I’ve got a short post, but I hope you don’t mind
It shows my new dress…it’s a one of a kind
Green is the color of the fabric this time
With a hint of some pink, I think it’s sublime
I hope that you like it cause I think it’s quite sweet
There’s still lots to do to make it complete
A necklace? Perhaps, and maybe a bum roll
To make it Colonial…that is the goal
Felicity said she was glad that I noticed her on the dolly shelf now that Josefina and Kit weren’t standing in front of her anymore! I told her she just had to be patient with me and I’d eventually get back to her. She gave me a “dolly look” that only dolls can give you… ever get it from your girls?
I found what I think is one of the most Colonial fabrics in my stash and am in the process of making Felicity a 2 piece dress set. The skirt is separate with a waistband that has velcro for a perfect fit on your doll. The self lined bodice part of her dress is fitted and comes to a deep point in front. Her sleeves are set in and have a bit of vintage lace at the bottoms edge. It will close in the back with hidden snaps.
If you click on any picture, it will enlarge.
I want to make Felicity a bum roll to help this dress look “more Colonial.” I think it will. I pinched it out at the hips and it definitely makes it easy to recognize that this is from the Colonial era.
I’m hoping to do a little “handwork” on it and possibly add a fichu and I’ll see what Rebecca can come up with in the way of a pretty necklace. Then of course there’s the head covering… I’m not sure about a straw hat, but maybe something else… I’ll have to look up some Colonial head dress pieces for ideas.
See… I told you it would be a short post… was it worth the wait?
See you tomorrow,
Blessings, Jeanne
It’s lovely and definitely worth the wait. I especially like the way you have placed the flowers on the bodice. I agree that a bolster would be a nice addition and would make the shape of the skirt nicely colonial. You could also give us a tutorial on bolster-making, since we can’t all buy this dress.
On Google, images for colonial america women’s hats seems to work slightly better than colonial american women’s hats. Looking at the pictures, a lot of the caps appear on older women, and I imagine that’s who wore them. Colonial america girl’s hats images produces nearly half American Girl doll pictures, which is fun but not necessarily authentic. I like the forward tilted hats, but I’m not sure they were for young girls, though children dressed like miniature adults until the early 1800s, if I remember correctly. It will be interesting to see what you find. I’m nearly certain that you have a thin but useful book of colonial clothing that you reviewed for us not long ago. Your research would make an interesting post.
Hi Marilyn,
Maybe I will do a tutorial on how to make a bum roll so everyone can make one for themselves and turn any dress that’s similar into a Colonial dress.
I’m glad you like it and sorry that the wait after Christmas was so long.
I have some pretty green wool felt I’d like to use but will have to check out some ideas…
Thanks for all your thoughts.
Blessings, Jeanne
I too, like Marilyn, love the way you placed the flowers on the dress! The colors are so soft and perfect for your beautiful Felicity! Mine doesn’t have hair like that, so she must be Pleasant Company? I love the way the bum-roll poufs out the dress on the sides too! yes, I would also like to see how you do that!
A fichu would look good too, but then where would the necklace go? I think it depends on what time of the year this dress would be worn. It looks like it would work all year round with the right accessories, and not all worn at the same time. A straw hat would work for spring and summer, something else for the colder months, although Felicity wore a cape in winter, so the only covering on her were those little, gee, I don’t know what they are called, but like little hankies. That’s what the majority of head coverings Felicity has in her wardrobe. I just can’t see a mob cap with this dress, it’s too fancy or something.
Whatever you do, Jeanne, will work, because you do it right!!
Jeanne, I don’t mean hankies on her head, I’m thinking of pinners!! Couldn’t think of the name, silly me!!!
HI Linda,
I think I will do a tutorial on how I make the bum roll… It should be pretty easy to do and everyone can follow along and make one for their dolls!
Yes, my Felicity is one of the Pleasant Company dolls. I was looking at her in the pictures last night and I am SO glad I found her. She has the prettiest eyes…unlike my other 2 Felicity’s.
I’m going to have to do a little looking and see what I have and what looks best… Rebecca made her necklace today and it’s very pretty!
I had to help my mom with something today, so I’m just hoping I have something besides her necklace to show you tomorrow!
Oh, by the way, those little hat like thingies…were called Pinner Caps.
Thanks Linda,
Blessings, Jeanne
Totally gorgeous, Jeanne….can’t wait to see further progress. It’s a beautiful work so far. You make the dolls “sing”….love it!
Blessings.
Hi Becky,
Thanks for your sweet comments! I’m glad you like Felicity’s new dress. She was LONG overdue for one… I thought it only fitting to start with her. …and Laura begged me twice! :o) That always helps!
Blessings, Jeanne
Remarkable! Felicity is amazing in this fabric. Love the style and the fabric. Makes me wish I too had a Felicity.
