I know how to make pintucks… really I do! Usually you double thread your sewing machine, you put in the twin needle, thread it, slightly tighten your tension and off you go making pintucks. Uh… not so fast! Today my sewing machine would NOT cooperate… it decided to give me fits and I was not very happy. I worked and worked and worked until I was sick of making 3″ test runs to no avail. What should have taken 10 minutes at the most, turned into an all afternoon and evening ordeal! Here’s proof…
I needed to change the sleeves into something that was more narrow at the wrist area that could be snapped or fastened to hold it down if the coat was put on. The elastic wasn’t going to work so I decided to cut the sleeves off and make a sort of modified mutton sleeve. It should have been simple to do but it wasn’t. I was using the bottom parts of the sleeves that I cut off to get my pintucks right… then I melted the lace onto my iron…ugh! When I used them up, I grabbed more scraps!
I took a break and went to town when Susette mentioned the Simplicity patterns were on sale at Joann’s this weekend.
When I got back, I attacked it again… This time I turned every screw on my machine in hopes of tightening up the tension! I FINALLY got it right and made the 10 rows of pintucks I needed!
Here’s a close up…
I’m most likely going to add some sleeve headers very lightly in the tops of the sleeves to pull them up just a bit.. They look a tiny bit saggy to me…
I gathered up the bottom of the bodice and added the skirt yoke… (Yep, Samantha is still in those boots.. I need to find the right shoes for this set so she can take off those boots.)
One nice thing about going to town was, I found this pre-tied bow and I was almost certain it was the right color… and it was absolutely perfect. I know it’s hard to tell in the pictures, but it’s an incredible match…It’s also very soft and easily manipulated. I bought a red one too… They make perfect hair bows for the girls.
Well, if I don’t run into anymore snags, like those crazy pintucks, this won’t take too much longer to finsh!
I’m going to bed… I hope I don’t dream of pintucks!
See you Monday,
Blessings, Jeanne
Yes, dear Jeanne, those pintucks are exactly what you needed on your sleeves. Martha Pullen would applaud.
Looking forward to the finished ensemble, and yes softening the sleeve heads will enhance your beautiful dress. It will be much loved by the eventual recipient. Sleep well.
Thank you Jane,
I’m glad you like the pintucks on the sleeve. I think it was just enough to make them look a little bit different than just being straight to the wrist.
Oh, I hope Martha would like them!
Thanks so much,
Blessings, Jeanne
Just beautiful, Jeanne! I love pin tucks, and they really do the job with those sleeves!W who would know they were so much trouble? I only see how pretty and fitting they are with the dress! The sleeves could use some “fluffing” up, as you say, but that is going to be a knock-out dress! And I know for sure you will make it long enough to be a real Victorian dress. Some of the newer dresses AG made for Samantha are way too short, probably a cost-cutting measure, but I know you will do Samantha proud, and do it right, like you always do!
Have a good Sunday, and no dreaming of pin tucks! 😉
That bow is really anice one! Did you find it at JoAnne’s too? I love grosgrain ribbons, because the hold up so well.
For some reason, my comment got totally mixed up!
Hi Linda,
Thank you so much for your sweet compliments on Samantha’s dress. Yes, I think some sleeve headers will definitely perk up the top of the sleeve caps just enough to make it look a little more Victorian than it already does now.
The bow came from Walmart, in the fabric Department. They were just in a box, loose and there were several different colors. I love the feel of them, almost silky like and they just drape so well on the top of Samantha’s head… I may go back and get the rest of the colors too.
And yes, my dress will be a little longer than the ones shown for Samantha right now. I have the skirt hemmed but I don’t have it attached yet.
Thanks Linda,
Have a nice weekend,
Blessings Jeanne
Jeanne, you always end up with dreamy splendor in your outfits. After all of your challenges, you’re coming out with a dream worth waiting for. Pastel pleasures are what these clothes look like to me.
Blessings.
Hi Becky,
Aha…another name to add to my list…Pastel Pleasures! I love it!
Thank you for your kind comments.
Blessings, Jeanne
The pintucks are wonderful! They may have been a pain for you to create but they look great! It was the perfect solution for the sleeves so they can slip into sleeves and still be stylish.
