I debated about several titles for this post…
The Reticule that almost wasn’t…
The Reticule that gave me fits…
The Reticule that wouldn’t cooperate…
The Reticule that took forever…
But in the end I decided on “The Reticule that gave me a headache”… Why? Because it really did! I wanted so badly to get this set listed on Ebay Thursday evening, but as 2:00 turned into 3:00 and 3:00 turned into 5:00 and then 6:30 rolled around, I realized I didn’t have enough time to get any new pictures of the dress with the reticule taken and the old ones sorted out as to which ones I was going to use. I was as disappointed as you probably were.
But… *ALAS* a Reticule DID get finished… and not just ANY Reticule… but you’ll have to wait for it just a few more minutes…
These were 2 of my failures… All I wanted was a simple drawstring reticule that was red or green on one side and maybe white on the other… Apparently it was not to be…at least on my first couple of tries…
I gathered up all kinds of laces and appliques and even fabrics…
I thought I could use some wool felt…red on one side, white on the other… but it was too stiff to make a pretty reticule and it wouldn’t have gathered up very easily. I’m sure glad I didn’t spend any time decorating it by hand… that would have really given me a headache…
This was one I cut out too small, so I decided to practice making round buttonholes in it where the silk ribbon runs through…
This one took me the longest…(of the ones that failed)…
I cut out 2 circles, added my appliques, lace to the top of each one, then I added the buttonholes to each one in 2 places… but when I pulled the silk ribbon it was way too bulky and hardly closed at the top…
So I took a break and did some thinking… my 2 fabrics were too bulky, there was too much lace at the top with some sewn onto the edge of each circle, the casing needed to be more narrow to draw up the purse better… So when I came back a little while later, I ended up with this…
Here’s a close up…
…if you look on the inside you’ll see this…
…and if you turn it you’ll have this…
Rebecca was thrilled (finally) when I slipped it onto her wrist… She wasn’t the only one!
I also repositioned the elastic loop on her cape…it seemed a little off center to me in my pictures…
That was my day and the battle I had with a teeny tiny reticule… :o)
(My dress for Patsy, “Christmas Cheer” didn’t sell, so I lowered the price, added a buy it now and changed it to Free shipping if anyone is interested…)
See you tomorrow,
Blessings, Jeanne
Yes!! I’m so glad you decided on a reticule (which is what I think I said I was hoping for), but sorry you had such a tough time coming up with just the right combination of fabrics, drawcord, trims, etc. And you made it Reversible!!
Both sides are very pretty, but I do like the more “solid” red side with the bow applique best with that dress. It looks very Christmasy. I can see the other side also being appropriate used with a more summery dress, too!
Well done!
HI Charlotte,
Well, I’m not exactly sure what the problem was… me or the fabric, but I’m just glad I finally got one to look decent enough to use. I like the red side best too!
Thanks so much Charlotte,
Blessings, Jeanne
Oh dear, I had no idea you would have so much trouble with the reticule! I’m so sorry about that, but look what you DID come up with! It was worth it, wasn’t it? ;_)
That was a wonderful idea to make it reversible and they both make such a pretty little accessory! It all came to perfection it in the end, but I’m glad the end came soon enough! I remember you saying a few days ago, how quickly Regency dresses finish up, but then I guess you weren’t thinking about the reticule at the time!
I too, love the solid red side for the holidays and the other side looks more airy and delicate for other times. The square lace piece certainly dresses it up!
I can’t wait to see the finished outfit!
HI Linda,
I’ve never had so much trouble with a little purse in my life. I guess because it was reversible it gave me double trouble! :o) But it’s done now and looks very sweet with her dress and cape.
I just managed to get the dress listed on Ebay about 15 minutes ago. It took me forever to get it listed too. I had to drag out some of my more traditional nutcrackers to use as my props.. you’ll see!
Thanks Linda…
Have a wonderful weekend,
Blessings, Jeanne
Very beautiful handbag! Beautiful holiday outfit. Feels festive mood.
Thank you so much Oksana,
I’m glad you like the way this all turned out! Thanks for your compliments!
Blessings, Jeanne
The teeny reticule is just darling and how clever to make it reversible. Sorry it took so long. I’m sure it will be very popular. Sorry the other one didn’t sell the first time around. Maybe another survey of what kind of dolls readers or buyers have would be a good idea and concentrate on dresses for that kind and size of doll. Which kind or era sell the best at present and for which size doll from a business standpoint? You sew such beautiful ensembles; every one should be bid on right away for sure.
