I was a good girl today and devoted time and attention to Kirsten’s new dirndl… you aren’t the only one who wants to see how this is going to turn out… I DO TOO!
I thought I could just use the little pink gingham bias trim….like I showed you from yesterdays post (HERE)
…and stitch in on top of my seam where I joined the white eyelet piece on the bodice. It turned out after stitching it on 2 different ways…ugh… that it wasn’t going to work. It was too bulky and too “wiggly” and was impossible to make a really straight row down the front. Believe me, I gave it my best shot… a couple different times. SO… I decided to open the bias up and see what might happen if I pressed it flat and then stitched it on… Ahh… sweet success… It worked perfectly and covered where the white joined the pink. I was happy with that.
Then I turned my attention to the embroidery part on the white eyelet. I decided to do what Ann suggested and I outlined the leaves in 2 colors that matched the leaves in the dress. I played around with some apple green silk ribbon in the middle of the leaves to brighten it up just a bit. Then I used some floss and began stitching flowers and french knots and some stems, plus a few glass seed beads in a light aqua. After about 2 hours or so of fooling around, I called it quits and decided I liked it… it’s a good thing, because I sure didn’t relish the idea of starting completely from scratch again.
The lime fabric that I had shown with the group of fabrics, proved to be a piece that I decided not to use at least in the dress part. It may find its way on her hat, but for now, it’s set aside. I used a pretty light lavender piping to trim out the armholes and like the way it softens up the dark pink next to the bright white.
I added her skirt and think the print looks pretty good with the embroidered part. (Even if you don’t think it does, don’t tell me…after all that work, I just might cry!) The skirt isn’t hemmed yet but the snaps are sewn to the back and I used tiny little aqua buttons.
I looked in my stash of just white and ivory vintage hankies but what I had were too ivory and not bright white like what her blouse is made from. So I checked out my eyelet fabrics and found this really pretty bordered one and think it will make a pretty apron.
There is still plenty to do, but I have the major sewing done and think I can get this whipped together pretty quickly now…as long as I don’t have any big interruptions… My brother and sisters are all coming down this next week so I better get busy!
I hope you have a wonderful Sunday!
See you tomorrow,
Blessings, Jeanne
Hi Jeanne,
I love what you’ve done with the bodice, it’s just so very pretty. This sweet dress is fresh, fun and makes me smile. Have a great Sunday!
Thank you Ingrid!
I love to make my readers smile! Thanks for your sweet compliments!
Blessings, Jeanne
What a pretty, pretty dirndl this is becoming for Kirsten…your embroidery is just “the bees’ knees”. Maybe Kirsten should be holding a bee at arm’s length as I think she’d probably be an attractive “flower” for those nectar loving insects! Thanks for sharing your beautiful work once again with us.
Sounds like you’ll be having a big family time coming up….what a joy.
Blessings.
Thank you so much Becky,
You always say the nicest things to me and about my dresses. I am just thrilled with the way this one is turning out. I do have some little bees…and might have to incorporate them into my listing somehow!
Yes, we’ll all be together and I can’t wait!
Blessings, Jeanne
The dirndl is just beautiful so far! I love your addition of the embroidery! It makes it so special!! If you have enough fabric in the skirt to do a growth tuck, I think that would be a nice and authentic addition. The eyelet will make a perfect apron which will coordinate with the eyelet blouse. Like Becky said above, Kirsten will look like a beautiful summer flower!
HI Karen,
I think they might be enough to do a growth tuck on her skirt. I’ve had this fabric for while and was glad to see it go so well with some of my other fabrics. Kirsten always looks pretty in the bright summery colors. She’s such a pretty doll and I love making her dirndl’s!
Thank you for your kind comments.
Blessings, Jeanne
I agree with Karen that a pleat/tuck at the skirt bottom would be a nice touch. Can’t wait to see the completed eyelet apron. A very cute Kirsten outfit.
I pulled out a copy of our family pie crust recipe. This one in my mother’s handwriting. You won’t believe, but it is exactly the same as yours. Everything, ingredients, amounts, all the same. Guess this might be the inspiration I need to try pie making.