The bows look great! They are the perfect size. Did you find any fun patterns at the sale?
Hope you have a good day.
Take care –
Thank you Charlotte,
My hubby has gone to town so I just might work on Samantha’s dress a bit more today…getting that shirt attached.
I picked out 4 patterns, but ended up putting them back..I really don’t need any more unless they are totally different from anything I have already…I need to use the ones I have…
Thanks Charlotte,
Blessings, Jeanne
Oh yes… the pin tucks are just the thing. Love them on that fabric. The bow is exactly the right color….that is a great find!
This should be a fun finished dress to see.
Have a good weekend.
Hi Kathie,
I don’t think it will take long to get it completed…a few more hours in my sewing room and I should be ready to put it all together for pictures.
Thanks Kathie,
Blessings, Jeanne
Oh those pin tucks are lovely. What a great idea. Adds so much detail to the sleeve. Tell Samantha her dress is looking a little short. Hee hee. Can’t wait to see the finished outfit. Guess we’ll be in suspense until Monday.
Have a fun weekend.
Hi Joy,
I am really hoping to get the rest of this set all finished very soon…so I can start on another Valentine set…
Thanks for your compliments, Joy,
Blessings, Jeanne
Oh what a day you had. I feel your pain. I have a very expensive sewing machine that sews anything even heavy leather. Suddenly one day last year it wasn’t sewing right, tons of tests done like you had to do…even to drink a person to drink. I have been fixing my machines since I was 9 but nothing I did got it to sew correctly. The only person I found to service it was a man who had been in business for decades repairing vacuums and sewing machines. He assured me he had worked on my brand before and it would be up and running in a day or two. We picked it up, it was in its case and the next day I went to give it a test run and noticed he had removed the tension adjustment and replaced it with a piece of plastic crap. My machine is all metal…since he serviced it I have had nothing but problems. Every time I go to sew it’s time spent making adjustments. Of course, I was livid and gave him a piece of my mind so to shut me up he refunded my money. Still so annoying when your working on a project and nothing seems to go as planned.
Well in the end you figured out the adjustment needed and the sleeves look so pretty. I agree, a tad of “fluff” in the sleeves would be perfect. Can’t wait to see the finished project.
Have a fantastic weekend.
Hi Sandra,
It sounds like you and I are a little bit alike… When our sewing machine isn’t working right it drives us crazy! I know what you mean about plastic parts on the machine. ..I was just telling someone the other day to look for a good used machine with all metal parts instead of buying the new “plastic” machines.
I’m sorry you got the wrong guy to fix your machine…maybe eventually you’ll find someone else who can rectify the wrong he did…
Thanks Sandra,
Blessings, Jeanne
Once again, your dedication to the details makes all the difference, Jeanne. I’m sorry the pin tucks gave you so much trouble, but the result was well worth the effort! From crazy pin tucks to perfect pin tucks, they are a charming detail, as is the deeper length of lace on the sleeves repeated from the bodice. The dress is a lovely Victorian silhouette that should work very well with its companion coat, and all the feminine details enhance the delicacy of the dainty fabric. The grosgrain bow is an amazing match and the perfect accessory with Samantha’s dark hair. Perhaps we will be surprised with a Monday reveal of this debut dress? Have a blessed Sunday, Jeanne!
Hi Anne,
It certainly would be nice if I could get this finished by Monday…I’m going to give it my best shot. I’m working on the front of the dress right now…there might be hope…
Thank you so much for your “detailed” comments, Anne. They are very much appreciated!
Blessings, Jeanne
Oh the joys of sewing! It’s a joy when things go well, but it can be soooo frustrating when things don’t cooperate. I see from your pictures that you got them done, and they look nice. I’m glad your trip to Joann’s paid off with the ribbons. Everything will be perfect when you are finished!
Hi Carolyn,
Thanks so much for your encouragement on the dress. It should be much prettier next time you see it.
The hair bow came from Walmart…in the fabrics dept.
Thanks again. Carolyn,
Blessings, Jeanne
That is just the prettiest Samantha I’ve ever seen. Wanna trade? 🙂
Hi Debi,
Oh I don’t think I can trade her now…she’s won me over with her sweet personality! :o)
Thank you so much,
Blessings, Jeanne