Well, here we are… day three and I am still working on Kirsten’s dirndl…and I’m not sure I can even get it finished tomorrow… but hopefully it will be worth it when it’s all put together. Let me show you what’s new on it today…
I did have enough length on the skirt to make one growth tuck and still have it long enough to look nice. I’m pretty sure Kirsten will need a pair of pretty white eyelet pantalettes to go underneath…don’t you think?
I made her apron from the white eyelet and got to thinking…it’s such a pretty apron and it could be used for lots of different dresses IF I left it plain…but you know me and embellishing… so I made a little cluster of felt flowers in all the colors in the dress…to be added in the corner…
BUT… here’s the fun part… I made it like a detachable pin and you can add it or not. I’ll show you the back…see it’s just held on lightly with a safety pin. This way you can use the apron on any other dress you might like. I thought that was pretty ingenious, if I do say so myself. :o)
Okay next… I got into my flowers and pulled out a few that I think might work for a garland for her hair… I’ll do my best to turn this conglomeration of flowers and leaves into a pretty piece for her hair.
As I look at the pink flowers in the pictures, it looks a little dark, so I’ll check it in the light tomorrow and see if it’s okay to use…and surprise, surprise… there may be a BEE involved! :o)
Now, one last thing… I’m not sure what shoes to use with this when I take pictures of it to list it on Ebay. The shoes WON’T be included, but I just need some help deciding. I have a pair of cream button up boots, a pair of ivory shoes with rose bows on them, and a pair of burgundy ankle boots… Kirsten didn’t wear Mary Janes or some of the other styles I have, so give me your opinions on the shoes you like best…
I’ll see what I can get accomplished today… and get this dress finished ASAP!
Here’s one last look at what it looks like so far…
See you tomorrow,
Blessings, Jeanne
Wow, looks like I’m first tonight!!
I vote for the cream boots; the dress has lots of flowers and embellishments already, so the ivory shoes would just be a little too busy, I think; I’m not sure, but on my monitor, the burgundy shoes don’t look like quite the right shade.
Will be interesting to see what the concensus is!!
HI Charlotte,
Actually you’re first “this morning!”
In person the boots are a little too yellowish I think…so I’m going to have to pass on them. Sorry Charlotte. Last night when I took pics of them, they didn’t look so yellowish, but today they do. I got out my Ultrasuede and even considered making Kirsten a pair of new boots, but I really don’t have the right color of pink… or aqua or purple…. so I’ll have to wait and see when I’m all done what looks best.
Thanks Charlotte,
Blessings, Jeanne
Actually, Jeanne, I hadn’t been to bed yet (I live in Seattle area, so Pacific time), so it was still “night” for me!! LOL
Too bad you didn’t have any true white shoes or boots for her. How about silver or gold? Not that a girl of that era would wear silver of gold, but…..
Hi Charlotte,
I’m not loving the cream shoes with the bows, and might have to change my mind on what I use with the dress. Maybe I’m being too picky!
Thanks for your suggestions…
Blessings, Jeanne
The last picture shows off the flowers on the apron very nicely. I agree that pinning them on was the way to go. Now to imagine the pantalettes so that I can imagine the shoes. Any of the shoes would look very nice, though I think the button ones are not period, so I’m going to choose the flats because it would feel so good to have lightweight shoes after the long winter.
This is already a lovely outfit, perfect for dancing at mid-summer.
I’m sorry you didn’t have time to finish it because this week is going to be crowded with nice people and good food, but they are going to enjoy seeing this outfit in real life as you finish working on it. Have a great time with all your company, and send us some food pictures as well as the Kirsten ones.
This is a talented bunch — you’ll have a variety of nice pictures for us. It’s going to be a nice week.
