My goodness, it seems like I have been working on this doll dress set forever! I guess maybe because there were 2 full sets to be completed and the fact that there was LOTS of handwork, made it seem extra time consuming… BUT, it’s all finished now, and even listed on Ebay. If you like, you can click on the picture at the right side bar, or you can see it by clicking HERE.
I debated and debated about whether to list the dresses separately or together. I thought if I list them separately and someone wants both of them, but misses out and doesn’t win the second one, I’m going to be getting an email begging me to make a dress like the one they missed out on. On the other hand, if I listed them together and someone only had one of the dolls, they probably wouldn’t bid on the dresses, so there goes a good sale for ONE of the dresses. So I was in a dilemma about what to do, but in the end I thought I’d take a try at selling them as a sister set and see what happened. Let’s hope it works. So I’ll do separate dresses and occasionally I’ll do sister sets, just to keep everyone happy.
So let’s see… I showed you the dresses, the hats, the slips, the thigh highs, so I need to show you the capelets and the bunnies.
I wasn’t sure when I drafted my cape pattern how I was going to close it… should have thought that through… But I figured it out…it’s just not that pretty on the inside. I need to work on that before I do the next one. I toyed with the idea of having a magnetic closing on the cape, because it’s a really tight small space just under the dolls chins. I thought if I could figure out how to make the magnetic ends catch, it would just be a matter of getting the ends of the magnets to touch and it would hold the cape shut. Well, the magnets were too bulky.
I thought to tie something that tiny under their chins would be a nightmare… so I thought maybe a snap might work best, but the wool felt is very delicate and I didn’t want the snap to tear the fabric. So in the end, I used a soft and flexible Velcro piece. It’s easiest if you wrap the cape around your dolls right shoulder, making sure you line it up straight down the front of the dolls body, hold it in place with your left thumb in front and your other fingers on her back. Then pull the cape around your dolls left shoulder and line up the top edges of the cape. It might take a time or two to get it right, but I got pretty good at lining up the stitching as well as the top edge. Press down the Velcro and it should stay in place.
If you click on the pictures, they will enlarge.
I was trying to find something “Eastery” for both girls and didn’t have time to paint any baskets white and decorate them… I thought a purse was too much…I didn’t have any light blue teddy bears…the girls wanted more than a sprig of flowers in their hands, so I looked in my “other” box of toys and found the bunnies Susette had sent me last year. I had a pink one and 2 light tan ones… PERFECT! I could make these bunnies work! I took the brown ribbons from their necks and replaced them with a blue and white ribbon. Much better.
Now the girls had everything they needed… and I was finally done… well EXCEPT for taking all those pictures and getting them sorted and in order for my listing… Here are some of my favorites… Hope you like the finished look!
If you missed the link to the set up above, here it is again… ~ Sisters in Blue ~
See you tomorrow,
Blessings, Jeanne
Oh Jeanne, this is one of the most completely adorable sets you’ve ever made! Each picture just makes me oooh and ahh when it pops up! I love the little blue capes too, they just complete the outfits so perfectly, and love the little pearl buttons! Just the perfect touch! So funny—the bunny inside the cape! You DO have a sense of humor!!
All that wondering how to post them, separately or not, well, you already have a bid, so that’s a moot point at this time!!
HI Linda,
Thanks so much for your sweet compliments on the girls blue dresses. They do look pretty sweet together, don’t they? Thank you for suggesting the pearl button closure on the front… I needed someone to tell me what to do and I’m glad you spoke up!
I do have a sense of humor and I’m glad it comes through in my pictures! :o)
Thanks Linda,
Blessings, Jeanne
The little bunny who is popping through the cape — I nearly spit cereal on my computer I was laughing so.
This little sister set is beautiful. Your handwork is so precise, it is truly artwork.
Thank you for sharing it with us.
Take care.
HI Charlotte,
Well, I didn’t think that bunny in the cape would get that big of a response, but I’m glad you got a smile or “more” out of it.
Thank you so much for your kind words about the set Charlotte,
Blessings, Jeanne
If I’d been eating cereal when I read Charlotte’s comment, I would have nearly spit cereal on my computer too. I agree, the bunny in the cape is pretty funny and pretty cute.
I love the pearl buttons on the capes and the bunnies are delightful.
There won’t be as many bidders — probably — because a bidder would need to have both dolls or plan on getting a second one, but it is nice to think that the dresses will go as a pair.
Thank you Marilyn,
It’s nice to know I picked the right way to decorate the capes and I’m glad everyone likes the bunny hiding in the cape. The other cape’s neck opening was too small for the other bunny to fit in.
It was a hard decision about putting them together, but they GO together so sweetly, I HAD to keep them together.
Thanks Marilyn,
Blessings, Jeanne
The little dresses are just darling. The capes are so clever and cute at the same time. Genius once again. The bunnies will be happy to find a home together. It sounds like several of your readers have sets of the dolls. Good luck on the bidding.
