When I left you last night, I had finished the basic part of Patsy’s dress and cut out a winter white wool felt jacket to go with it. I was going to embellish it with the felt flowers laying on top of it…
Well……I went ahead and made it up, machine stitched around the edges, and thought it was “forward ho,” but as I looked at it today, it just seemed too bulky for dainty little Patsy. The wool felt was some I had bought at Joann Fabrics and it was much thicker than what I normally use for my doll jackets. I also didn’t like the way the navy thread looked on the white.
So we had a little discussion, Patsy and I, and we decided to check out other possibilities. I pulled out my bag of wool felt and could not believe I had a piece of navy, the exact shade of her dress. The piece was about 8 x 8 and was just big enough to cut out a new jacket. It was lighter weight and didn’t look like a straight jacket on Patsy. Patsy was thrilled, I was thrilled, and I hope you’ll be thrilled with the new look.
I decided to try and mimic the floral clusters on the fabric instead of using the felt flowers I had picked out. They are much more dainty and I like them a lot better.
I think it was Marilyn who wondered what else I had made from this fabric. I thought I had made 2 dresses, but only found one…on Isabelle…
Well, I guess we’ll see what happens tomorrow…
See you then,
Blessings, Jeanne
Oh yes, the new look is much better! The scrap of navy felt was a serendipitous find for the jacket, Jeanne. It is the exact hue, and a lovely complement to the dress with the tone-on-tone edge stitching. The tiny lavender buttons are a sweet little addition, too. The delicate hand embroidery is the perfect finishing touch that echoes the daintiness of the flowers in the dress. Charming changes, Jeanne! Waiting for the final accessorizing……..Have a wonderful Wednesday!
Hi Anne,
I’m glad you agree with the new look for the jacket. ..it really is much better…softer, nicer to the touch and more Fall looking.
I was really surprised that the wool was a perfect match. It’s not a true shade of navy, but sort of a purplish blue.
I guess I better get busy on the rest of the set.
Thank you Anne,
Blessings, Jeanne
The new color choice for the jscket is perfect and the scale of thr embroidered flower trim is much more in scale. Patsy looks so pleased now:)
Hi Shara,
Patsy and I both like the new jacket better. She says it “feels” better and I think it “looks” better!
Thanks so much,
Blessings, Jeanne
What a pretty combination you’ve come up with, Jeanne. Patsy is a real cutie in her pretty new dress and sweet jacket.
Blessings.
Thank you Becky, Patsy is a little cutie in her new dress I think too.
I appreciate your compliments.
Blessings, Jeanne
Oh, yes, Jeanne, that is much better, especially for a fall outfit! The colors just match perfectly, and I thought the white jacket was a bit too white, but that could have been my monitor. The embroidering is SO sweet, and see, that’s what makes you a top notch seamstress! You are never satisfied with the status quo. You always make things so one of a kind and special to whoever buys your outfits. Nothing like a Jeanne Marie doll dress!
Hi Linda,
Awwww, thank you so much for the compliments on Patsy’s dress. I do like the new navy jacket much better than the white one. Your monitor didn’t lie, it was too white for the navy dress that she was wearing. It sometimes takes me a time or two to get it right but it’s worth it in the end.
Thanks Linda,
Blessings, Jeanne
I’m so glad I asked about other outfits made with the same fabric. Isabelle looks lovely — that color suits her so well. You must have made her one of your famous petticoats — in the last picture her skirt really stands out and she looks ready for a party.
It’s getting colder here — we are having a second gray day. It may be because of that that the winter white jacket just looks cozy and warm to me, not too heavy. Unless you have other plans for it, you might offer that jacket as a second alternative to your prospective buyers — show the dress by itself, with the navy jacket with its delicate embroidery, and with the white jacket with the cut-out flowers. It sounds as if you don’t have enough navy for a hat — I’m wondering about an embroidered headband. Like Anne, I really do like those lovely embroidered flowers.
I’m keeping a close eye on Rebecca’s dress auction. It’s one of my favorite dresses, and I like the bonnet a lot. I am cheering this dress on. The auction ends tomorrow night.