HI Marilyn,
Well, I skimmed though the comments already and it appears the flats are the big winners. They aren’t perfect, but they’ll do… Like I told Charlotte, I was debating about making a pair of Ultrasuede boots… and I still might when I get her pantalettes done and see what looks best…
Yes, my week is going to be filled with family but I’ve still got tonight. My sister, Cindy will be here tonight, late, so I’ll see her tomorrow…No telling what kind of trouble we might ourselves in! :o) (That’s the good kind of trouble!!!) :o)
Blessings, Jeanne
Beautiful Dress! I think that I like the middle pair of shoes the best. They are dressy as the dress is also. Great job as usual. She looks stunning.
Hi Sylvia and thanks for your comments. It appears that the shoes in the middle are the ones everyone likes the most… so I guess we’ll see what happens now… I wish I had some pretty little dainty pink boots…
Thanks so much,
Blessings, Jeanne
How adorable everything looks together, Jeanne! You hit this one out of the box, for sure! I love the flowers on the apron, and that was a good idea to have them pinned on. Pantalettes would look god underneath, like you say you will be making, and I think the cream high top shoes would be best, but you certainly aren’t going to see very much of them in the pictures, and they will be less distracting than the shoes with the pink bows. You won’t be selling the shoes, so why highlight them? The burgundy boots just don’t go as well, and don’t look summery enough to me.
The wreath is going to be so sweet, especially with a bee attached! The whole outfit will be a honey of a dress!
Have fun with your family!
Thanks Linda,
Well, I’m sorry, but it appears you have been outnumbered with the flats of Elizabeth’s. Only 2 people picked the cream boots and everyone else picked the flats. One person picked the ankle boots. It really doesn’t matter that much as you’re right, I’m not highlighting the shoes.
I’m working on her dainty hair garland right now… It will be a sweet addition…
Thanks so much Linda,
Blessings, Jeanne
The white shoes with the bows that match the colors of the flowers seem just right. Boots seem too heavy for the dress. It’s a lovely ensemble. I wonder if the felt flowers could be higher up on the apron as they tie in with the colors of the embroidered flowers. Really nice that they are detachable. Have fun with your family.
HI Susette,
Well, you are in the group that seems to want the flats for this outfit… Nearly everyone picked them. I think I may need to get some summery shoes for Kirsten… I might try making a pair of boots from Josefina’s moccasins and see if they work. I have a pale pink and it might not go once I put them on under the dress, but I might give it a try and see…
The flower pin can be placed wherever the winner wants it. It could even be worn in her hair I suppose.
Thanks Susette,
Blessings, Jeanne
So sweet. Personally I like the burgundy boots. Try them all to see which gives the effect you want. You don’t her foot wear to take away from the outfit. The outfit has turned out lovely.
HI April,
Well, someone had to vote for the burgundy boots and I guess that was just you. I’m sorry but the consensus is that the flats work best. Of course the shoes aren’t included, so the winner can put whatever shoes or boots she wants with this outfit.
I need some new lighter colored shoes for Kirsten… :o)
Thanks for your comments…
Blessings, Jeanne
What a gorgeous outfit this is turning out to be…another of your stunners, Jeanne!
In regards to footwear, I’d say the smaller shoes with the bow might be most appropriate. My first choice would have been the burgundy boots but like others, I agree that the color is not quite right. Second choice would be the white boots, but pantalettes (depending on their length) might be too cumbersome, so, I vote for the shoes with the bows that will draw our eyes down to the cute pantalettes (yet to come) that we will see peeking out underneath.
How sweet to possibly include that bee! He does look like he could gather alot of nectar by his size! Watch out, Kirsten!
Take care.
HI Becky,
I really didn’t have very many choices for Kirsten’s footwear and like was mentioned earlier, it really doesn’t matter that much since the shoes/boots are not included.
I’ve been working on the hair garland and yep, that bee will be in the mix! Just hope he’s along for the ride!! :o)
Thanks Becky,
Blessings, Jeanne
Oh Kirsten looks so pretty in her beautiful outfit. I love the colors you chose in the material and how you designed them all together.
I’d go for the little shoes with the bow. They are refreshing and not heavy to the look of the outfit, yet her little feet are covered.