HI Joy,
I hope Felicity’s dress gets prettier the more I do it too! Thanks so much and YES… you should get a Felicity… :o)
Blessings, Jeanne
This is just lovely! I love the fabric, very unique in color! I enjoy your posts! You inspire me.
HI Marla,
I’m so glad you like Felicity’s dress and SO glad you are inspired when you read my blog posts. That makes me smile! :o)
Blessings, Jeanne
Hi Jeanne,
Love Felicity’s new dress. The dress colors work well with her green eyes. I love all your head dressings so I’m sure whatever you make well be fabulous! Just wondered what a bum roll is? Have a great day.
Hugs
Ingrid
HI Ingrid,
I’m so happy to hear all the comments and know that Felicity’s dress is to everyone’s liking! She sure likes it… and thinks she’s going to get to keep it…
A bum roll is something from the Colonial era that was tied around the women’s waist that was almost like a pillow roll. It made the dresses have that “Colonial Bump” right at the hips. If you stick around, you might see me make one! :o)
Thanks Ingrid,
Blessings, Jeanne
Yeah! Felicity did make it to the front of the line for a new dress. I thought it was a good idea since her debut is exactly a month away if AG stays to the timeline. Not sure what Felicity will get and the prices of AG items are so much more expensive for what you get than the PC sets were IMO. I know it’s because I like the wood, china, glass , silverplate etc. that was used then and because of new toy laws can’t always be used now
This one is lovely. The fabric is really striking and the flower placement is perfect on the bodice. I also like the little inserted strip of fabric on the sleeves. Yes, a mob cap , round eared cap, or pinner I think were mandatory in Colonial days. Green wool felt, hmmm a cape? I’ve looked at the red cardinal cloak I have for my Felicity and I am trying to figure out how to use it intact for a pattern to make her a green wool one.
Looking forward to seeing what will come next on this set. Love the idea of a tutorial as well. I’m very much into DIY for dolls now. A doll table is my next project. I saw a tutorial online.
HI Laura,
I sort of hinted to one day that Felicity might be the first girl up for the new year, but I wasn’t 100% positive, so I didn’t want to come right out and say it.
I used to love to look at the Pleasant Company catalogs and just dream of owning all the thing for Felicity and the earlier girls. PC things certainly were treasures to own.
I haven’t had a chance to look at any “hair” pieces yet, but hope to before bedtime. A cape would be sweet but my wool felt is quit thick and I don’t think it would hang right.
Could you just pin the red cape down to your fabric, smooth it out and cut about a 1/4″ away from the edge of it. or lay it on paper, pin it down and use a pencil to draw a paper pattern of it? Just a few thoughts that came to mind.
Ooooo… a doll table… remember to take pics! We love sharing… :o)
Thanks Laura,
Blessings, Jeanne
It’s another “Oh, my gosh” dress. Love the color, pattern of the fabric and design of the dress. Is your Felicity a Pleasant Company or American Girl? Mine is Pleasant Company and I’m thinking the face is just a little bit different from yours but it may be my imagination or the lighting. Did they use different molds when the maker changed? Mine is chubbier than the American Girl dolls I have. Lucky Felicity to have you as her personal designer and seamstress. Can’t wait to see all the wonderful details we’ve come to expect from a Jeanne Marie original.
Thank you Susette,
You are too kind in your compliments! I do appreciate them though. My Felicity is an early one, from Pleasant Company. The words are stamped on the back of her neck VERY large and she has the ribbon edge showing at the back of her wig. She has tiny eyes compared to the dolls nowadays. I’m not sure of all the different Felicity changes and would hate to guess. I bet Laura knows… The chubbier dolls were generally the earlier ones.
I’m hoping to get some details done but so far nothing… I had to help my mom with something today… tomorrow is Chemo day, so I’m getting things in order for that.
Thanks Susette,
Blessings, Jeanne
That is certainly a pretty fabric, and the dress is very nice. I bet Rebecca has all the bead colors that would complement the fabric. Felicity looks very pleased!
HI Carolyn,
Thank you so much! Not only does Rebecca have the beads that match this dress wonderfully, she already has it MADE! When I got home from my mom’s she had the necklace on Felicity and it’s very sweet! Just like always!
Blessings, Jeanne
Oh this dress is really neat. I too love the material and the fact that you centered the flower. I’m going to look up what a bum roll is. Never heard that before. Can’t wait to see what Felicity’s necklace and head piece look like.
With the talk of older and newer Felicity’s, I wish I had my Felicity in front of me. I forget what was on the back of her neck. I thought she was an early American Girl Felicity but not so sure she was Pleasant Company, if that’s possible with the early American Girl Felicity’s being different than the new AMG Felicity’s. I know she has the copper eyelashes and hair.
Anyway, can’t wait to see. I think I’m a day late in getting to read today’s post.