Hi Marilyn,
I should have checked my pictures to see if Isabelle was wearing a slip underneath her dress. I’m pretty sure she probably was from the looks of the picture.
I don’t think there is enough of the felt for a hat…and maybe not even enough for a headband. I’ll figure out something.
I’ll be watching at the finish line to see what happens on Rebecca’s dress. Hope to see you there.
Blessings, Jeanne
I love the changes you’ve made. I didn’t mind the white jacket with the navy stitching accent. Hopefully, you can use it with another outfit in the future. I’m glad you changed the felt flowers to embroidered ones. The felt flowers seemed way too large for tiny Patsy. The embroidered flowers are just the right touch. She looks very sweet in her dress and jacket.
Hi Karen,
The white jacket looks okay in my pictures but in person it is way too stiff. I think this felt might work okay for the AG dolls but not for my littler ones.
I knew the flowers were too big from the start and was probably going t o cut them down…it’s just better with the new dark blue jacket.
Thanks Karen,
Blessings, Jeanne
New day, new jacket. I liked the look of the whitish but not the flowers. Too big as someone said. I think some embroidery would tie it in with the dress perfectly because I like that heavy felt. The navy is nice too. I’m for headbands like Marilyn. Maybe one in each jacket color. Then the dress and choice of jacket or both jackets in the set.
Looks like a sunny day here today in CA.
Hi Joy,
I don’t think I’m going to finish the white jacket. The stitching didn’t suit me…it got kind of bunched up on the inside edges and I had to do some fixing it by hand…it just isn’t what I like to have my name attached to. If you saw it in person I think you would sgree.
I’ll have to see about a headband…
Blessings, Jeanne
Patsy is really cute in her new dress. Isabelle looks elegant in hers. Good call on the weight of the felt. I’ve only seen the heavyweight felt in the stores here. The embroidered flowers are such a nice touch and personalize the outfit. I finally found small four-hole buttons after ordering other kinds on eBay and then finding them at the bottom of the page as other things I might like. I’ve looked at hundreds of entries and not found them before. Can’t wait to try the flowers made in the four hole buttons.
I’m glad Linda said she was going to the St. Louis Botanical Garden as it inspired me to look it up as well as the Jewel Box in Forest Park, and they are both amazing destinations with great pictures on-line. Thanks for the memories of St. Louis.
I’m looking forward to seeing the new cutting table. Sounds like a well thought-out addition to the studio.
Thanks for your compliments on Patsy’s new jacket and on Isabelle in her dress made from the same fabric.
Congrats on finding some 4 hole buttons. You know I’ll be asking to see pictures when you get some made.
I’m hoping my hubby picked up the wood today for the table. I can’t wait for it either!
Thanks Susette,
Blessings, Jeanne
Well, your new sewing studio must make sewing easier. You had accomplished a lot on the dress in a short time.. I wondered about the white as it stuck out and didn’t seem to blend together . It seemed a bit bulky on petite little Patsy. I agree that the navy is much better and the dainty little flowers look perfect on it. That fabric is perfect as a transitional pattern from summer into fall. I also agree a sweet little headband with a bow for her hair.
Isabelle looks beautiful in that fabric as well. Her dark hair contrasts so nicely with it.
I’m with Marilyn, in watching Rebecca’s beautiful dress. Whoever wins it will have a stunning set. My goal this winter is to FINALLY get a Civil War dress made and I’m going to try to make a bonnet..hmmm should be a real challenge. My Civil War Marie-Grace and Caroline have been that in my imagination only so far as they have spent the last 10-12 months since they arrived wearing Kirsten’s clothes and now are wearing Josefina’s ruffled white blouse and an extra Felicity shift so they are a blank canvas while I look at fabric choices.
Hi Laura,
Yes, the new jacket is much more complimentary on Patsy than the white one was. I know some liked the white one, but I don’t think they would have if they saw it up close.
I hope you come up with a stunning Civil War dress for your girls. I’m sure you will…and a bonnet too. Are you still planning on getting an Addy dool? I thought it was about time by now.
Blessings, Jeanne