I DID find some time to sew this evening and managed to finish a few more pieces for this set… I made a small bum roll, the fichu and finished the neckline of the cape.
Let’s start with the bum roll. It’s an underpinning from the Colonial era that was tied around the waist and held out the skirts of women’s dresses, giving it that “Colonial Bump.” There are all different kinds of styles and thicknesses and even what was put in them. Cork was sometimes used since they didn’t have batting. I used batting in mine... I didn’t want a young girl to have a big huge bump on her hips so I made mine probably on the small side.
I just made 2 small pillow case like bags. They were about 4″ wide and were stitched up each side and then turned.
I pushed some batting down in the end of them, pinned them and then stitched across from side to side.
I trimmed off the extra fabric and tied a piece of lace around Felicity’s waist to see where they need to be placed. I pinned them where I thought they needed to go…on the sides. I stitched the lace in place and then double stitched it again.
When tied around Felicity’s waist, they look pretty puny, but they do hold out her skirt… see…
The next piece I worked on was her fichu. It’s a lace piece used to fill in the neckline area. There are a zillion different kinds… (just google “lace fichu” and then click images.) You’ll see some very beautiful ones! Mine is again, on the simpler side. I just took a soft piece of lace and cut it into a rectangle. It had one finished edge so I folded that edge over and put right sides together and made 5 tiny darts in the back of the neck.
This makes it fit better on the dolls. I fiddled with it, trimming it here and there and added another tuck across the back of the neck to reduce some “bubble” effect I was getting.
The lower front edges were gathered up and stitched across to hold them in place. When placed around her neck, it has a sort of shawl collar look.
This is what it looks like on Felicity…when tucked in her skirt, it stays put.
Last up is her cape. Yesterday’s post (HERE) featured a tutorial on how to make the cape, but I needed to finish the neck edge. It was a simple finish. I cut a strip of the crushed velvet on the bias and just used it like binding.
I finished the edge of the strip and folded it over and stitched in the ditch on the top side, making sure the bias edge was even all the way across. I folded back the edges and used a piece of the soft and flexible Velcro to make a little tab. That way you just lap it in place and it stays. No fussing with snaps or ties. I made a tie from the crushed velvet too, and stitched it in place.
So here is Felicity again, showing you what’s done so far… but we still have things to finish…
I showed what I had gotten done to Rebecca tonight, and she asked, “Um… why did I make a necklace?”
See you tomorrow,
Blessings, Jeanne
Answer: Because the necklace adds so much to the ensemble when the cape is removed and because it gave your Mom the inspiration to finish this ensemble so beautifully. Great job, Rebecca. Someone will be so lucky to win this lovely creation that includes the matching necklace. That’s a wonderful tutorial on the underpinnings of colonial dresses and especially the fichu. It was kind of a mystery to me. Thanks for the many sewing lessons wrapped up in one beautiful creation.
HI Susette,
I’ll be sure and read this to Rebecca. Maybe it will make her think her necklace is truly a nice part of this ensemble.
When I made the bum roll, I thought it was okay, but as I look at my pictures, it really does look puny to me, so I may have to tweak it a bit.
I’m glad you are liking it.
Blessings, Jeanne
I agree with Susette, the necklace is perfectly beautiful , and it adds to the whole ensemble, making each layer a surprise! From the cape to the beautiful two piece dress, necklace, fichu and bum roll, it all adds up to a wonderful work of art, like most all of your outfits are, Jeanne. Do you have any crushed velvet left over for a recticule? That would be so pretty against the skirt part of the dress. I really love the burgundy crushed velvet! This is turning out to be a gorgeous dress, and how are you ever going to top this? It’s only January!!!
We are getting our ice now, at least we don’t have to go anywhere and will stay put for awhile. I hope you are doing the same.
HI Linda,
Ooooo… I like your idea of a velvet reticule and think I’ll make one… I have just a few scraps left but think there is enough.
We are getting freezing rain and it’s sticking to everything except for the ground right now. It must still be warm so driving isn’t a problem right now…
Stay in, stay warm and stay safe!