HI Susette,
You just never know who is looking for a certain doll dress, so I relisted it and hope it sells this time. I’ve never made a dress for Patsy that didn’t sell, so I was a bit shocked, but that’s okay… maybe the 2nd time it will.
Well, sometimes things don’t work out the way we had hoped. Speaking of hope, I’m going to try and sell my Hope doll, by Kaye Wiggs. I have had that on my to-do list for quite some time… maybe I can get her listed this weekend.
Thanks Susette,
Have a great weekend!
Blessings, Jeanne
The reticule looks beautiful! Love the finished details. Looking forward to the photos ❤️
Sometimes we have to put our projects in “time out” until they behave:) I have several there right now! LOL
HI Shara,
Oh good, I’m glad I’m not the only one with a sewing project that didn’t cooperate as you hoped it would. I’ve seen some of your smocked creations on the Meadow Fan Club page and you are VERY talented! Your work is beautiful and creative!
Blessings, Jeanne
Everything has come together so well. One never knows what aspect will take the most attention though. That cape is so cute. Warms me up just looking at it since our heater is still sporadic.
I can’t remember if I asked before, but I wonder if Patsy’s dress would fit a Meadow Dumpling? The measurements are listed in the files on the facebook site. Only problem might be fitting the fingers through the jacket sleeve. The Dumplings here wear lots of the 10er clothes. Just a thought. 🙂
It’s Friday already and time’s a flittin to December. Must clean the house.
HI Joy,
Sorry your heater is still out… I hope you get warmer weather till it’s fixed!
If I had my Bailey, I could see if the sleeves might work, but since I don’t, I can’t take a chance that it wouldn’t fit a Dumpling. I need to look more closely at the Dumplings fingers…
I can’t believe it’s going to be December tomorrow. I have been trying to find a date that worked for our Married Couple’s Christmas party. I finally nailed down the 13th to have it. I hope nothing is scheduled for that night… hopefully not. I’ll find out tomorrow.
Thanks Joy,
Blessings, Jeanne
I love the reticule. When it was suggested I had no idea what it would look like. What exactly is the definition of a reticule? I see the word all the time but have never seen one in person. I love that it’s reversible. The whole ensemble is just lovely.
I am really surprised your dress for Patsy didn’t sell. I loved it and it would fit my Sofie. Problem is, I sew. While I can buy dolls it’s hard for me to buy an outfit for them. I enjoy the creativity of starting from scratch, and I have more than enough raw materials to make that happen. I make an exception for dolls like 8″ Tiny Betsy and my Heartstring dolls. I have made some outfits for my Tiny Betsy but I’m never truly pleased with them. They’re cute, but don’t look too close. Most of my Tiny Betsy and two Heartstring dolls’ wardrobe is made by Jo Flitton of Jo’s Doll Shoppe.
It is hard to tell what will sell for sure. A few years ago I started making clothing for 18″ dolls with the idea of selling them at local events. They were cute outfits, fairly simple but some having hats to go with them and in some cases I actually included shoes. After hearing for the hundredth time by mothers looking at them that they couldn’t pay that much (priced to sell at $10, $15 and an outfit with shoes for $20) for clothes for a doll when she needed to buy clothes for her kids, I decided the easiest way to do it would be on Etsy where I didn’t have to hear the comments. So I got an Etsy shop, actually with the idea at first of making Easter dresses for little girls. Something I love doing. Shortly after I got the shop, in January of 2014 I was in a high-speed rollover accident on I-10 one evening. I walked away, but my recuperation time took me through the Easter season and put paid to my intentions. I still have the shop but no inventory in it. I was studying music when I had the accident and for four years after so my Etsy shop took a back seat. Then I just couldn’t part with some of the things I made for my dolls. They (the girls) wouldn’t let me. They can be tough. So now I’ve found a couple pattern designers whose clothes my dolly children would not wear on a daily basis but might appeal to collectors. I actually love making those clothes because they are so creative, so after the New Year I’m going to give that a go. Then I have to learn exactly how to use Etsy. It seems easier now then when I got my shop, so we’ll see what happens. The clothes will carry prices worthy of the effort I put into them. And looking at some of the patterns, that will be some effort.
