My day was filled from morning till evening and I didn’t even make it into my sewing room until 9:30 but I was determined to get “something” done on Rebecca’s dress. I did, but it’s not very impressive. I hemmed her dress and I managed to get the snaps and buttons sewn on the back of her dress. That took a while! The tiny buttons are some that a friend from church gave me. She said they were from her mom’s stash… I think they are very sweet…Thanks Beth!
I also made her hair bow, but I didn’t get it attached to a clip so I’ll wait and show you that later. “My” Rebecca said she can make a necklace for the dress…She said she’d come up with something pretty… I’m sure she will!
Since I have very little to show you, I thought I’d send you a blast from the past…I saw Diane Von Furstenberg on the news this morning, promoting women’s achievements or something like that…I missed the beginning of the story. It prompted me to think of this post from way back on September 12, 2014. It was my 43rd post, when I was just getting started with my blog…
I called this “My Big Chance at Fame from Diane Von Furstenberg.”
A few years back (come on Jeanne….okay… back in the late 70’s), when I was at college and majoring in Clothing and Textiles, we had a fun opportunity to get published in the newspaper. Our assignment was to create an advertisement for Diane Von Furstenberg’s dress fabrics that were being sold at a nearby fabric store. Anyone remember those slinky prints and the wrap dresses she was so famous for?
Well, that’s what we had to use as the basis for our ads. It was a lot of work for the 30 points it was worth, but the recognition we might receive if our ad was chosen to be in the paper was, well… enough to make us crazy workers for days on end.
The drawings are all on tracing paper and it has yellowed over the years, but I hope you can tell a little bit from them. This first picture was my starting point for my ad. It was just a collection of things I might want to use, catchy phrases, fabric ideas, etc. If you click on the picture, it makes it bigger and easier to see the details.
I started refining my ideas, but was still a little bit unsure about which direction to go…
Okay… I finally got the dress I wanted, but still needed to come up with the ad…
So this was my final ad and I was pretty pleased with it. My professor was too. You can see her remarks on the back.
Sooooo… did I win the contest and get published in the paper? My teacher pulled me aside and told me she wanted to use my ad, but the lady at The Golden Thimble decided to use someone else’s ad because they had BOUGHT STICK ON LETTERS FOR THEIR AD AND SHE THOUGHT IT LOOKED NEATER THAN MY HAND DONE WORK!
Oh well… I can only imagine how famous I might have been if only I had gotten picked! NOT!
Well, I hope you enjoyed that…
See you tomorrow,
Blessings, Jeanne
Oh those tiny buttons are beautiful but I can imagine why it took a little time to attach them. The dress is looking prettier with every picture.
Of course we remember Diane! What an interesting look back. I liked all your ideas very much. For what it is worth, I think that going with the “stick on” letters was a poor artistic choice. Your handwritten one was more personal and made more connection with the reader. You’re always a winner with us!
I hope you have a good day!
Take care.
HI Charlotte,
Yes, those little buttons, now in MY stash, were just the ones I needed… I’m so glad they worked. Thanks for your sweet comments.
I’m glad you enjoyed seeing my ad… it was fun to do and would have been fun to win, but it was okay.
Thanks so much Charlotte,
Blessings, Jeanne
Those tiny buttons are sewn on TOP of the snaps? You must have very tiny, delicate hands to do that! All that small stuff is very intimidating to me—and you have sewn it much perfection, I might add! The dress looks just wonderful!
Oh, you did a wonderful job on that ad! And to think all of that was drawn freehand too! You are really a good artist, I must say! I love your lettering, did you take calligraphy, by any chance? I too, am bummed that you didn’t get picked, but if you did, gee, where would we be now without Jeanne Marie doll clothes? Their loss is our gain!
The floors, oh boy—it’s getting there, but what a mess! We are living out of the bedrooms and baths, and I am trying to stay sane! However, so far, the floor looks wonderful, if only they could do away with the odor of the stain and sealer!
HI Linda,
I sew the buttons on first and then carefully sew the snaps on the back side trying not to piece the top fabric with my stitches. I’m glad you are liking the dress.
No, I didn’t take calligraphy… and my handwriting used to be much better than it is now. I’m not sure why it changed. I won the Penmanship award in 4th grade! :o)
We are starting a flooring fund and hopefully someday I’ll have floors…I wish like yours! Whatever we get will be an improvement. Hang in there…it’s almost over! Fumes and all!
