You will be SO happy to know I have the 3 dresses for my Effner Little Darlings all done! Yes, every snap is sewn on and all the handwork on the inside is completed! I am as thrilled as you are…maybe more so!
It took me a long time to sew on 12 snap sets…that’s 24 pieces! Then I had to do all the handwork on the inside of the dresses; stitching down all the seams, running the floss through the beading on the lace at the bodice and doing the hems by hand… (just like Marilyn said!) I had to give them a final pressing before I could tell myself they were completely finished.
I wanted to dress my girls in them, but they had a slumber party with Betsy McCall last night and they stayed up too late, so they went to bed early tonight. I decided to take pictures of the dresses in a sort of artistic way instead and hope you enjoy seeing them like this…
If you click on any picture it will enlarge.
Here’s the inside of the dresses…
…hand hemmed…
…the top side…
…and one last picture…
NOW…I just have to get everything else done for them… :o)
See you tomorrow,
Blessings, Jeanne
I LOVE them Jeanne! They look so wonderfully sewn, you could almost, just almost, wear them inside out! Not that I actually would, but I can’t believe how everything works out so well for you, ends meet, no hanging threads, etc., just perfection ! I wonder what the “everything else” is that you still have to do! Can’t wait to see it! Maybe little petticoats underneath? So cute to see them standing up on their own!
Thanks so much Linda,
I like them just pictured the way they are too! They are like little works of art, I think.
I’m thinking the “everything else” might be thigh highs, a slip, a head band and a teddy!….Maybe… I haven’t checked to see what I have just yet.
I’m glad you liked them all by themselves…. My girls have awakened and they can’t wait to try them on!
Blessings, Jeanne
Linda’s right. Who would not love them? You’ll have to take lots and lots of pictures, including one of each Effner and Betsy in each dress. My feeling is that the slightly high waist for Betsy works very well — it just keeps her looking young. I’m looking forward to seeing these dresses in “favorite photos” groups for years to come. Merry Christmas to us all!
HI Marilyn,
I think I will have to take lots of pictures of my girls in the different dresses. I think I got it right, but the pictures might prove me wrong.
Betsy does have a longer torso and making it a bit shorter helps her not look so gangly!
I hope you aren’t snowed in like I saw on the news tonight, in some parts of Colorado! Stay warm and play with your dolls if you get cabin fever. :o)
Blessings, Jeanne
I’ve been visiting in WV for a while, so I’ll catch up by saying how glad I am that you and George found the new doctor. I read all of the blogs but didn’t have time to comment.
What a clever way to display the doll dresses. They look like Christmas ornaments. And finished so beautifully. Thanks for all of the info about Wellie Wishers as I was able to order the Willa that Riya wanted for Christmas while I was there and know what she was talking about.
I use true French seams on my doll clothes. First I sew a 1/8″ seam with the wrong sides together, then sew it with a 1/8″ seam with the right sides together. That leaves the seams totally enclosed. I didn’t think it would work on something so small at first, but it did. I insert the sleeves that way also, taking the seam over the first row of gathering threads and then enclose the outer gathering line and the resulting seam helps to hold the sleeve puffed up. I’ve never seen any clothes made that way in “real life,” but the method was in Vogue Sewing Book I bought in about 1966. I wonder if anyone else has used this method? I use it for my blouses also.
Once again, I love your blog. Thanks for so much info and so many lovely contributors.
HI Susette,
I’m glad you had a wonderful time in WV… thank you for the picture… you are a very beautiful woman… and those kiddos aren’t too bad either! :o)
I have a pattern book by Martha Pullen and she has some dainty dresses hanging on a tree like Christmas ornaments. I guess you could make a “dress tree!”
I haven’t done French seams on my sewing in a very long time… I may have to give it a try again and see how neat it makes things inside… thanks for the remind!
I’m glad you enjoy my ramblings each day! Thanks so much!
Blessings, Jeanne
Sew nicely finished, hemmed, and oh those snaps! Some LD’s or Betsy’s are going to be happy campers this Christmas.
Haven’t thought of French seams in years. Thanks Susette.
Thank you Joy,
I hope I make some Little Darlings and Betsy McCall’s happy with these dresses. It’s beginning to feel like Christmas now to me… I have the dresses still standing on my cutting table and they look like little “dressy Christmas trees!” :o)
I’m going to give the French seams a try again too…
Thanks Joy,
Blessings, Jeanne
What a charming and artistic presentation, Jeanne, and the insides show your exquisite handiwork so well. Your trio of blessings make such a colorful and shimmery display that I can hardly wait see them on your girls, who must be chattering with anticipation! No wonder they stayed up so late at their slumber party! 😉 Thanks for sharing your Christmas dresses, Jeanne. I’m looking forward to seeing the accessories. Wishing you a wonderful and relaxing weekend.
HI Anne,
Yes, my girls woke up and saw the dresses standing “TeePee” style on my cutting table and can hardly stand it that they can’t put them on yet.
As soon as I get done with these comments, I’m going to go check out what “accessories” they’ll be getting for their dresses!
Thanks so much Anne,
Blessings, Jeanne
How beautifully your dresses turned out, Jeanne. I will look forward to seeing them on your dolls.
Blessings.
Thanks so much Becky,
I appreciate you taking time to let me know you enjoyed how they turned out. I like them too… It’s fun seeing them standing by themselves… It would have been fun to have had about a half dozen of them made at the same time.
Thanks Becky,
Blessings, Jeanne
Hi Jeanne,
Love the dresses… I want all please. I can’t wait to see the complete outfits. Do I see pretty slips for the girls???
Have a nice evening
oops almost forgot.. No I’m not in Australia… I’m in Western New York very near Niagara Falls. Today it was nearly 70* Saturday we may have snow. They are calling for 4 to 20 inches lol gotta love it!
Hi Ingrid,
Thanks for the compliments on the dresses. It really was fun doing 3 at one time.
Yes, slips are coming…I’m working on them right now.
We are getting colder weather too…no snow for us just yet…but it probably won’t be long!
Enjoy your Saturday,
Blessings, Jeanne