I think I’m in the “creativity doldrums!” I worked almost all day long on Addy’s dress and I’m still not finished with it! I had just about every creative flub up possible with it. It’s not that I don’t know how to do what I do, sometimes I just get hung up on WHAT to do… you’ll see what I mean…
I had this big blank lace collar just staring in my face and I thought surely it needed some kind of “embellishment” on it…and you know I LOVE to embellish. So I thought I’d do some silk ribbon embroidery on it. I used a pretty apple green and did a chain stitch for the stems. I picked out a nice rose color under a bright light and then moved to a chair to do the actual embroidery work. I got it all done… and even added some little periwinkle/lavender glass beads in the centers. Then I tried it on my doll and when I did… NO NO NO… it was the wrong color! It was too pinkish for the flowers in the dress! NOOOOOO! It took me probably 2 hours to do it…and then I had to be super careful when I was picking it out so I didn’t snip the lace or I’d of been really upset!
When I got it all removed, I decided it needed something simpler, so I just did some bluish french knots in the centers of the flowers… I didn’t even take a picture of it, but it was awful looking… it just looked like some pin dots on the collar… Nope, that wasn’t going to work…
So I looked long and hard at the dress and picked out a red and a rose and alternated 3 French knots in the centers of the flower design on the lace. I think I got it right this time…
I think I’m going to go ahead and go all the way around the collar, but I stopped and moved onto the pantalettes next…I used a fun piece of “VERY” embroidered cotton fabric to make them.
I fashioned a sash and made the bow in the back pre-tied…It just hooks with velcro so the winner can get it right on their doll.
I moved onto the head piece next. I debated and debated and looked at pictures and drawings and finally decided there was enough lace on the collar so I just went with flowers this time. My picture looks quite bright and I don’t think in person it’s quite that red looking. I stitched the flowers to a pipe cleaner and so it’s flexible on the ends and can be tucked in your dolls hair.
There was lots of handwork getting all the seams tacked down, the threads tied down where they met at the back for the growth tucks and sewing the snaps on.
I was hoping to have it all finished, but my “creative side” got in the way today. I never intended for this dress to require so many posts!
See you tomorrow,
Blessings, Jeanne
This dress is beautiful and well worth all your efforts! Good luck with your auction, I’ll be watching.
HI Linda Marie,
Thank you so much for your sweet compliments…It’s listed on Ebay now so you can start watching! I love watchers!!
Blessings, Jeanne
The second version is SO much better, Jeanne! The smaller embellishment of the delicate lace collar is just what was needed. I know how photographs don’t always show colors the way it looks in person, and her headpiece is just adorable, despite looking very red ! Oh, the back—–love it! Now all Addy needs is a little basket full of flowers?
Hi Linda,
I’m so glad…once again…that I changed things up on this one and got it right…at least I think it’s right… I guess time will tell. Yes, smaller flowers in this case was definitely worth doing… and as far as the flowers go… I found these at Joann’s today and they were half price… they came in just the right colors! No basket but a bouquet…sort of…
Thank you Linda…
blessings, Jeanne
There is nothing worse that working hours on something and the realizing it’s the wrong color. I feel your pain! Your final embellishment is simple, sweet, and perfect! Love the flowers for Addy’s hair. You were so lucky to find such a beautiful Addy!! Good luck with your auction!
Thank you Karen,
It sounds like you know a thing or two about having spent hours on something only to have it be wrong… oh well… maybe we learn from these things… hmmmm!
I appreciate your kind compliments and do like the smaller french knots better too!
I did find a pretty Addy… thanks again,
Blessings, Jeanne
The pantalettes are from one of my favorite of your white fabrics, and the sash is perfect. The pink flowers were lovely, but, as you said, not with this fabric. And of course the tucks are exactly right.
HI Marilyn,
This white embroidered fabric is one of my favorites too. In fact, when I was at Joann Fabrics today, I saw this same fabric on sale… I think it was 40 or 50% off and I almost got another yard of it, but passed for maybe one more time… I have enough for a few more pairs out of what I have left.
I just got it listed on Ebay so it’s ready for “watchers” or bidders… it feels good to be done with this one…finally!
Thanks Marilyn,
Blessings, Jeanne
Your changes have made for a stunning look on Addy, Jeanne. I can’t imagine any doll (or person) who would not want to wear this as a Spring time dress. Thanks for taking such pains to create such beauty.
Take care.
HI Becky,
Thank you for your sweet comments, and yes, I LOVE this fabric. Wouldn’t mind a dress out of it myself… it’s really a lovely fabric and the color combination is so so pretty!
I did take your advice and add a few french knots just about the bows on the pantalettes… gives them a little bit more color…or “spice” as you say! Thanks!
Blessings, Jeanne
PS…Might a few red French knots, dotted here and there, “spice up” the pantalettes a bit?
This is one sweet little dress. Great idea to stitch the flowers to pipe cleaners. (I’m so old I can remember my dad actually using pipe cleaners to clean his pipe!) Fortunately, he quit smoking and lived until 94.:)
HI Joy,
Thank you very much for your kind words about Addy’s dress… I remember doing craft projects in school with pipe cleaners… They are fun to work with!
Thank you Joy,
Blessings, Jeanne
Jeanne, I am all in favor of your second version. The lace, in itself, is lovely. As a stand alone it is very special. I am particularly in love with it. The lesser embellishment is perfect. I also am inspired by your use of a pipe cleaner to make the beautiful headpiece. A great idea!! I know you have spent a good deal of precious time on this ensemble but it is well worth it. I think this one is quite special indeed.
HI Jeannie,
Yes, I HAVE spent lots of time on this dress, but it needed it… and it had to be done! I like this lace too and sadly it has been discontinued by Hobby Lobby. I should have bought out all the stores close enough to me when I realized it was being clearanced…but I didn’t.
Yes, those good old pipe cleaners… gotta love ’em!
Thanks so much Jeannie… good to hear from you. I hope you are doing well…
Blessings, Jeanne
Jeanne, oh heck I fully understand how you feel. I have a piece of fabric – a Valentine print – that I bought short on. It was sort of expensive so I decided to be cheap. Well, I cut out and made two pinafore’s that turned out to be too big for the LD’s and too small for an AG. I am one unhappy camper on that. Maybe one day I will have a doll that these will fit.
Although I really LOVE the pink flowers in your first attempt, I agree, they are wrong for that print. Hopefully you’ll have a chance to do that collar, embellished in that way, for a different fabric.
The whole dress came out beautifully. Best wishes on your auction!