HI Susette and thank you so much for your sweet words! I need to work on the capes before I forget what I did the first time to get them the way they are. Thank you again for the bunnies, they are just perfect in size for the Little Darlings. I might have to see if you remember the seller who had them. I haven’t even looked myself…
Thank you again,
Blessings, Jeanne
The outfits are marvelous, Jeanne. Again, I thank you for the honor of viewing your process, progress and perfection by the time you list them to sell. May the winner be one happy person!
Blessings.
Thank you Becky,
It was a lot of fun for me to see the dresses come together and then finally when I saw them in pictures, I was happy! They truly do look like sisters now! It’s fun to have them standing on my cutting table for now…
I appreciate your sweet compliments.
Blessings, Jeanne
Adorable! The capes are so pretty and I love the little felt flowers on back. Bunnies are precious:)
Someone is winning a sister set!
HI Shara,
I am so glad I opted to make little capes instead of a jacket this time. I think they were the perfect thing to go with the Springy dresses this time.
YES… someone IS wining a sister set! YAY!
Thanks Shara,
Blessings, Jeanne
Your outfits are just adorable! You always know just how to accent them with the little extras. I also make sister dresses but also include the 8″ Heartstring dolls. I was wondering where you found the shoes for the 10″ doll? Your little wigs are also very cute.
Thank you for your wonderful artwork with your dolls.
HI Janet,
Thank you so much for your kind comments on the sister dresses. I have seen your dresses too with all 3 dolls in your pictures… whew…that’s a LOT of work… I know! Making 2 at the same time was plenty for me!
I’m not absolutely 100% positive, but I’m pretty sure these were the shoes I used for my Helen Kish, Bitty Bethany doll. I sold my BB, but kept these shoes and I’m so glad I did. I can’t think of any other small doll who would have worn these, so I’m pretty sure they fit Bitty Bethany. Hope that helps.
Thanks so much Janet,
Blessings, Jeanne
Thank you for your reply. I do have some shoes for BB and will try them on my doll.
Blessings to you also, Janet
This set is sooooo beautiful that I wish I had both dolls (or even one)! Thank you for showing the back side of the cape and the closure. I have wondered how your embroidery and embellishments are finished on the inside of the felt jackets.
HI Donna,
Thank you for your kind words about my work…although this really isn’t the greatest thing to look at this time.. the inside of the cape isn’t quite what I had hoped it would look like, but it was my first attempt at making a cape so I still have some kinks to work out on it.
I’m glad you enjoyed looking at them…
…now how come you don’t have a doll??? *sigh* What dolls do you have?
Blessings, Jeanne
Believeme, I do have dolls, just not any of those cuties. When my first granddaughter was born (she turned 12 yesterday) I started buying 18″ doll; Ann Estelle, Effanbee Katie, Gotz, and several more. I also have a whole family of the 10″ Ann Estelles and Sofies.
Anyway we gave American girl dolls to both of our granddaughters for Christmas. After trying to sew for the dolls, I found it hard to fit without a model, so Molly came to live with me.
Your posts inspire me and I would love to see more of how you finish the insides of your garments. I haven’t sewn much since my daughter put her foot down 30 years ago, so I am relearning everything.
Keep up the good work both in your in your sewing room and on your blog. I look forward each day to reading it, but miss you on Sunday. Totally understand needing family time. I sure hope your husband is doing well and that whatever treatment is working and not causing him too many side effects.
I also appreciate your local weather and social stories. My daughter’s fiancée is from Mt. Vernon and my husband graduated from SIU.
Donna
HI again Donna,
Well, I’m glad to find out that you do have SOME dollies living at your house. I’m glad that you enjoy yourself here and I’m especially happy to inspire you to do more sewing. I love to sew and hope I do until I’m too old to see anymore.
Thank you for your kind compliments on everything… Wow… Mt. Vernon is about an hour away from us and SIU is just 2 minutes from our house… we both went there.
Thanks Donna,
Blessings, Jeanne
The dresses are just so wonderful. I can just see the girls out hunting for Easter eggs.
I just got an email that I’m up for a doll from Joyce Matthews. Only problem, I can’t decide which one to order. So many choices. Must concentrate but it is so hard when I’m dancing. Little one will be here in May I think.
🙂
HI Joy,
If I hadn’t been so rushed trying to get the dresses photographed and listed on Ebay, it would have been to set up a little Easter Egg hunt on the grass… I have some tiny little eggs that would have looked cute in a picture. Oh well, maybe next time…
Oh how fun for you… a new doll coming… Do you have your choice for a doll narrowed down at all… I’mean, like eye color picked, or sculpt chosen?
Let me know what you decide. I love Joyce’s work… I have 2 from her… Lian and Janie.
Thanks Joy,
Blessings, Jeanne
Oh my, Jeanne, the girl’s outfits are absolutely adorable. The little capes with the pearls are perfect! Again, the detail is amazing. Both girls look so sweet in their outfits. The bunnies are perfect too.
The whole set is so sweet. Jeanne, you did it again! Beautiful outfits.
Thank you Paula,
The girls are really fun to see in person… they almost look real!
I appreciate your sweet compliments and so glad you like them.
Thank you,
Blessings, Jeanne
These outfits are beyond adorable!!!! I adore the capes.