Blessings, Jeanne
Of course I remember that pattern. It made, and still makes, DVF’s reputation. It was a nearly universally becoming style, and one of the very best of that era. I had one and so did nearly everyone else who wore dresses, and I still remember mind fondly. Pixie Faire has one in the 18″ size. It really wasn’t a girl’s dress — it was made for women of all ages.
Remember Elizabeth Taylor blouses from about the same era?
Rebecca’s dress is prettier every day. Tomorrow it may be done.
The sun is out. The snow will melt fast, but I think it got cold enough to finish off all of our pretty pink and white blossoms.
Hi Marilyn,
I think anyone over 50 has to remember Diane and her famous wrap dress. We all had one I think. Mine was a red and white print… of course I made mine… Yes, Liz’s blouses… what a great looking dress and blouse!
Thanks for the compliments on Rebecca’s dress. I’m hoping for some sewing time today!
Yay…the sun is shining… oh…too bad about your blossoms… :o(
Blessings, Jeanne
Thirty points awarded to Jeanne W for a neat hem and well sewn buttons and snaps!
What a great ad you created way back when! I like how it turned out too. (I certainly do remember Diane Von Furstenberg). You’ve become famous in our eyes and I, being one of your fans, am always eager to at least window gaze into your “shop”. Thanks for taking us along memory lane as well as the contemporary lane.
Blessings.
Thank you Becky,
Awww…how sweet that I earned 30 points from you! I’m glad all those snaps and buttons are finished…Now to the fun part…
I”m glad you enjoyed reading about my “ad” adventures…. it was so long ago and yet, you still see that dress, or variations of it everywhere. I am always happy to share my past if it inspires someone, or at least makes them smile.
Blessings, Jeanne
Definitely you should have been the contest winner! But, had you won, we would probably not be the recipient of your lovely posts.
We have a rufus sided Tohee pecking on our windows so have to go and shoo it away yet again. Mating season don’t you know. 🙂
Hi Joy! We had a similar problem several years ago with a bird pecking at our basement window. We solved the problem by putting a screen over the window. You can also close the curtains during mating season or use decals, including those only visible to birds. Good luck!
HI Joy,
I’m not sure I would have pursued my career in fashion design, and I am completely happy with how things turned out. I wouldn’t trade sewing doll clothes for anything. I love it!
We used to have a red bird (Cardinal) who would sit on the drivers side car mirror and peck at himself and just make the biggest mess and the loudest chirps you’ve ever heard. We had to put a cover over it, something like Anne suggested with the windows…
Everyone’s “looking for love!” I guess… :o)
Blessings, Jeanne
You should have been the winner for sure. What the other student did was a collage, not a newpaper-ready design. You really are an artist and it shows in your lovely designs for the dolls.
That really is difficult, sewing the buttons on over the snaps. What a lovely dress. Thanks for sharing your techniques and history with us.
HI Susette,
I don’t really remember how I felt when I missed out on being the winner. I’m sure I was disappointed and I guess I didn’t clip it out of the paper, (the winning one, I mean) because I don’t have it in my collection of drawings. It’s okay…I’m completely fine now… :o)
Actually I sew on the buttons first and then sew the snaps on the backside being careful not to catch the top fabric with my needle. If you button is bigger than your snap, you dn’t have to be quite so careful and slow going.
Thanks Susette,
Blessings, Jeanne
Good morning, Jeanne! Rebecca’s dress is coming along nicely with the addition of the hem, the snaps, and those sweet little buttons. Looking forward to seeing her hair bow as well as your Rebecca’s necklace complete the outfit. It will be a vision in turquoise!
Ahh, yes, DVF’s icon jersey wrap dress! Your ideas and drawings are wonderful, Jeanne, and though you may not have officially won the contest, you have led a “signature life” as much as DVF. I’m sure you wouldn’t trade your life’s work for anything, and your Jeanne Marie Originals are all winners in our eyes!
Blessings for your Wednesday, and may sewing fit prominently into your day!
Good afternoon Anne,
Thank you for your kind comments on Rebecca’s dress. It does look very pretty on her and I want one out of the same fabric myself. It’s going to be a nice set, I think.
You are right, I have have a wonderful life, figuring out what I love to do… and I finally know…it’s making doll clothes. I wouldn’t trade it for anything. I “sew” enjoy it everyday!
Thanks Anne,
Yes, there will be some sewing time today! I’m going to see to it.
Blessings, Jeanne