitting on the bench in her new outfit. So darling.
The hat reminds me of those my mother used for outfits she made my sister and I for our Miss Revlon dolls. Those were wonderful dolls and not as shocking as the Barbies were.
I no longer have my Miss Revlon or her white haired friend, who was a well made Miss Revlon spin off. All these years later, I bought Tonner’s remake Miss Revlon and she is beautiful. Same honey colored hair in a pretty pink outfit. This is off the subject of Ten Ping but when I saw the pink hat, it brought back memories.
Our neighbor has lilac bushes in his yard and the fragrance is wonderfully strong. We sit out on the patio just to take in the scent. Ahh!
Blessings!
HI Paula,
Thank you for your compliments on Ten Ping’s Easter dress. I just got it listed on Ebay…it will show up at 8:30….about 30 minutes from now…
I can’t remember where I got these tiny little hats… they are similar to the ones my sister sent me, but they are much smaller. I’m glad they were a perfect fit for Ten Ping. I forgot I had them.
It’s funny how a hat can bring back a memory like that!
There isn’t anything more wonderful smelling than lilac bushes… I love them! enjoy!!!
Blessings, Jeanne
Ten Ping looks good in her new outfit. I like the black ribbon on the dress– and the bow on the hat. It ties everything together nicely. Another beautiful sewing job!
Thank you Carolyn,
I appreciate your kind words about the dress set. Ten Ping is enjoying wearing it while she can… :o)
Blessings, Jeanne