Blessings, Jeanne
Every ensemble you make, Jeanne, is a masterpiece in my opinion. Like Linda stated, how are you ever going to top this? Felicity’s ensemble is just so rich looking and so well made. It continues to be an honor to see your work and learn how you put things together. Thank you for such gifting to us.
Blessings.
Thank you Becky,
I appreciate your kind words so much. It’s nice to start off the new year with a dress that even I like as much as everyone else seems to.
Thank you for your very kind compliments on my work, Becky! I’m so glad you enjoy looking at my things.
Blessings, Jeanne
Beautiful. Just beautiful.
Thank you Charolotte,
I’m so happy you like Felicity’s new dress set. I’ve got more to do and hope it keeps getting better each day I work on it.
Blessings, Jeanne
Surprise surprise. Here I thought the dress was one piece. I’m not up on my Colonial dressing it appears. I wondered how you were going to finish the cape, and using the bias was genius. Tell Rebecca that the fichu adds even more attention to the lovely necklace as does the dramatic showing of her dress when the cape is removed upon arrival, all warm and toasty, to Felicity’s gathering destination.
P.S. Pixie Faire has a lovely free pattern today that will make another fabulous outfit.
HI Joy,
Thanks for your thoughts about Felicity’s dress. There are several ways you can use the fichu and expose more skin if you want to show off the necklace…or even leave it off all together.
I was going to check Pixie Faire today…thanks for reminding me… I’m off to see it!
Blessings, Jeanne
Thanks so much, Joy, for the reminder about Pixie Faire. I’m really signed in now and got my first pattern. What a bargain: Free.
Hi Jeanne
Happy Friday… Felicity’s outfit has come together beautifully. Thanks for the bum roll lesson, now I know. When I read the little blurb about cork rumps ….. “necessary to counter balance the extraordinary natural weight that some ladies carry before them.” I thought OMG thank goodness I wasn’t around in 1778 that much cork around my waist would kill me! haha Hope you and George are keeping warm. Continued prayers
Hugs
Ingrid
Thank you Ingrid,
Your thoughts on the bum roll cracked me up. Actually I have a new surprise regarding it. You’ll see.
We are staying toasty warm. Stayed in all day and I just took some freshly baked chocolate chip cookies out of the oven
That’s what I call roughing it, huh?
Thanks Ingrid,
Blessings, Jeanne
Felicity’s outfit is just beautiful, Jeanne. Everything about it is perfect – color, detail and design.
I keep losing my text so I’m not going to write much. This has happened the last several days. Also, when I misspell a word, the computer changes the entire text.
It keeps doing it!
I’m off. I am enjoying your posts. Blessings.
Hi Paula,
So sorry you are having computer troubles again. Nothing is so frustrating.
I hope you won’t mind but I changed my mind on a few things…
Thanks Paula,
Blessings, Jeanne
Getting to things late today. Susette is exactly right as to why Rebecca made a necklace. Felicity wouldn’t wear the cape indoors and that’s when the necklace will show. I love Linda’s idea of a reticule. It does amaze me how you come up with idea after idea for each new ensemble. I so enjoy seeing each one.
Oh, yes, Pixie Faire, need to check my email and then start dinner.
Hi Laura,
Boy, you were right when you said I keep coming up with idea after idea…
Except sometimes I come up with “new” ideas before I even get one totally finished! You’ll see!
Thanks Laura,
Blessings, Jeanne
This sounds as if I might get what I wanted, a dinner plate hat to go with the cape, and a ribbon and flower headpiece to show off the necklace and fichu for summer wear.
If you have pictures of the skirt before and after the bolster, it would make it easy to see the difference the bolster makes in giving the skirt that nice colonial shape.
Everyone else seems to feel as I do — we are watching a contender for best dress of 2017. It’s a good feeling.
Hi Marilyn,
Just wait till you see the dress tomorrow…a few changes… I haven’t done anything from the neck up…yet!
Thanks Marilyn,
Blessings, Jeanne