I have not been spending as much time in my sewing room as I would like or as I used to, especially in the evening. I had perfect vision all my life and now I have that age-related thing going. I’ve got close-up glasses in every room. Anyway, I was lamenting this to my hubby one day. He walked into my sewing room and stood there for a minute and said I think I know your problem. He went to Wal-Mart and came back with four daylight LED bulbs for my ceiling fan light. What an incredible difference it made. It’s amazing. I have several OTT lights in there but I needed the overall lighting to actually feel relaxed enough to sew for long periods of time. I’m hurrying to get my have-tos done so I can spend copious amounts of time in there – and maybe populate my Etsy shop with some inventory. Finally!
HI Barbara,
I can’t really say I know the definition of a reticule either… I just know one when I see one. I think I’ll find a buyer for Patsy’s dress set…if not, I’ll have a head start on next Christmas! I can’t go any lower than $55. I do have some time invested in it…
I had people do the same thing to me when I sold doll clothes and little girls dresses at my local farmer’s market… whisper that they could make it cheaper s they passed by my booth. It is easier to just put them on Etsy and let them find the one that loves them! :o)
I wish you success when you finally get it all together and begin selling.
It’s wonderful that you have new lights in your sewing room… they can really make a huge difference! My hubby picked mine out too! Great “seeing” makes great “sewing!”
Thanks Barbara,
Blessings, Jeanne
Dear Jeanne, the reticule is so cute, inside and out! Now Rebecca has some place to put her hankie as she dabs her forehead after dancing with Mr. Darcy (chuckle). I wonder if she will be invited to Pemberley.
HI Dorothy,
Well, Nutcrackers ARE involved in the listing, but not Mr. Pemberley!
Thanks for your compliments on the reticule… I’m just glad I finally finished one that worked!
Thanks Dorothy,
Have a great weekend,
Blessings, Jeanne
I’m baaaaaaaack! * waves hi * Did anybody miss me? I definitely missed chatting with all of you. I see I also missed the ENTIRE creation of a lovely Regency outfit. I haven’t had a computer all week and the library also chose this week to upgrade their system, so none there to use either.
What a beautiful outfit in holiday green. The sweet little cape is just the perfect touch. I love the reticule with the inside surprise design.
I glanced at your scene, Linda. Very cute. I’ll have to view it again in more detail.
I now have to go back and catch up on all the posts I missed.
HI Laura,
I did miss you… and it’s great to have you back! I hope things are much better now on the computer front!
Yes, I have a new Regency dress made and just listed it a little bit ago. I hope you like it! That reversible reticule gave me fits as you’ll read a whole post about it!
Have fun catching up on things!
Welcome back, Laura,
Blessings, Jeanne
After all of that, the reversible reticule is perfect. I hope today has gone much more smoothly and that you auction will be up on Ebay before your next post. After that you deserve at least a small break. I hope your weather is nice than ours, which has just stayed cold, gray, and dull.
It would be nice to know which other dolls can wear Patsy sized clothes. You made a lovely dress, and I’ll bet that there are a number of collectors who would have loved it if it had come up in the right searches. I do see Susette’s point — sew where the buyers are — but one thing I have always admired about you is that you sew for a range of dolls so that everyone gets a chance.
Stay warm. Avoid colds. Fix something easy and wonderful for dinner.
Marilyn,
Well, I’ll start with your last comment… I DID make something easy and wonderful for dinner…. beef stew with carrots, potatoes and green beans. It was nice and warm in the tummy!
Today did go more smoothly, but I had a meeting from 3:30 till after 5:00, so I never got those pantalettes made, but I was clever again in my listing, as you’ll see…
I always hate to guess that a dress will fit another doll unless I have that doll on hand to try it on. I can look at some measurements but sometimes the measurements I need aren’t disclosed. Like Joy said, lots of Patsy’s things fit the My Meadow Dumplings dolls, but they have spread out fingers so I’m not sure. I do have one on order but it will be late Spring before she arrives.
I’ve been very fortunate to have sold things like I have… Many people who sew have that let down all the time when they list something! I am very blessed by the customers who buy from me.
I am going to take tomorrow off and try to get my tree decorated. I have the Nutcrackers out and the tree up, but that’s all!
Thanks Marilyn,
Have a great weekend, and YOU stay warm! Is your cold gone?
Blessings ,Jeanne
The finishing touch is just what she needed and it did test your patience but you always stick with it until you make it look perfect. The little cape is just what she needed for this time of year. Another wonderful ensemble !
Almost finished shopping…have to be done because next week is a knee replacement. Maybe I can get some cookies made too. Have fun at your couples party…that always looks like fun.