Annual family picnic today at my cousin’s ranch. Going to be pretty warm.
HI Joy,
A growth tuck will certainly be attempted.. I hope the skirt is long enough… I think it is.
How funny about the pie crust recipe. Maybe it was something from the 40’s or 50’s? I don’t know how long my aunt has had it…I’m going to have to call her and ask her about it.
I’m guessing a pie wasn’t on the menu for your picnic, since it is so hot out, but if it was, I hope you enjoyed it!
Thanks so much Joy,
Blessings, Jeanne
No pie. Dessert is always strawberry shortcake (homemade) with real whipped cream. It’s a tradition.
Beautiful, Jeanne! Your attention to detail has once again transformed the materials into an enchanting little design, and your embroidery is just lovely. A crown of flowers for her hair, and Kirsten will be ready for the Swedish Midsummer Celebration! Delightful!
HI Anne,
Thank you very much for your sweet compliments on Kirsten’s dress. This one is turning out very nicely and I think a little crown of flowers for her head just might be in order! A hat might be too “stuffy!”
Kirsten’s last dirndl had a wreath of flowers and I think I called it her Midwinter dress, now I’ll have her Midsummer dress!
Thank you Anne,
Blessings, Jeanne
Your detail work is what puts each and every outfit over the top. and, you have a fabulous eye for color. just perfect!
Thank you Ellen,
I appreciate your kind words on Kirsten’s dress. I just LOVE to make little girls dresses…that’s all! Thank you very much!
Blessings, Jeanne
The dress is gorgeous! You make me wish I had a Kristen! 🙂
HI Melody,
This is NO joke… I’ve actually had ladies buy a doll dress from me and THEN get the doll later… soooooo….I’m just saying….. :o)
Thank you very much!
Blessings, Jeanne
Like everyone else, I think this is a darling outfit for Kirsten, Jeanne! It is so colorful and interesting to look at! That’s what I like about those Swedish dirndl’s—the interesting touches that you don’t see anymore in clothes. Oh, the embroidery is just lovely! The material for the apron is just the perfect touch! Yes, like Anne says, a crown of flowers for her hair would be darling, with ribbon streamers too!
Thank you Linda,
I’m so glad everyone seems to like Kirsten’s dress. It’s fun a little bit of an adventure but it’s turning out pretty lovely!
I do like making the dirndl’s too, as you can add all kinds of details and get away with them. I think a wreath of flowers for her headpiece just might be the thing to pull this whole outfit together…
Thanks so much Linda,
Are you sweltering like we are? It’s miserable outside!
Blessings, Jeanne
I am just left to agree with every single thing said about this wonderful dress. Thanks for sharing the process with us and for answering my question about the sleeves. The dress is so detailed and just beautiful.
Thank you Susette,
It has been a very sweet dress to put together. I have enjoyed this one, even though there have been a few “miscalculations” on a few things… It’s still be relatively easy to make. I enjoy doing the free hand embroidery too! :o)
Thank you so much, Susette,
I hope you’ll give the sleeves a try… if you have any questions, I’ll be here!
Blessings, Jeanne
It’s funny, reading and agreeing with one comment after another. The embroidery is lovely. The growth tuck would be charming. The lace for the apron is especially nice. The blouse is wonderful. I especially like the lavender piping. I think we’re all ready for summer flowers.
I love that the recipe Joy found is the duplicate of yours. That makes me twice as encouraged to try it.
You’ve given us a nice start to the day. I hope yours is really fine.
HI Marilyn,
Thank you too, for all your sweet comments on Kirsten’s new dirndl. I think when I’m all done, it will be very pretty on her. I need to figure out her shoes and get a few more things done… It’s too close to listing time on Ebay to get it done for tonight, but maybe in a day or two.
I need to check out my flowers and see what I can do for a wreath of flowers. I surely have pink and purple and white and a touch of aqua and lavender!
Thank you Marilyn,
Blessings, Jeanne
Kirsten looks so lovely and summery. I think she will be all ready for the Midsummer’s Eve celebration. The bodice embroidery really dresses it up. Nothing more to say as I think it has all be said. Hope your Sunday was lovely, we’re having very warm weather here 80+ degrees.