Have a great day Jeanne!
Thank you Paula,
Well, it appears Kirsten will be wearing the flats… practically by default as I really didn’t have much to pick from . I did have some light brown hiking boots but they are so clunky and look like mountain climbing boots.
I’m working on the garland for her hair right now…
Thanks Paula,
Blessings, Jeanne
Such a wonderful little outfit with all of your touches. Kirsten seems to have a special smile today.
I’d pick the flats for shoes, but if it didn’t have to be period, I’d like to see just some plain white sandals for summer. If you have leftover skirt fabric, I picture a simple summer top and a pair of solid shorts for the modern look. Would be cute.
Thank you Joy,
I appreciate your sweet comments on Kirsten’s dress set. It’s been fun to put together and I’m not done yet!!!
I do like this fabric too… the aqua is such a pretty color paired with the pinks and purples…
It is very summery and would look sweet with sandals like you said…
Thanks very much,
Blessings, Jeanne
Hi Jeanne,
I think the flats are the perfect shoe for Kirstens Summery dirndl. Love the idea of flowers for her hair… so sweet.
HI Ingrid,
Well, it seems the flats are the most popular pick among everyone…and I’m working on the garland for her hair right now…
Thanks so much for your thoughts Ingrid!
Blessings, Jeanne
Kirsten looks lovely in her sweet out. That was a great is idea to have the apron flowers just pinned on, far more versatile. I’ve used Kirsten birthday dress pinafore and Samantha’s play dress pinafore over a number of outfits. A wreath of flowers for her hair is the perfect touch. A bee, how cute! Kirsten did collect honey in her stories.
As far as the shoes go, I guess I would choose Elizabeth’s meet shoes even though they aren’t period accurate unless you happen to have Kirsten’s brown meet boots which she wore with everything including her birthday dress.
HI Laura,
I don’t have Kirsten’s brown meet boots, but I have some light brown Ultrasuede… and maybe I should make a pair of boots instead of the flats. I also have a pink but it’s not a perfect match. I did revamp my moccasin pattern from Josefina and I think I could make a sweet pair of boots that came up a little higher for Kirsten… I guess I might have to give it a try.
I’m working as fast as I can to get it finished…
Thanks Laura,
Blessings, Jeanne
Happy Monday, Jeanne!
Kirsten looks so pretty and sweet in her floral dirndl! The flower pin is the prefect touch and adds such versatility. Both the apron AND the pin can be worn with other things. Buyers get so much more for the money when they buy a Jeanne Marie original!
I definitely vote for the flats with the bows, as I agree with many of the ladies that boots seem just too heavy (and hot) for this lovely, summer-y outfit. Also, because you cleverly chose to use the eyelet apron with just a touch of adornment in the corner, I don’t think the bows on the shoes are too much. Perhaps Kirsten will kick off her shoes after the dancing to run barefoot in the long, green grass? 🙂 Maybe she and her friends will roll down the lush, green hills, too, showing more than a peek of their pretty pantalettes, which I’m sure will have a surprise embellishment! 😉
Enjoy every minute of the visit with your family, Jeanne. Time with those we love is so very precious. Love hearing about your adventures in sewing, crafting, baking, cooking, shopping, and living! It’s all good!
Dolly hugs,
Anne
P.S. Would love to have your son’s recipe for the bean dip when you find the time. It would be perfect for Father’s Day and Fourth of July.
Happy Monday to you too, Anne,
Thanks for your very sweet comments from the pin to the shoes! I do appreciate you taking time to voice your thoughts…
I’m sure you are right about the embellishment on the pantalettes… but right now I’m working on the hair garland… and trying to get that bee to stay in place… he’s sort of heavy for the lightweight flowers…
I plan on posting that recipe for Kristoffer’s dip this week… I have it written down to do that.
Blessings, Jeanne
Yay, the dip! Been waiting.
Hi Joy,
I got the recipe tonight and will get the stuff tomorrow so I can show how to make it with pictures…
Blessings, Jeanne